Motherhood in Three Words
Holding on very tightly while also letting go
On a walk with a friend recently, she presented a simple but profound question. I’m going to paraphrase, but it was something like “How do we show on the outside what we feel on the inside?”. At the time, we had been talking about clothing and how we show up– the expression of individuality mixed with age appropriateness and real emotion and confidence. I think the reality is, the way we feel on the inside likely struggles to show its true self. It’s not constant, not one thing, but a mixture of many things all at once and they often change from day to day or week to week. The fluctuation makes nailing down the inside and connecting to the outside complicated.
Weave this together with the ups, downs, and swirls of motherhood and then we really start getting into it. Amy Poehler on Smartless recently recounted something that someone once said to her which legit made me tear up as I was driving.
“Somebody said this to me once that I always loved, which was, parenting is like a series of short stories. So a short story starts and you think, I don't know how this story is gonna go. I don't know the characters. I don't even know what's gonna happen. And then you're in the middle of the short story and you think, man, I never want this to end.”
Each age or stage really feels exactly like that. One day, your baby is a toddler whom you recognize but also can’t quite believe that they’ve morphed into this other being– this chatty, silly person who asks a million questions and peers up at you in a way that melts every inch of your body.
Then they start screaming and crying and you wonder what in the world just happened. But then it’s all over again, back to snuggles and kisses and I love you’s.
All this followed by a surge of independence that you weren’t quite ready for and are utterly unsure of how to foster without letting go too much, but knowing you need to let go just enough for them to find their own balance.
You need to let go just enough for them to find their own balance.
Each day/week/month feels like a little episode and always ushers in a new challenge to get through. Did I really think I’d be explaining how a baby gets out of its mother’s body to my 4yr old? And how much explanation should I really include? Only to be followed up with, well how does the baby get in the uterus to begin with? Blank stare…
But, I love it (as if that were ever in question). All of it. And I do stare at my kids often and wonder how the hell did I get so lucky? (cheesy, but true)
I asked a group of moms how they would describe motherhood right now in three words. What’s beautiful about this group is that we all have one kid the same age and then the others vary. Some of us have 2 kids while others have 3 or 1 or have just had a baby. The raw beauty of the words hits.
Motherhood is truly all the things, all at once.
Messy, precious, fleeting
Exhausting, gratifying, relentless
Wonder, demanding, tender
Hysterical, fulfilling, chaotic
Whirlwind, magical, multitasking
Joy, relentless, motivating
Happy, draining, gratifying
🌪️🥴🥹
Surprising, imperfect, bittersweet
Joyful, involved, dynamic
Intentional, consuming, gratifying
Mine are: Humbling, proud, flying
(drop yours in the comments please!)
And of course, this would be nothing without a little Mother’s Day gift inspiration (to buy for yourself, gift to your mother, or send to your partner as a not so tiny hint).
The perfect tote for schlepping all of the things
A pretty apron to add a little flare to cooking while you host or simply just cook and want to feel good while doing so
Customizable signet ring— think kids names
A watering can that doubles as decor
Ankle/wrist weights to look good and add a little extra something while you workout
Cozy spring sweater
Matching but not matching shorts
Table mats to brighten up the room
Linen napkins to use over and over again
Scarf or art, you choose
Bubble initials to add to any chain
No one can ever have too many vases
Same goes with totes. There is always something to carry
I have a thing for tulips
Little vessel to decorate your counter
A candle that also doubles as a great vase once you finish burning it
A floral table cloth of my dreams
I told you that you can never have too many bags!
One more for good measure
Hot mom suit (use code AMILLIONTABS10 at checkout towards anything from Left On Friday— they’ve got some great new linen sets, casual dresses, workout clothes)
Bolo necklace for a jeans and t-shirt day when you want a little extra
Mushroom bookends to dress up your shelves
(p.s. If you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a commission at no extra cost to you— thank you!!)