So beautiful, Stacy. I grew up on a farm in southern Minnesota, and now live in western Montana, which we often drive across to visit family back home. I can picture you moving through your seasons and it brings back wonderful childhood memories. The mom hat will always be there for you to wear. Sometimes days go by without it donning my head, and it has changed color and texture and size over the decades. But it consistently is my favorite to proudly wear.
By the end of reading, I was in tears. This fall I will be in the same season, both of my kids in school full time after 8 years. I’ve been patiently waiting for my life to open back up to me, my days less consumed by needs of others. I have all the same questions and I so badly want to rewrite the past and wish I had walked through early motherhood with more grace and intention. We’re in this together, friend! It will be different, hard in new ways but beautiful at the same time.
I am crying with you! It’s so hard to catch up to our kids growing… my oldest turns 11 next month and it’s the first birthday he hasn’t had a list of toys or wants… it’s a strange and surreal feeling. And I know what you mean about glancing at your kid through the rear view mirror and being shocked with how mature they suddenly appear!
At bedtime tonight, my 5-year-old (my oldest) said almost the same thing to me: “But I don’t want to live somewhere else when I grow up. I want to live with you and Daddy forever!” And I smiled to myself knowing how fleeting that is. As someone a few years behind you in motherhood, I loved reading this. It’s so valuable to hear from a perspective a little down the road from me. Reminds me to live exactly where I am, which is not my natural bent.🙃
This is so so good, Stacy. ❤️ I am also struggling with how my motherhood is changing. My kids just don’t need me the same way they used to, which of course is the whole point, but still! It stings.
This is all so familiar to me. ❤️ In my experience, sometimes it will feel like rain, sometimes like harvest, and sometimes like a hail storm. And often: all three at once!
Love this Stacy 💛💛
Thanks, Molly!
Love this, Stacy!
Thanks, Laura!
So beautiful, Stacy. I grew up on a farm in southern Minnesota, and now live in western Montana, which we often drive across to visit family back home. I can picture you moving through your seasons and it brings back wonderful childhood memories. The mom hat will always be there for you to wear. Sometimes days go by without it donning my head, and it has changed color and texture and size over the decades. But it consistently is my favorite to proudly wear.
Thank you, Ellen! This is such a kind comment. I love hearing about motherhood from the “other” side.
By the end of reading, I was in tears. This fall I will be in the same season, both of my kids in school full time after 8 years. I’ve been patiently waiting for my life to open back up to me, my days less consumed by needs of others. I have all the same questions and I so badly want to rewrite the past and wish I had walked through early motherhood with more grace and intention. We’re in this together, friend! It will be different, hard in new ways but beautiful at the same time.
Thank you, Lauren! It’s nice to know that many of us have the same feelings. As hard as they might be.
I’m so glad that you captured and shared these thoughts, Stacy. Gorgeously stated and completely relatable.
Thanks so much, Adrienne.
“I’ll keep wearing my mom hat, which I’ll sometimes use to hide my tears.” 🥲🥲 Really enjoyed this, Stacy!
So good Stacy!
Thanks, Kym!
I am crying with you! It’s so hard to catch up to our kids growing… my oldest turns 11 next month and it’s the first birthday he hasn’t had a list of toys or wants… it’s a strange and surreal feeling. And I know what you mean about glancing at your kid through the rear view mirror and being shocked with how mature they suddenly appear!
11 seems so big! (My oldest turns 11 in September.) I keep going through waves of feeling fine and then emotional again. Haha.
Same here!
At bedtime tonight, my 5-year-old (my oldest) said almost the same thing to me: “But I don’t want to live somewhere else when I grow up. I want to live with you and Daddy forever!” And I smiled to myself knowing how fleeting that is. As someone a few years behind you in motherhood, I loved reading this. It’s so valuable to hear from a perspective a little down the road from me. Reminds me to live exactly where I am, which is not my natural bent.🙃
It is not my natural bent either. Haha. Thanks for reading, Allie!
Amen, friend, to so much of this. And how are our pandemic babies about to turn 5?! Loved reading your beautiful words tonight. ❤️
Thanks, Melissa! I know, it's so crazy they are turning 5!!
Loved reading this perspective!
Thanks, Amber!
This is so so good, Stacy. ❤️ I am also struggling with how my motherhood is changing. My kids just don’t need me the same way they used to, which of course is the whole point, but still! It stings.
Thanks, Erin. It is hard when they don't need us in the same ways. :(
Love this and the frame of “what hat are you wearing” and the reality that us moms always have that hat on. ❤️
Thanks, Dani!!
This is all so familiar to me. ❤️ In my experience, sometimes it will feel like rain, sometimes like harvest, and sometimes like a hail storm. And often: all three at once!
Ooh... good to know! I imagine it will feel that way!
“The unknowns pelt me in the gut.” Ooof! I feel this! Beautiful writing and so much to think about.
Thank you, Fay.