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When You’re in the Thick of Motherhood, Sometimes it’s Hard To See the Beauty

In: Motherhood

3 Minute Read

By Natasha Smith

Mother kissing child — Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com

The child-rearing years. When you’re in them, it’s hard to see.

Past the attitudes.

Past the tantrums.

Past the whining.

Past the pouting.

Past the late nights.

Past the early mornings.

Past the sleepless nights.

Past the spilled milk.

Past the training and correction.

Past repeating yourself over and over again.

And so often, I’ve caught myself wishing away the time.

Wishing it was Friday.

Wishing it was summer.

Wishing for a vacation.

Wishing for a break.

RELATED: When a Mom Says She Needs a Break

Wishing so much that I literally wrote a note to self that says . . .

I’ll one day write how awesome it has been to be home 24/7 with my kids and how much of a blessing, privilege, and honor is has been to homeschool them.

How honorable it has been to put aside self and career for such a time as this. And how I listened to the call of God to do so. And how I would not have changed it for the entire world.

And how it was all worth it.

One day.

But until then, I will continue to pray for that day. I will continue to be thankful in advance for that day.

When I appreciate the child-rearing, homeschool years.

But when you’re in them . . . it is hard to see.

That what you teach them now will set them on the right path for their tomorrows.

That you will miss the mundaneness of the day to day in just being in the same room with them.

That you will miss the sound of their voices and laughter, no matter how loud.

That one day, the nest will be empty and all that remains will be memories of the days that once were.

RELATED: I Had a Taste of the Empty Nest, And It Is Bittersweet

Because when you’re in them . . . it is hard to see.

How you can enjoy life right NOW while the kids are still young and in your fold.

How you can position yourself to enjoy this season before the time slips away and you are unable to recover the time missed.

So for now just breathe . . .

Slow down.

Count your blessings instead of your problems.

Take time for rest, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Find the GOOD in the moment.

Because when you’re in them . . . it is hard to see.

It’s hard to see that you GET to be with your kids.

You get to teach them.

You get to spend these precious moments with them.

You get to watch them grow.

RELATED: Tomorrow They’ll Be a Little More Grown

You get to nurture relationships with them.

So let our prayer be, Lord help me to see even now the life full of blessings I’m living in. Right now.

But I know you get it.

Because when you’re in them . . . it’s hard to see.

So God Made a Grandmother book by Leslie Means

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

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Natasha Smith

Natasha Smith is a grief advocate, wife, engineer turned homeschooler and NC native. She is an author, speaker, and podcaster, sharing stories on faith, family, and grief. Her work has appeared in Influence Magazine, Guideposts, Propel Women, Her Bible, Her View From Home, TODAY Parents, and other publications. Her new book Can You Just Sit with Me? Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life is available now wherever books are sold. You can connect with her across social media @imnatashasmith and at imnatashasmith.com.

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When You’re in the Thick of Motherhood, Sometimes it’s Hard To See the Beauty

Past the early mornings.

RELATED: When a Mom Says She Needs a Break

Wishing so much that I literally wrote a note to self that says . . .

But when you’re in them . . . it is hard to see.

RELATED: I Had a Taste of the Empty Nest, And It Is Bittersweet

Count your blessings instead of your problems.

RELATED: Tomorrow They’ll Be a Little More Grown

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

Natasha Smith

These Moms on the Sidelines Became My People

I Wanted Experts to Fix My Child with ADHD. Instead, They Changed Me.

Parenting a Child with a Disability Is Holy Ground

I Came Home With a Baby—and Lost Myself

He Doesn’t Always Need Me Anymore and I’m Not Sure How To Feel About It

We Keep Calling Her Confident, But She Doesn’t Trust Herself

I Knew Something Was Wrong, But No One Listened—And It Almost Cost Me My Daughter

I Finally Admitted I Didn’t Want To Be a SAHM Anymore

I’m Not Really Sure How To Do This Teenager Thing

Why Don’t We Talk About Jonah’s Mother?

Get It Now

So God Made a Mother

When You’re in the Thick of Motherhood, Sometimes it’s Hard To See the Beauty

Past the early mornings.

Wishing so much that I literally wrote a note to self that says . . .

But when you’re in them . . . it is hard to see.

Count your blessings instead of your problems.

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

These Moms on the Sidelines Became My People

I Wanted Experts to Fix My Child with ADHD. Instead, They Changed Me.

Parenting a Child with a Disability Is Holy Ground

I Came Home With a Baby—and Lost Myself

He Doesn’t Always Need Me Anymore and I’m Not Sure How To Feel About It

We Keep Calling Her Confident, But She Doesn’t Trust Herself

I Knew Something Was Wrong, But No One Listened—And It Almost Cost Me My Daughter

I Finally Admitted I Didn’t Want To Be a SAHM Anymore

I’m Not Really Sure How To Do This Teenager Thing

Why Don’t We Talk About Jonah’s Mother?

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