And you know what? I wouldnāt trade it for the world.
So I parent with urgency .
And when my little one looks up at me with those eyes and says, "I love you, Mommy," I donāt hear a clock ticking. mature mom
I donāt mourn the nights I lost at clubs. I donāt envy the spontaneous trips my childless friends take. Iāve had my spontaneity. Iāve had my late nights. Iāve had my selfish seasons. And you know what
You are a testament to the fact that life doesnāt follow a script. That some doors only open when you have the strength to walk through them. That your child didnāt get a tired, burnt-out, uncertain version of you. And when my little one looks up at
There is a grief that comes with this, too. A quiet, private one.
I say "I love you" like itās punctuation. I take the video even when Iām embarrassed to be the oldest one at the recital. I sit in the floor even though my knees will hate me tomorrow. I say yes to the cookies. I say yes to the cuddles. I say no to the unnecessary stress.