And the Tears Fell

He awoke in the middle of the night and was having a difficult time falling back to sleep. I held him and sang to him. Together we rocked in the chair. I took a deep breath and just soaked in the moment. Holding him. Comforting him. A flood of emotions came over me.

And the tears fell.

Tears of happiness, tears of joy, tears that encompass the feeling of being a mom.

 

How I have this little person who loves me so much and depends on me for everything. How he is growing up so fast and is no longer a baby.

But even still, he needs me to rock him to sleep sometimes. And oh how I hang on to that.

For I know one day he will outgrow it.

He will become more independent. And need me less and less.

But until then, I relish the cuddle time.

Especially in the middle of the night.

Update added on August, 4, 2017: I wrote the above post 5 years ago after reflecting on a long night with my oldest son. He was only 2 years old at the time. Sometimes parenting can be overwhelming. Sometimes we wish the moments away. Nights can be long, and they can be lonely. We can feel powerless and helpless.

At the same time, we know that our time with our children is only temporary. They are constantly changing and growing. Their needs are different and unique.

I find it’s a balance between cherishing the moments and battling through the struggles. Let’s take time to embrace the sleepless nights and enjoy the cuddles while they last.

I have a sprinkling of parenting posts here at Inspiration Laboratories. As a science educator, I I write mostly about kids’ activities. But as a mom, there are times when I feel the need to share something with you. Parenting struggles are real. I find it easier when I have a community to surround me. How about you? My friend, Dayna, from Lemon Lime Adventures has written a book celebrating our super kids. (You can pre-order it through my affiliate link.) The Superkids Activity Guide will transform the way you think about your child’s behaviors, connect on a whole new level, and discover the confidence that comes along with understanding what it takes to raise a superkid. Read the Superkids manifesto below and then join the Super Kids movement. I’ll be sharing more about The Superkids Activity Guide soon!