At times, becoming a mother feels like learning to read. We recognize letters and try to sound out words, but sometimes we have no idea what we are doing.
We begin by learning the ABCs of motherhood: diaper changing, late night feedings, and rocking an infant to sleep. Then we move on to more challenging lessons such as managing temper tantrums and helping our children get along with others. Just as a child slowly learns to read difficult words, as mothers we eventually begin to juggle a little more and increase in our abilities.
After embarking on the mothering journey for the sixth time, I recognized that just as I try to be patient with a child sounding out an unfamiliar word, I needed my children to be patient with me as I tried to slowly sound out how life should flow with six small children.
Each day as I’ve practiced caring for my children, I’ve realized that although it takes a lot of effort–and some days run more smoothly than others–I can care for six children. In the beginning of my mothering journey, I couldn’t have cared for six children. I’ve reached this point as I have practiced mothering over many days, weeks, and years.
And just like a child who one magical day realizes that he can read, our days of mothering glitter with moments when we realize that we do understand the joy of motherhood. And we stop and recognize how far we really have come.
The skills we have gained in motherhood are invaluable. They create and shape us into women we never could have become if we hadn’t embarked on the learning adventure of motherhood.
QUESTION: What progress have you made in your journey as a mother?
CHALLENGE: Take time to think about what lessons you need to focus on learning at this point in your mothering career.
Images provided by Tasha Bradshaw.
I do feel like I have made progress. I’m too tired to figure out how right now 🙂 But I sure hope that in a few more years I will feel a bit more like I know what I am doing 🙂