Recently, I have been reading a lot about the sadness associated with the beginning of a new school year all of the letting go it requires. I am not there yet, but oh my, I can tell you I will be a wreck. Yes, I will be happy that my little man is growing up, and is heading on to places that will help him develop as a person, but there is always a sense of sadness when our children begin a new stage in their lives.
The truth is that parenting is filled with these moments of melancholy. When we gave birth to our beautiful children we all knew parenting wasn’t going to be easy, and that it would have many tough moments. But I know I personally didn’t expect being a parent to be such a mixed bag of emotions. That with every big (and little) accomplishment or stage our child enters there would be sadness in letting go.
When Squish was six weeks old he had already grown out of his 0-3 month clothes.(He never fit in newborn clothes being 10 lbs 2 oz at birth.) In a mix of postpartum emotions, I found myself crying as I packed up these clothes. I posted on Facebook something to the effect of “I didn’t realize the simple act of packing up clothes could be so sad.” My mother sent me a message that day that has stuck with me through every happy/sad moment, here are the central parts of that letter.
One of the hardest things about being a mother is that every day is another goodbye – the old adage about the best two gifts you can give your children are roots and wings is really true. Only no one said the wings part would be so hard, especially if you have worked hard on the roots part!
All of the benefits of motherhood are gifts – like little hands on my face and the looks of absolute adoration. Not to mention the knowledge that my first little girl has grown to be healthy and kind, and is now a loving mother because of the “Letting go” I did.
~my mom.
The roots and wings adage has been something I try to remember at the times when I find myself saddened over moments that I should be celebrating. Moments like packing away old cloths, Squish’s first birthday, the moment he started walking, and I am sure I will feel the same twinge in the pit of my stomach when my “baby” starts school.
For now I will keep reminding myself that as a parent I will continue to give my child to great gifts of roots and wings. I will take joy the gifts of little hands, slobbery kisses, and his big blue eyes looking up at me saying “mama” will be the rewards I get for letting go and giving my baby wings to continue to grow into the amazing little man he is quickly becoming!
(That and the fact that at almost 29 I still need my mother on a pretty regular basis, so there is hope that my Squish isn’t going anywhere for a long time.)
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LOVE this post! It is so fitting for me right now because of going back to work and everything:(
I never saw a picture of itsy bitsy squish, oh my goodness, soooo cute! Now I definitely see why you call him squishy.
Oh my goodness that first picture is so cute! I have a hard time letting go. I want to be able to be there for my daughter always and make sure she is OK. I know she has to learn to do this, but I still think that children are so little and that there is time for all of that in the future. But I also know that she needs to learn these skills and socialize so as sad as it may be I have to let go a little. Thank you fotr your support on losing the weight! Have a great night!
Mama Hen
I love this post too! So sweet and so true. He's adorable!
He's too cute! I know I am going to be such a wreck when Emma goes off to school! My plan is to just keep having babies so there's always one here with me!
Oh so true!
There are those moments where you just sit back and marvel- my little baby… is now reading to me, sharing thoughtful sentiments and sneaking my lipgloss…
🙂
Oh you are so spot on!! I have had a few of those letting go moments recently and though they always come with a few (sometimes more) tears, they are often replaced by something that is worth enjoying just as much. Nevertheless, you will miss the things that you just let go of. It sucks and yet is so beautiful at the same time.
HRH Mommy
http://mformommy.blogspot.com
I understand! My daughter is starting pre school this year and it's so hard to let go and let her be her own person! It's so crazy that time is flying.
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http://theartsymom.tk
I love what your mother said. It is so true! I know what you mean about it being hard to let go. We can't wait for our children to do this and that (like walking and talking). But once they do we are reminded of the way they used to be. It is very sad but very happy at the same time.
One of my friends recently went through her daughter going away to college. It was one of the hardest things she’s ever done, and yet she was so proud that her daughter was growing into adulthood so wonderfully–definitely a mixed set of emotions, but she said it’s worth it.
Oh I know. I haven’t been a mom long – but it has already changed me in so many ways. Thank you for your kind comment and sharing! 🙂