Graceful Little Honey Bee

Hold Them While You Can

by 10 Comments

Hold Them While You Can: A young mom's thought's on appreciating the little years.

Every night right before I lay my baby down in her crib, I pause and reflect on the fact that she won’t always be this little. I do my best to clear my head and stop just for a minute or two to really drink her in and etch into my memory the way she feels, smells and snuggles into my shoulder.

 

I do this because something inside of me knows that for the rest of my life I will reflect on this time and wish I could hold my baby again. Maybe it’s because I’m a second time mom and I know she won’t be little for long or maybe it’s because I’ve had strangers stop me and tell me to appreciate this time because it’s the most precious. No matter the reason, God is impressing on my heart to pause and memorize my children in this (and every) season of life.

 

I don’t want to look back and regret doing housework instead of playing cars with my son. I don’t want my arms to ache later in life because I was too busy to pick my children up while they were small enough to hold. I don’t want to waste these short precious years that God has given me with them because something on social media was more urgent than giggling with my little girl.

 

These are the desires of my heart, but not always the reality of how I live my life. I’m writing these words because I’ve had a pretty tough week struggling with my toddler. He’s definitely been testing his limits lately, but maybe he’s also crying out for his mommy’s attention. Either way, I don’t want to wish away these years for an “easier” season of life. I don’t want my children to remember me yelling and being stressed. I want them to remember me holding them and loving them. So it’s my prayer tonight that I would slow down and truly appreciate this season of life because once it’s gone I’ll probably wish it back and I don’t ever want to regret being too busy to hold my babies.

 

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  1. This is a great post. There are times when I look back and wish I would have spent more meaningful time with my kids when they were little. Now with 3 out of the 4 adults, time with them is few and far between and I find myself wishing to go back in time and do it over. You have the right perspective!
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  2. This is awesome! I'm a mom that was devastated a few years ago at the realization that I could no longer carry my son. They grow up, they need you less, they become adults. So happy to know I held them as much as I could when they were younger!
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  4. Hi Missy!! Awesome post and so very true!! That is the way I feel about my toddler son, every single day. I take everything in and keep a journal on/for him. Nice sight. I saw your post on the link up party. I followed your other sites as well :) Always nice to meet new blogging friends. Have a great week!! Cindy from www.inspirememama.com
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  5. This is beautiful, thank you for sharing. I've been thinking lately how I just need to hold my children more because they just grow up so fast. Thanks for the reminder. :)
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  6. When I had my first son my mom told me that she wishes she worried less about household duties and more about enjoying our childhood years. I am constantly reminding myself to stop and remember a clean house isn't what I want to be known for... it's being a loving and caring mother and friend! Love the post!
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