Stay With Me a Little While, Mama

A Gift for Mom! 🤍

My mind was racing as bedtime approached, thoughts flooded my mind about how far behind I was with work and how many deadlines were fast approaching. “I never have any time to get things done during the day, and I don’t see how I will get caught up,” I mumbled to myself.

RELATED: Why Tired Moms Stay Up Late

Lost in my thoughts and knowing that Daddy would be putting the kids to sleep, I audibly let out a big sigh when my son came into the room. Then I saw his face, tears welling up in his big brown eyes. His feelings were hurt, and though I knew I had a mountain of tasks waiting for my attention, I heard his heart’s cry, “Mama, stay with me a little while.”

I sat down in the rocking chair and beckoned him to come curl up in my lap.

He poured out his worries as I rocked, cuddled, kissed, and soothed his insecurities away. I waited until he let go first, to be sure he had received all the love and reassurance he needed, to be able to fall asleep in peace.

RELATED: To My Child: I Will Lay With You Every Night As Long As You Need

As I moved on from one bedroom to the next, I caught sight of my daughter sitting on her bed, waiting for me to tuck her in. A prayer, a kiss, some giggles and hugs later . . . I can see there’s something she isn’t telling me, and she’s building up her courage to speak up. Her eyes plead with me, “Mama, stay with me a little while.”

I know she’s growing up so fast and the words she wants to share don’t always come easily. I sense she needs to get something off her chest, so I wait and stay a little while.

The words finally flow like a river, “Mama, I’m worried I’m not a good enough girl . . . Mama, I’m worried she doesn’t like me . . . Mama, school is so hard.”

RELATED: Dear Daughter, I’ll Never Be Too Busy To Listen To You

I see the value in staying, in waiting, in putting my work aside for a much deeper purpose—to raise children who feel acknowledged, to hear secrets they will only share with me, to heal hurts by reassuring them of their place in this world . . . their place in my world.

Work will always be there tomorrow. So, today . . . I will stay a little while.

So God Made a Grandmother book by Leslie Means

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Tabitha Yates

TABITHA YATES is the author of #1 Best Seller, Jesus and Therapy: Bridging the Gap Between Faith and Mental Health. She is a mental health advocate, speaker, and suicide attempt survivor, known as The Redeemed Mama on social media where she writes about faith, mental health, and God’s redemptive plan. Tabitha has been published in Yahoo News, MSN, Relevant Magazine, The Mighty, Love What Matters, and more. Through practical advice, personal anecdotes, and biblical insights, Tabitha has used her platform to help renew the faith of millions of individuals struggling with where their faith and mental health intersect. She lives in Southern Arizona with her family. Join her on Facebook at The Redeemed Mama-Tabitha Yates. Find her book here- https://a.co/d/6EbpRP1

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Stay With Me a Little While, Mama

RELATED: Why Tired Moms Stay Up Late

I sat down in the rocking chair and beckoned him to come curl up in my lap.

RELATED: To My Child: I Will Lay With You Every Night As Long As You Need

RELATED: Dear Daughter, I’ll Never Be Too Busy To Listen To You

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

Tabitha Yates

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Enjoy the Ride, Kid

Mommy, Will You Play With Me?

Could We Take a Page from the ’80s and Stop Overparenting?

A Big Brother Is His Little Sister’s First Friend

Get It Now

So God Made a Mother

Stay With Me a Little While, Mama

I sat down in the rocking chair and beckoned him to come curl up in my lap.

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

As a Medical Mom, I Measure Growth Differently

Helping My Son Through Bullying Is Healing Something In Me Too

Robotics Kids Are Building More than You Can See

Foster Care Kids Are Worth Fighting for

We Aren’t Holding Her Back—We’re Giving Her More Time

A Life Lived Differently Is Not a Life Less Lived

Enjoy the Ride, Kid

Mommy, Will You Play With Me?

Could We Take a Page from the ’80s and Stop Overparenting?

A Big Brother Is His Little Sister’s First Friend

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