I had the thought recently that someday there won't be a baby in our house and I'll be doing other stuff. Part of me's like, naaah, that'll never happen because I will keep getting babies. And most of me agrees with that part of me. But another segment of myself is like, no, the babies will grow up and you will be like those moms of teens who go have coffee or something, with nobody crushing crackers on the table or hugging strangers who happen to be standing nearby.
I hate that idea. I mean, I will probably like it then, but right now the thought of my kids growing up fills me with terror. Brynn's going to be 5 in 3 days, and I am already weepy about it. I don't like this. I think I might be the worst mother-in-law ever, like that creepy I'll Love You Forever mom, just sitting quietly by my adult child's bed, watching him sleep. I fear I might have a hard time letting go. Really, I'm a reasonable person, and I'll be fine. But this turning 5 and 6 thing is hard. I can't imagine college, or them getting married or something, how that might feel.
But who am I, anyway? I mean, my whole life has been them, making meals, changing diapers, just parenting. So who will I be when this part is over? And is it okay if I'm not her yet? I'm 33, and I don't feel like I've started my life, or the part of my life that is separate from raising kids. Some people do both, you know, work jobs or ministry or write books or act, and raise kids simultaneously. And maybe I'll do some of that when (if) we get past the physically demanding younger years.
I'm happy just being with my kids, teaching them, feeding them, loving them. I know I am raising world-changers and it's meaningful, that all the mundanities are making a mosaic that will be extraordinary. Sometimes, though, there's this "stuff in the basement", this internal push to change the world, the grownup world, to be an explosive impact, to do something now, and I don't know what to do with that, how to make it all fit together, how to find the discipline to be everything I'm supposed to be. And besides, that wars against my belief that being "just a mom" is enough. Maybe it is, maybe it's not. Maybe it varies.
How do I hold on and let go, trust and protect, shelter and release and grow personally at the same time? What does God think we are, superhuman?
Once I figure it out, I'll let you know. It might be a little while.
Friday, February 10, 2012
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SIGH. so...many...good...questions. thanks for articulating them, they've been in my heart, too.
ReplyDeleteBeing on the other end now, with all 4 mostly grown, I can say it's still a veritable whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, just in reverse. You look back and miss the times that, when you were in them, you looked forward to where you are now. There's no pleasing us! :) Just so glad He understands our hearts and fickle emotions.
ReplyDeleteJenn's Mom
I've been doing this for almost 15 years (the mom thing) and I can honestly say there were many years that I was absolutely horrified at the thought of not having babies. I don't feel that way anymore, Pierce is 5 and he is the last. I'm fine with it. Excited even, about the future. I love my kids and love being a parent, and I love the thought of the future that lies ahead when they are grown. I have found that God gives me desires to match the season of life I'm in - He's good like that. :)
ReplyDeleteMy kids are all grown up with kids of their own. I like my life; I am blessed, but I still miss those toddler years. I miss the cuddling. I miss the naked little bodies running through the house before & after bath time. I miss the way they would giggle about the silliest thing. I miss their cute little toes and the way they wanted to hold my hand when we went out on errands. I miss the fact that they once thought I was smartest person in whole wide world!
ReplyDeleteNow I have grandkids! I am now the smartest grandma in the whole world! And on occasion I have the cutest little naked babies running through my house before & after bath time.
Life is still good. Do not fear. God is good.