The Sweetest Mother's Day Gift!

You’ll Walk Through These Doors Alone, But I’ll Be Right Here Loving You Still

3 Minute Read

By Amanda Dayton

You'll Walk Through These Doors Alone, But I'll Be Right Here Loving You Still www.herviewfromhome.com

It hit me this morning.

I’ve been holding it together, dwelling on the positives of your swiftly approaching venture, but this morning, it hit me like a bag of bricks.

You woke up at 9:20 a.m. and found me still in bed—we slept in, recovering from a weekend spent camping with friends. You crawled in and cuddled up, your head resting on my chest like when you were a baby, my heart exploding just underneath you.

9:20 a.m.

That time means nothing to you, I know, but it is precisely the time in one short month that I will be sending you off into a brand new world without me in it.

It’s the time we’ll walk up to a door where a smiling woman will be ready to embrace you, and as heart-wrenching as it will be, we’ll have to part ways. I’ll have to let you go, and you the same.

That door, if you let it, will lead you much farther than you might expect—discovery and growth, friendship and imagination.

Preschool.

One month from today we’ll approach that daunting classroom door, my boy, but only one of us will walk through it that time.

Up until this point, we’ve spent our days doing just as we please with few exceptions.

Waking up with the sun and darting outside. Sleeping in and lounging around. Playing and exploring and learning all the while.

So this morning, it hit me.

It hit me that this is all about to change.

I find myself questioning how it could possibly be that time already.

Wasn’t it just yesterday I held you in my arms, unsure of everything but the incomparable love I had for you?

I’m going to be a bit of a wreck at first, if I’m being completely honest. It’s only natural for this mama whose heart walks around outside her body.

It’s only natural as you, my little one, learn to need me a little less.

For the record, you might be a bit of a wreck too. That, my son, is just as natural.

It’s just as natural as you embark on this unfamiliar journey without my steadfast presence in sight.

Yes, without a doubt, things are about to change for us. I’m not sure how we got here, but here we are nonetheless.

And it’s only natural.

Originally published on Motherhood Awry

So God Made a Grandmother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Order Now!

first day of school Kids preschool school

Amanda Dayton

Amanda is the mom of a strong-willed boy and wife of a husband who keeps her balanced. Her blog Motherhood Awry was inspired by life’s crazy way of doing its own thing and tossing our plans out the window. She enjoys drinking coffee, dancing like no one’s watching, and hiking. You can follow her at: Facebook - @MotherhoodAwry Instagram - @motherhoodawry

Dear Zachary, The World Is Yours…And So Am I

In: Child, Motherhood

Dear Zachary, Ever since you were born, your dad and I have taken every precaution to keep you safe. We bought the review mirrors so we could see you in the car. We had the deluxe baby monitor. There were more ER trips than I ever expected to ease your mama’s worries that your run-of-the-mill illnesses might be something other than ordinary. You always had to wear your baby Crocs in “sport mode” so they couldn’t fall off your feet as you toddled around. We covered every single outlet in the house, even the ones you had no hope of...

Keep Reading

It’s Your First Day of Preschool

In: Child, Motherhood

My dearest son, It’s your first day of preschool. Almost four years ago, I didn’t want to think about this day. I wish I could get out of the emotions I’m feeling, but it’s something nobody prepares you for. I wasn’t ready, but watching you be ready made me ready. In the way you sing your ABCs and 123s, confidently counting to 20. The way you started sharing your toys with your little sissy and teaching her colors. The way you improved so much each soccer practice and game. And the way you have asked to play again. The way...

Keep Reading

I’m Proud to Say “That Child” Is My Child

In: Child, Motherhood

Child running in field with jacket and hat on

When a new parent brings home a baby, they realize that exhaustion follows closely behind. We expect sleepless nights and diaper changes, tiny fingers clutching at ours in need. We know we’ll be needed fully and completely, and we assume that as our child grows, that need will change shape but gradually ease. We assume that, in time, we’ll find balance again. But sometimes, that balance never comes. My child is that child. The neurobiologically complex one with an IEP, an FBA, and a safety plan at school. The one who has been in and out of various therapies for...

Keep Reading

My Wild Child Teaches Me How to Be Free

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood

Little boy with toy plane smiling outside

Have you ever heard the phrase “wild child”? What comes to your mind? For me, I tend to picture a young kid running around, who just won’t sit still. Their parents always look so tired. Bless their hearts. Whenever I saw a family with a sweet, little wild child, I gave the parents an encouraging, empathetic smile, just thankful it wasn’t me. Until it was, and I was the one receiving those smiles. Bless my heart. I have a wild child. I can’t deny it, and I certainly can’t hide it. It’s just a plain and simple fact that is...

Keep Reading

I’m Holding Tight to Nine

In: Child, Motherhood, Tween

Young girl standing in ocean waves, color photo

Nine is a tenuous age–she walks a tightrope between the play of a child and the poise of a teen. I see glimpses of the baby she used to be more and more rarely, mostly while she is sleeping. The roundness comes back to her cheeks and the silken hair tangles softly around her face. When awake, she is in constant movement. Dance, gymnastics, and friends take up most of her time. So I’m holding tight to nine. Nine is where she still wants to cuddle in bed at night and talk about her day. Friend troubles, burgeoning crushes, worries...

Keep Reading

The First Day of Preschool is Hardest for the Moms

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood

The first day of Pre-K. Wow, that’s a hard one. On that first day, it starts with prolonged hugs. It progresses to tears. And it explodes with full-blown screaming as your child has to be peeled off your body, and you physically hurry for the exit while your heart lingers behind. At the end of the preschool hallway, you stop, ears straining to hear whether your child has calmed down. But it’s too hard to tell with the noise from all the other children being dropped off on their own first day of Pre-K. Pick-up should be better. Surely by...

Keep Reading

Welcome to Kindergarten, You’re about to Experience Something Great

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood

I’m sure you have plenty of mom friends who can help prepare you for the drastic life change you are about to embark on as your child enters kindergarten. Maybe they prime you with humor: “Woohoo, someone else is responsible for turning them into a decent human now!” or “Hey, no more daycare payment!” Maybe they are the nurturing sappy type: “They’ll always be your baby! They’re onto new things!” Or maybe they’re just factual: “This is part of life. They will learn so much. You need to let them go eventually.” And all of these people would be telling...

Keep Reading

First Grade Is a Big Year

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood

Little girl in dance costume walking down sidewalk, color photo

The beginning of a new school year always comes with little reminders that our babies are growing up. It’s a moment to reflect on how quickly they grow and dive into the excitement of a fresh new year. Of course, those first days are always bittersweet as they move up to a new grade, but so far, it’s been manageable. Pre-K then Kinder, I could handle those. Fun first years of school filled with play and cute little graduations. But this year, I feel like it’s getting really real. First grade! Can you believe it? How fast our babies grow....

Keep Reading

There Is Beauty in the In-Between

In: Child, Motherhood, Tween

Tween girl standing on boardwalk of beach

She’s at that in-between stage—not a young child, not a teen. She’s tall. So very tall. And a little bit gangly. But she runs like a small child, and it looks so endearingly awkward. My baby, my girl, still with the body of a child but the mind of an inquisitive adolescent. She’s curious, she’s funny, but still so young. Her humor is on our level, she gets our jokes that go over her sisters’ heads, and she makes us laugh so much. But then, she asks a question that reminds us of her precious young years. She’s still new...

Keep Reading

I Just Can’t Let Go of the Play Kitchen Yet

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood

Play kitchen set up near patio door, color photo

If there is one toy I would love to pass along, it is my children’s play kitchen. At 10 and 7 years old, it is no longer a priority toy for my daughter and son. Instead, the play kitchen has become a sort of dumping ground for any current toys that need a temporary storage space. As I glance at it now, it houses my son’s constructed LEGO helicopter, Nerf guns, and a robot as well as my daughter’s collection of library books, a random water bottle in her favorite color orange, and her jumping rope. Remnants of pans, utensils,...

Keep Reading

Dear Teenager, Know This as You Head Back to School

Kids

Dear Teenager, Know This as You Head Back to School

To the Mama in the Fourth Trimester Fog

Baby

You’ll Walk Through These Doors Alone, But I’ll Be Right Here Loving You Still

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Amanda Dayton

Dear Zachary, The World Is Yours…And So Am I

It’s Your First Day of Preschool

I’m Proud to Say “That Child” Is My Child

My Wild Child Teaches Me How to Be Free

I’m Holding Tight to Nine

The First Day of Preschool is Hardest for the Moms

Welcome to Kindergarten, You’re about to Experience Something Great

First Grade Is a Big Year

There Is Beauty in the In-Between

I Just Can’t Let Go of the Play Kitchen Yet

Get It Now

So God Made a Mother

You’ll Walk Through These Doors Alone, But I’ll Be Right Here Loving You Still

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Dear Zachary, The World Is Yours…And So Am I

It’s Your First Day of Preschool

I’m Proud to Say “That Child” Is My Child

My Wild Child Teaches Me How to Be Free

I’m Holding Tight to Nine

The First Day of Preschool is Hardest for the Moms

Welcome to Kindergarten, You’re about to Experience Something Great

First Grade Is a Big Year

There Is Beauty in the In-Between

I Just Can’t Let Go of the Play Kitchen Yet

Previous Post

Next Post

You May Also Like