Is parenting worthwhile? As someone who has survived a severe form of postpartum depression – postpartum psychosis, I can honestly tell you that I live my life as a parent with a deep sense of appreciation for the craft of motherhood. When you’ve reached the point on the verge of losing everything, it never entirely leaves your consciousness. It makes me extremely grateful for the place we’re at now as a family. If you missed my story you can read it here.
10 Reasons to Be Grateful as a Parent
1. When my son says “I love you mommy” and I know he’s not just saying it – he means it with the depths of his little soul. He looks at me adoringly and plants a big wet one on me. Gets me every time.
2. When I pick him up from daycare and he comes running into my arms, ecstatic to see me and tell me all about his day. He can barely catch his breath he needs to spill all of the day’s events right then and there.
3. Reading him a bedtime story at night is such a treat. My husband often take this job but when he’s away and mommy gets a turn I relish in his warm little body snuggled up beside mine as I read to him and he interjects with sound effects and the parts he’s memorized.
4. When he’s kind to others. It makes me feel like I’m doing something right when he’s so concerned with the feelings of others and is truly empathetic to their hurt. He is already a great friend and his big heart makes me a proud mama.
5. Seeing him with his grandparents. There is something about the special bond between a little boy and his grandparents. My son is lucky enough to have 4 sets of grandparents: my mom and stepdad, my dad and stepmom, my husband’s dad, and my husband’s mom and stepdad. This little guy couldn’t be more loved.
6. The unabated excitement of a preschooler. I love seeing his eyes almost pop out of his head at even the smallest bit of news. We’re going to the park? AMAZING! You got me a 50 cent candy? DELIGHTFUL! The outside light bulb color is now red! MIND = BLOWN!
7. Seeing my little playing man with his dad is about the best thing I can imagine (and not just because it actually gives me a moment to sit down myself). I love the way they play that is so different from the interactions C has with me. Their play is loud and tumbling. C loves it and I just love taking it all in.
8. When he busts out in a fit of giggles I just can’t help but join in. His laugh warms my heart from the inside out. It’s so pure and innocent. It’s not for show. It’s pure delight erupting from his joyful spirit.
9. Speaking of laughter, his sense of humor is so on par with my own. Slapstick comedy gets him every time. His perfectly timed quips often bring down the house. Once when my dad was visiting he was talking to C about taking him fishing. C says, “But grandpa I don’t have a fishing rod!” My dad responded, “Oh I have a big fishing rod!” Without missing a beat, C says, “That’s what she said.” Oh boy….
10. The every day. All the things I dreamed about before I had a child are the moments that make parenting worth it to me. The evening walks, the playing at the park, the Sunday drives, the late night snuggles – this is my happy place.
I can barely remember what life was like before I became a parent. Sometimes I try especially hard to remember what I did with all my money before I had to pay for daycare (!). I can no longer picture my life without him, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the joy I’ve experienced since I’ve become a mom. Is parenthood worthwhile? Without a doubt.
The Good Enuf Mommy
This post is part of the TAKE TIME Blog Hop. Our November theme is: GRATITUDE. Join us every Tuesday in November and link up your posts! Click the graphic to join!
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You are at a grocery store with your spirited toddler. He decides he wants out of the cart immediately to run free and uninhibited around the store. Do you:
a) wrestle him to stay in the cart as a loud tantrum ensues
b) let him wander close to you as long as you can keep an eye on him
c) try to get him to hold onto the cart beside you
d) abandon the shopping trip altogether and head for the car
Love this 🙂 I adore book-time snuggles as well!
I love this post. It is so true, we tend to take the little, everyday, things for granted. Thanks for the reminder that these are the moments we will miss one day <3
"That's what she said" too funny!! Your little guy sounds like such a sweet, caring little one! I love it when my kids are loving to Family-it makes me feel like we're doing it right too. So many things to be grateful for!!
Such a great reminder to be grateful for the little things.
Our little people bring so much joy and unexpected awesomeness into our lives.
Blessings,
Emily
This had me teary, laughing, and nodding the whole way through!!! I want to meet C reading this (not that I didn't want to before). And wholeheartedly agree, seeing my daughter show kindness to others is the greatest affirmation I can receive ❤️
Ha – thanks so much Tarynn!
Absolutely! Thanks for reading!
It's the best!
He was on my scope the other day giving kisses and hugs to everyone! Ha ha! Thanks so much my friend!
Absolutely!
Thank you for sharing! Sometime I get caught up in the overwhelming moments and this is the stuff I have to remind myself of. Wouldn't trade them for the world 🙂
Such awesome special moments!
Such a beautiful reminder to all parents to be grateful for the little things. It can be so hard some days to find that string of gratitude to hold onto, but it is always there ready and waiting. My children have taught me what true love really is…and for that I am forever thankful.
Hearing "I love you" is the best! I also get so much out of seeing my girls praying:)
Loving this post!! Thanks for reminding me to enjoy the little things while I can!
I absolutely love this post! I adore when my kids tell me they love me, when I hear them giggling, and how tightly they squeeze me in a hug. Those moments are so priceless!
Love this. In the day to day busyness, I often forget to look for these moments. Thank you for the reminder.
It is so important to be grateful for the little, wonderful things in life. I think it is one of the best things in the world when my son shows kindness and compassion. It makes me feel like I did a good job parenting.
Aw, those are great 🙂 I think it's super important to take a moment to appreciate what we have in life!
I relate to so many of these!
C is such a sweet wee soul. xo
This is such a sweet post!! I enjoyed ready this so much because I have a daughter I can relate!! Thanks for sharing this :))
I love watching/listening to my kids with my husband too. Just warms my heart!
These moments seem even more special now than ever. Wonderful post and a great reminder! xoxo
I love the I love you's! My son does seem very genuine when he tells me. Just this am he he got up and walked straight to me and told me he loved me. I have older kids and it doesn't come out as natural and genuine. Somewhere sadly they lose it. Thank you for pointing out areas to appreciate that I may have overlooked.
Beautiful.. there are so many moments throughout the day to be thankful for if we just take a moment to realize them!
Thank you so much!
Thanks Shann! I totally agree!
Aw that is one of my favorite moments too!!
Absolutely! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks Rose! I think they may not say it as much but they mean it even more when they do!
This is such a wonderful post! My son is two and with a new baby he has been having some tough times adjusting, but there are still those sweet moments that make having two worth it.
What a great reminder to stop and appreciate the moments. I love watching my kids play..love when they giggle and tell me they love me. It's so special!
What a great post – it's so nice to read this and focus on the beautiful points of parenting. Sometimes I get too caught up in what isn't great and I don't take the time to remember the fun and comforting moments that come along as well. My girls are now past the pre-school age but most of these are still relevant for me and them. Thanks for this post. 😀
This is so beautiful. SOmetimes simply taking the time to recognize those moments in our lives helps to put things into perspective. Love this … I think my best moment would be my Kiddies laughter…those belly laughs are like no other!
This is so awesome. It really is the little things in parenthood that count. Sounds like you have a beautiful family.
This is so sweet. I agree, it's the small moments that make this whole gig worth it! I love hearing my son giggle, or when my daughter gets off the school bus and lights up when she sees me. Or watching my kids play together or hug each other. Simple things, but they melt my heart. Love this post!
I am with you on these! I love the little giggles, sometimes it makes it hard to keep a straight face.
What a great post! I love hearing about the way a mother loves her children, it is so darn refreshing and uplifting to know that other people out there enjoy those little moments like I do! I thought you nailed all your simple moments and it was very enjoyable. I'm happy that whatever choices you took as a parent they seem to be working out ten fold! Thank you for sharing and look very forward to more! 😀
This is so sweet <3! I love them all, but especially #4 because my daughter is so sweet and it makes me feel like my husband and I are doing some right.
Oh the giggles! I love them too, and like you, I can't help but join in…little kid's laughter is just so contagious 🙂 These are absolutely beautiful sentiments. It's a great reminder of the little things in parenting and how quickly time flies with our children. Thanks for sharing them on Manic Mondays! So glad I found your post there.
Hope you have a good one!
What a wonderful post. Had to tweet it and spread the spirit of gratitude. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Parenting =D
This is such a sweet little post. Our little man is only 2.5 months but it makes me smile when I think about how much there is to look forward to as he grows older. Those little smiles are truly everything! Thank you for posting!
What a wonderful post. My absolute favorite is when the kids have a fit of the giggles. The joy is contagious.