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Viral Post on the Early Days of Motherhood That Will Leave You in Tears
by Lisa Thompson
October 19, 2023
“Look at her nestled into her mother. I could cry endlessly.” Emily Johnson, author, speaker, and mother of three, penned what might be the most emotionally stirring post about motherhood you’ll ever come across. It quickly gained traction on Facebook, becoming a viral sensation for its heartfelt relatability. Grab your tissues; you’re going to need them.
Emily shares, “This is a photo of me in a hospital bed from 2015, just hours after giving birth to my second child, Noah. The ‘big kids’ came to meet him and climbed into bed with me. I stumbled upon this picture yesterday and was overwhelmed with tears for every little one in this moment.”
She vividly recalls her then three-year-old, Mia, who believed that the new baby belonged to her and was upset that she couldn’t hold him. “She was still in diapers and had just moved out of her crib because another little one was joining the family.”
“Look at her cozied up next to her mom. I could cry and never stop.” And oh, how we can relate.
Then there’s the eldest, Lucas, just turned five and “the most cheerful, joyful little boy.” Emily reminisces about his small stature, extensive vocabulary, and the boundless love that filled their home when their family expanded. “I kissed him a thousand times a day.”
“The tears for my children come rushing in. I can almost feel their tiny bodies leaning against me, their soft hair and baby skin. I remember exactly how they felt in my arms. They were my greatest joy. I can hardly bear to look at their faces now.”
That hits hard for this mom of a fourth grader and second grader. Each day, it seems, they move further away from their baby days and closer to adulthood. It tugs at my heartstrings in ways I never anticipated when they were little and climbing all over me. Back then, I was so exhausted that I would have done anything for a moment of peace, yet now, my heart aches — and Emily gets it.
“But most of my tears are for that young mama. She was only 28 and just hours post-delivery with her second child in four years. She was sore, fatigued, and recovering, yet she gathered her big babies into bed to snuggle and read to them, ensuring they knew they were still her whole world.”
Those early years can be difficult to articulate, but Emily captures it beautifully. No matter how drained you feel at the end of the day, even after childbirth, they still need you. Although it feels overwhelming at the moment, those days are precious when viewed through the eyes of a mother with older kids.
Emily describes the experience of bringing home those three little ones and the challenges that lay ahead. “There was never enough of her to go around, but goodness, did she try.”
She then reaches out to “the young moms.” “I see you. I remember.”
Emily recounts the years spent nursing, changing diapers, slicing grapes, and making trips to the store with three kids in tow — often told her hands were “full.”
But most importantly, she recalls the anxiety.
“The world can feel like a terrifying place, filled with dangers for your little ones, and it’s up to you to keep them safe from everything. It can be exhausting to imagine every possible scenario, and you are their only protector.”
Despite the overwhelming worries that come with motherhood, it’s essential to recognize that you’re actually succeeding at this journey — simply by loving them. That’s the message Emily wants to convey to her younger self and to moms facing similar challenges: “You are doing a remarkable job. Your children are deeply loved, and they know it.”
Even when you feel utterly drained, you are laying the groundwork for a lifetime of love. “They are safe with you, cherished beyond words. This comes not from the grand gestures you may think matter, but from the countless moments you love them well. That’s it. All your mistakes and meltdowns won’t change that. You’re raising healthy, cherished, secure kids — and it matters. It lasts. It’s the air they breathe from that first day in the hospital, and you can’t take that away.”
Emily concludes with words of encouragement every new mom needs to hear: “There isn’t much downtime, but all of this matters, and you matter. This work is so important. I’m cheering you on from the other side. I’ll save a seat for you. You will make it.”
For more insights on motherhood and family, you can check out our post on at-home insemination kits here. Also, if you’re looking for additional resources on pregnancy and home insemination, consider visiting Hopkins Medicine. Lastly, for an authoritative take on motherhood, visit Modern Family Blog.
In summary, the early days of motherhood are filled with both challenges and joys. While it may feel overwhelming at times, the love you give your children lays a solid foundation for their future. Cherish those moments, knowing that every bit of effort counts.