Parenthood
November 24, 2010
If you’ve ever:
…gotten a lump in your throat while you heard the heartbeat of your baby;
…unwrapped your newly swaddled baby, completely out of curiosity;
…held the feet of an infant to your lips;
…gotten tears on your baby’s head in the middle of the night while feeding him or her;
…been so tired you handed your spouse a sippy cup instead of a beer;
…researched the cure for croup, at 3 a.m.;
…picked a tiny nose with your pinky finger;
…stumbled over your words, as you explained something so very big to someone so very small;
…wished with all your might for moments forever lost in time;
…surprisingly realized there were tears on your cheeks;
…paced the halls of your home, mentally willing a fever to break;
…wondered how it was possible for a little person to eat so much;
…wondered how it was possible for a little person to eat so little;
…discussed growth spurts, cradle cap, and the colour, consistency and smell of poop;
…were surprised at how long his little legs were getting as you re-tucked him in, before retiring for the night;
…felt warm vomit down your back as you try to calm your frightened child;
…laid awake and wondered if you could have done something better;
…heard 18 excuses why he doesn’t want to go to bed;
…bought them new shoes despite the fact you’ve had yours for 3 years running;
…baked 32 cupcakes at 10:30 at night;
(after doing a milk run in your pajamas);
…filled out a field trip form, only to worry about all the things that could go wrong;
…volunteered for that field trip to put your own mind at ease;
…stayed by the window after allowing her to bike to the variety store;
…talked candidly about sex and drugs, all the while nursing knots in your tummy;
…felt your heart soar along with his when he saved the game;
…been mad at someone else’s kid for hurting your kid’s feelings;
…taught them how to cook a meal/do a load of laundry/long division/anything, and somehow not ripped your hair out;
…been more excited than ever for Christmas morning, just to see their faces;
…spoiled them rotten when you got a few extra bucks;
…made her favorite meal, just because;
…tusseled his hair, and pulled him back for a kiss and a hug when he squirmed away;
…laid awake at night and willed time to slow down;
…thought you’d never, ever feel love like this – so raw and powerful – leaving you so very vulnerable…
…then you’re doing it right.
If you liked this, than you might also like my Parenting Manifesto!
November 24th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Beautiful and oh so true!
[Reply]
Karen Sugarpants Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 12:15 am
Thank you!
[Reply]
November 24th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
This is beautiful, and something I’m going to try to remember to come back and read when I’m having one of those moments of insecurity and I think I’m screwing it all up!
[Reply]
Karen Sugarpants Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 12:15 am
I’ll have to come back on my bad days too.
[Reply]
November 24th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Thanks, I needed that. Trying to get 4 kids to bed tonight & the littlest one, comes running out for the 10th time & says, “I need to tell you something” Me: angrily, “what??” Kid: “I want to tell you something…… I love you” How do they know when to do that???
[Reply]
Karen Sugarpants Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 12:14 am
Oh my goodness – my guys do that too! They have Love Radar or something.
[Reply]
monica peapod Reply:
December 7th, 2010 at 9:47 am
@Shelagh, my kidlets do this all the time. it’s precious and painful all at once.
monica peapod´s last words of wisdom ..Life With a “God Margin”
[Reply]
November 25th, 2010 at 2:12 am
Nailed it. I think I might print that out and stick it somewhere obvious.
Zoeyjane´s last words of wisdom ..This is not what poverty in Vancouver looks like
[Reply]
Karen Sugarpants Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
@Zoeyjane, I think I should to. Yanno, for those times I *am* pulling my hair out.
[Reply]
November 25th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Oh Karen! This post made me cry. So beautiful!!!
jess; [the bottle chronicles]´s last words of wisdom ..Notes to Nolan- 19 Months
[Reply]
Karen Sugarpants Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
@jess; [the bottle chronicles], Oh Jess – you’re adorable.
[Reply]
November 25th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Perfection.
Miss Britt´s last words of wisdom ..The Happiest
[Reply]
Karen Sugarpants Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
@Miss Britt, thanks Britt.
[Reply]
November 25th, 2010 at 10:22 am
This makes me wish I were a mommy blogger.
Muskrat´s last words of wisdom ..sunday morning breaking down
[Reply]
Karen Sugarpants Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
@Muskrat, You’re not?
[Reply]
November 25th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Thank you!
I started the morning feeling grumpy and tired. Now, me and my tearstained cheeks are rushing off to kiss some babies!
mamarolf´s last words of wisdom ..Yeah Ok- I see what youre talking about
[Reply]
Karen Sugarpants Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
@mamarolf, awwww – enjoy!
[Reply]
November 25th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
What a fabulous piece to read this morning, as I was up making cupcakes past 10:30 last night. They’re my little guys favorite and I knew he wouldn’t want pie today. I’m truly thankful to you
xoxo
Andie
[Reply]
Karen Sugarpants Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
@Andie, were you really? that’s so coincidental!
[Reply]
Andie Reply:
November 26th, 2010 at 11:11 am
@Karen Sugarpants, Yup… and I actually discovered that 11pm cupcakes aren’t so bad because at least I can eliminate the normal 30 min stirring “help” I get from him during the day.
Andie´s last words of wisdom ..Turkey Day Quest for Wine
[Reply]
November 25th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Those days seem so far away from me now, and yet I’m all teary that they’re going to come around again very soon. Just in a different way.
Lisa´s last words of wisdom ..On Patience and the Crazy
[Reply]
Karen Sugarpants Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
@Lisa, Oh I know buddy.
I’m glad I’m writing this stuff down so I will have it years from now and can look back and remember just how fast it all went!
[Reply]
November 25th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
thanks for this.
jess´s last words of wisdom ..Maurice – Robin
[Reply]
Karen Sugarpants Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
@jess, t’was my pleasure.
[Reply]
November 25th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
yes. yes. yes. yes.yes
<3
[Reply]
Karen Sugarpants Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
@Rachel,
thanks!
[Reply]
November 25th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
I just love this. Love.
Colleen´s last words of wisdom ..Grace in Small Things – 100
[Reply]
Karen Sugarpants Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
@Colleen, thanks Colleen!
[Reply]
November 26th, 2010 at 9:37 am
What a wonderful, wonderful post. So grateful you wrote it and shared.
[Reply]
November 27th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Oh, Lord, how I love this.
Barnmaven´s last words of wisdom ..Make it stop
[Reply]
November 28th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Love. You pretty much nailed it.
punkinmama´s last words of wisdom ..Review- Petz Nursery 2
[Reply]
November 29th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
This is just perfect.
Issa´s last words of wisdom ..Tales from a Dial-Up weekend
[Reply]
November 29th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Oh, I just love this. Perfect.
Lisa´s last words of wisdom ..Introducing Nuts Earlier
[Reply]
December 13th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Favorited. <3 You made me cry. :')
[Reply]
January 27th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
This is beautiful. As I sit here sniffling I am so grateful I stumbled upon your post. Sometimes I can’t help lose the forest for the trees. Thanks for reminding me of the precious things.
[Reply]
January 27th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Love this post! So glad I stumbledupon it! Thank You!!
[Reply]
February 13th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Stumbled upon this…I absolutely love it…made me laugh and cry, thanks for sharing
[Reply]
March 3rd, 2011 at 1:08 pm
this is too funny!! and so true!! how cute are you.
Natalie´s last words of wisdom ..A Day in the Life- Favorite Bargains- Blogs- Recipes- Style Tips & Mommy Moments
[Reply]
March 24th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
This is great! It made me laugh and cry too. I can relate to so many of those things
[Reply]
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Oh my goodness. This is just beautiful. Too many tears have I left on my sons head while I think of how deep my love runs for him.
Monica´s last words of wisdom ..Pay it Forward
[Reply]
April 5th, 2011 at 2:03 am
Here I am reading this at 12 in the morning, trying to get my 2 1/2 year old to get back to sleep. I guess I’m not the only one.
[Reply]
April 21st, 2011 at 1:31 pm
What a fantastic list, as I read it I found myself just nodding my head in agreement with every point. Thanks for sharing this.
I just posted an open letter to my children about what I want to teach them in life along that you might enjoy, you can find it here: http://healthyfamilyideas.com/50-things-i-hope-i-can-teach-my-children
[Reply]
April 30th, 2011 at 12:03 am
If you have ever watched the sheer poetry of you child playing piano while scanning the sheet music and been awestruck by the beauty in their face…you are where I was yesterday afternoon.
[Reply]
May 24th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
This post brought tears to my eyes — tears of joy. As a mother of 4 (3 boys and the youngest a girl), I am still learning and still feeling blessed every single time I look into their faces.
Samantha Gluck´s last words of wisdom ..Book Review – Relationships Made Easy for the Business Professional
[Reply]
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:56 pm
I’m not a mother, I am only 21, but this post was so meaningful to me. I know being a parent is hard (one of the many reasons I don’t want to have children until I’m at least in my late 20′s), but I know it’s so rewarding. I can imagine all of these things and more. I’m saving this to my computer so I can have it when, one day, I do hold a baby in my arms.
[Reply]
June 2nd, 2011 at 11:19 pm
That was just beautiful, I am a new mom of a 5 month old and it just made me so happy to think of the memories we have aready gone through and the ones I am looking forward to doing. Thank you for this beautiful piece of work.
[Reply]
June 28th, 2011 at 7:44 am
Thanks; this makes my day. I am glad I stumbledupon this.
[Reply]
August 24th, 2011 at 2:02 am
Thank a million times to whoever created this. you have my deepest respect and freindship forever.
I’m a new dad and words cannot express how wonderfully happy i found this!
[Reply]
August 29th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Fabulous – thank you!
[Reply]
August 31st, 2011 at 1:21 pm
I loved this post. As the father of five, I think I’ve hit all but a couple of these.
Thanks!
[Reply]
August 31st, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Beautiful….thank you. Makes me want to go up and tuck in my babies (8 & 10) all over again!!!
Erin´s last words of wisdom ..Special Education Adventure
[Reply]
October 6th, 2011 at 2:30 am
Just stumbled across your blog & am in love! I am your newest follower, please feel free to add your blog to my Blog Directory under the “Bloggers” tab at http://www.EcoCrazyMom.com.
Terri Babin´s last words of wisdom ..Reverse Trick or Treating
[Reply]
October 6th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
This post just made me smile in the way that only a parent could appreciate. I found you via Stumble…and will be coming back for more!
Di´s last words of wisdom ..Junior chef intimidation
[Reply]
October 7th, 2011 at 1:41 am
I’ve experienced most and patiently waiting to experience the rest. You made tears come to my eyes and gave me another little pat on the back that I’m doing okay with this crazy thing we call parenting. I’m glad to have StumbledUpon your site! Will be back.
[Reply]
October 14th, 2011 at 2:57 am
I’m not a parent. I’m a nanny and after four years raising a child alongside this family I was brought to tears remembering how many of these things I have done with him. I have held him in my arms and rocked him to sleep weeping because there is no truer love than that. I have wiped snotty noses and raised him above my head only to have him drool direcly onto my face. I just left this family to pursue my career, but this post brought out some very bittersweet feelings. Thank you.
[Reply]
October 25th, 2011 at 5:39 am
Oh I love this!
I was laughing and crying while reading this. Just beautiful. 
[Reply]
November 20th, 2011 at 4:35 am
Simply beautiful, like watching a sunset.
[Reply]