The mom and her daughter in the dressing room…
I walked into the dressing room of a store the other day to try some clothes on.
Another mom walked in beside me pushing a stroller with a newborn in it. She was balancing a stack of clothes in her arms and being trailed by her daughter, about three years old.
After they went into a stall and a few minutes passed, I heard the little girl ask, “What’s that?”
“That’s mommy’s tummy,” the mom answered.
There was a pause. Then,
“It’s big,” the girl said, innocently.
“Yes.” The mom was matter-of-fact. “It’s still big because your sister used to be in there. But it will get smaller again. That’s why mommy’s picking out some new clothes.”
“Oh,” the girl said, her mom’s answer satisfying her.
The conversation touched me, and it made me think about all that comes with being a mom–the good (a sweet little newborn asleep in a stroller), and the not-so-good (a body that’s different than it used to be, at least for a little while).
I loved the way the mom responded to her daughter–not defensive or irritated, but cheerful and sweet.
Here she was, just a short while after giving birth, back in the stores trying on some non-maternity-but-still-probably-bigger-than-her-normal-size clothes, and she took it all in stride.
As moms, we have to do that, right?
After all, we give a lot…
our bodies, our time, our sleep, our priorities…
our hearts.
And even though sometimes it’s hard to remember,
when you’re trying to fit back into your pre-pregnancy clothes,
or when you’re up in the middle of the night for the fifth time with a screaming baby,
or when you’re sitting at the doctor’s office all morning because both of your kids have ear infections,
it’s all temporary.
It’s all fleeting.
And it’s all so worth it. :)
Don’t you think? What about you? What are some of the things you’ve sacrificed or given up as a parent? And what have you received?
(*Post originally published June, 2010.)
That is a precious story. :) I can't remember what I "gave up" beign a Mom. My son is 22 and out of the house now, so what I have gained is many years of memories, lessons learned about what I would do different if I could, things I would never change in a million years, and love that grows stronger each day.
You have the best experiences! So glad that you share them through your blog with the rest of us.I'm thinking about your question. I honestly do not have an answer for what I've sacrificed. Can't really come up with anything. But what I've received…well…there just isn't enough time in the day to answer that question! It's beyond measure.Hope you're doing well and enjoying summer break. We're looking at a beautiful Monday here in Minnesota. Wondering what the day will bring?Peace and blessings to you.Jeanine
What a sweet story! What have I given up? LOL – I say that "MY life is Not my own" anymore. There is greater meaning and purpose to my life. Maybe that meaning and purpose would have evolved differently if I had not had children – but I did – and that meaning and purpose fills each day to brimming:)
Sweet story. While I may not consider it a sacrifice, I can so relate about my body being permanently altered by pregnancy and giving birth. My daughter is 3 1/2 and I still do not have my pre-pregnancy body (and I may never have it). Still I would do it all over for my little one. She's worth every pound and stretch mark.
A very sweet story. I know I am more critical of my body image than other people might be of me. In fact I say I have a tire around my middle. But I make sure never to say that around my husband and my children. They love me for me and if I put my negative self body thoughts out there for them to hear they might start to think that way about me. I would never want that. I love how they lift me up and they always tell me I look nice or how my youngest says I look gooooooood! It make my thoughts seem not so harsh and not such a big deal in the scheme of life.
I loved this post. It's true that we give soooo much to others. It's what the creator put into us. In a lot of ways we are a lot like Him.
Oh yes… the sacrifices. I remind myself E.V.E.R.Y.D.A.Y that just about everything is a phase. It too shall pass. I sacrificed working..my social outlet. The blessing? Staying home with my beautiful Pule. Deciding to blog so that I chronicle my daughter's life. Hopefully, am at a place to welcome my husband home after such a busy day. Mothering has also challenged me to be in the word every day. Working through reading the bible through this year. Half way done & still at it! Totally worth it and I would have it no other way. So many blessings, but need to be intentional about remembering them…honestly I do.