Today you called me Mommy.

Mommy. 

Not Mama.

Just yesterday—merely one day ago—it was Mama.
But today—merely one day later—it’s Mommy.

And that’s motherhood.

Because yesterday, it was Mama.
Today, it’s Mommy.
And tomorrow, it will be Mom.

And I just don’t want to rush it anymore.

I don’t want to hurry you along, telling myself that if only you could do this or that, then my life would be easier. Because I’m always seeking easier.

It’s hard, raising little people, so easier is such a gift.

But this?

This whole you growing up right before my eyes thing?

I don’t want easier when it comes to this.
I don’t want easier when it means sacrificing your littleness.
I don’t want easier when it means wishing away right now in anticipation of what’s to come.
I don’t want easier when it means wasting these moments with you.
I don’t want easier when it means rushing motherhood along.

So I’ll take the hard that being Mama entails.

I’ll take the sleepless nights.
The spit-up-laden t-shirts.
The blowouts.
The teething.
The having not a single clue what I’m doing.

Then I’ll take the hard that being Mommy entails.

I’ll take the tantrums.
The nap-time protests.
The never-ending bedtime routines.
The uneaten dinners.
The struggles with sharing and listening and managing big, confusing emotions.

Then I’ll take the hard that being Mom entails.

I’ll take the homework battles.
The tough conversations.
The uncomfortable questions.
The raging hormones.
The grumpy attitudes.
The slamming doors.
The parenting you when you think you don’t need me anymore.

Because I get to be your Mama.
And your Mommy.
And your Mom. 

So I’ll take it all.
Because it’s already going way too fast.

And I don’t want to waste another moment wishing away the hard.

This article originally appeared on Kisses From Boys with Krista Ward

 

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