This was fantastic writing, and very relatable as someone with young kids. My 3 year old son has taken to coming into my bedroom and moving around in the dark. As a light sleeper, I'll wake up after hearing noise rustling around the bed. Not knowing whether it's a burglar or a toddler, I'll demand that the person identify themselves, which he refuses to do, so I'll flip on the light and jump out of bed, just in case. I put him back to bed, then, heart pounding, toss and turn for the last couple hours before sunrise. Ah parenthood.
My 3 year old breaks into tears when I tell her she's not a baby anymore and can't do xyz. Growing up is hard! And always remember, sleeplessness is a legitimate torture device. none of us are in our right mind!
Can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought of that. Solzhenitsyn writes about how in the gulags prisoners were forced to STAND up for days on end. When my kids insist on being carried in the middle of the night I tend to reflect on that 😅
A priest told me (in confession) recently that if we were perfect parents, our children would have no need for God! I’ve found that comforting lately. Thank you for the Dubay quote… I so deeply relate to being an “embodied desire” (in your words) and certainly see that in my children, completely unfiltered!!
Thank you for your writing Sarah!! You have a gift!
We were stationed in Japan and brought our 18 month old son home for the first time to meet the family. That first night, when his internal clock was a complete mess, he was wide awake and screaming at midnight. I took him to the basement and walked with him, singing every song I knew. I thought I was being considerate of my family, who slept on the second floor. Unfortunately, I spent two hours, singing directly under the heating vest and serenaded the whole family. They still tease me about it.
For some reason, all my sons and most of my grandchildren preferred to fall asleep to me singing songs from old musicals. Snoopy is still a favorite. Our windows were usually wide open and I have trouble singing quietly. I was very popular with the neighbors!
I did this for my son 35 years ago. I now see him do it for his two kids very often.
It was a struggle for me but not totally exhausting and enervating. Sometimes I think that I had received just enough love from my mother.
Now it appears that my son may have gotten just a little bit more from both his parents. I am out of my depth and don’t really know what I am talking about regarding love. And yet I am sure I see love in my son’s family.
baby jesus have mercy on us
This was fantastic writing, and very relatable as someone with young kids. My 3 year old son has taken to coming into my bedroom and moving around in the dark. As a light sleeper, I'll wake up after hearing noise rustling around the bed. Not knowing whether it's a burglar or a toddler, I'll demand that the person identify themselves, which he refuses to do, so I'll flip on the light and jump out of bed, just in case. I put him back to bed, then, heart pounding, toss and turn for the last couple hours before sunrise. Ah parenthood.
Haha! Oh yes I can certainly relate to the midnight jump scares!
My 3 year old breaks into tears when I tell her she's not a baby anymore and can't do xyz. Growing up is hard! And always remember, sleeplessness is a legitimate torture device. none of us are in our right mind!
Can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought of that. Solzhenitsyn writes about how in the gulags prisoners were forced to STAND up for days on end. When my kids insist on being carried in the middle of the night I tend to reflect on that 😅
A priest told me (in confession) recently that if we were perfect parents, our children would have no need for God! I’ve found that comforting lately. Thank you for the Dubay quote… I so deeply relate to being an “embodied desire” (in your words) and certainly see that in my children, completely unfiltered!!
Thank you for your writing Sarah!! You have a gift!
What a gut punch (in a good way!!) as I mother my three small children and myself through our unending needs. Thank you for writing this!!
We were stationed in Japan and brought our 18 month old son home for the first time to meet the family. That first night, when his internal clock was a complete mess, he was wide awake and screaming at midnight. I took him to the basement and walked with him, singing every song I knew. I thought I was being considerate of my family, who slept on the second floor. Unfortunately, I spent two hours, singing directly under the heating vest and serenaded the whole family. They still tease me about it.
lol! We try, don’t we?? My neighbors probably hate me.
For some reason, all my sons and most of my grandchildren preferred to fall asleep to me singing songs from old musicals. Snoopy is still a favorite. Our windows were usually wide open and I have trouble singing quietly. I was very popular with the neighbors!
❤️
I did this for my son 35 years ago. I now see him do it for his two kids very often.
It was a struggle for me but not totally exhausting and enervating. Sometimes I think that I had received just enough love from my mother.
Now it appears that my son may have gotten just a little bit more from both his parents. I am out of my depth and don’t really know what I am talking about regarding love. And yet I am sure I see love in my son’s family.
Thank you Jesus ❤️
Lovely piece of writing. Sounds to me like your little one wants you to suckle her?
Haha ... if we hadn't weaned like 18 months ago, I'd be all over it!
You always seem to find a way to take the ordinary and heighten it to the sublime. Thank you very much.