Parenting
Life Lessons
Cherishing Moments
An elderly couple reminds a mother to appreciate the fleeting moments of raising young children.
Parents of toddlers frequently hear the advice to “enjoy every minute” from those who have walked the path before them. While this message is well-meaning, there are certainly days that are, quite frankly, overwhelming — because raising little ones is definitely not for the faint of heart.
Recently, one mother shared an enlightening interaction she had with a senior couple during a particularly hectic outing, which served as a poignant reminder about living in the moment.
Emily Johnson, who runs the Instagram account @sweetfamilyjourney, recounted her experience during a chaotic family visit to a nearby café. Johnson was struggling to manage three restless kids—one was crying, another was racing around, and she was attempting to clean up a spilled drink. “Part of me wanted to laugh but another part wanted to collapse and cry while yelling ‘Help me, I’m worn out and I just can’t MOM today!’”
We’ve all had those moments. In the thick of chaos, where you’re sweating, stressed, and desperately trying to keep your kids happy—an almost impossible feat, especially in public. Amidst the turmoil, Johnson overheard an elderly man quietly say to his wife, “Those were the best days of our lives.”
“I turned around and asked, ‘Really?!’ The sweet elderly couple nodded and Mrs. Elderly Lady added, ‘Best by far,’” she recalled.
Suddenly, the overwhelming scene around her didn’t feel so burdensome anymore. “I wanted to freeze time because it hit me that one day my little ones will have grown up, and they won’t need me the same way anymore.”
Isn’t that a profound realization? Parents with young children are completely justified in feeling stressed and anxious. Yet, with each milestone and passing year, our kids gradually show us that in many ways, they rely on us a little less.
“It dawned on me that one day it will be my partner and I sitting in a café watching new parents with their babies, wishing our own children hadn’t grown up so fast,” Johnson reflected. “Those eight words have replayed in my mind ever since I heard them two days ago. They really struck a chord with me.”
“The elderly man’s comment has helped me view even the toughest days as a precious gift,” Johnson shared with Modern Family Blog. “It’s encouraged me to focus on living in the moment and appreciating each day, even on the hardest ones! I love that sharing this has resonated with other mothers, helping them to recognize the beauty in the challenges. We’re all in this together, and if I can inspire others to see the silver linings, it fills me with joy.”
As our children mature, the tantrums and crying fits diminish, yet the snuggles and moments of comfort do too. Watching little ones grow more independent and “easier” is truly bittersweet.
“One day, we will look back and miss all of this,” Johnson concludes. “Sure, these days can be tough, they can be testing, they can be downright challenging, but I’d wager a million bucks that they will be the best days of our lives.”
For more on embracing parenthood and the journey it entails, check out this insightful resource on pregnancy and home insemination and this post about artificial insemination kits.
Summary:
In a moment of chaos, a frazzled mom learns to cherish the challenges of raising young kids thanks to a wise comment from an elderly couple. Their advice serves as a reminder that these challenging days are fleeting and will one day be fondly remembered.