Seasons of Motherhood

Motherhood is all about “seasons.” Think about it. No one season is truly better than the other. They all have their pluses and minuses. There is no such thing as a perfect season or a perfect mom.  

Newborn babies put you in the season of spring. Everything is new and blossoming. Everything is changing for the better. The sun shines and makes everything ok, just like the first smiles, steps, and words. Even the rain makes you happy because you know the flowers will soon be there.

The next big season is preschool through high school, which I liken to summer. The days are long; you’re always sweaty, and basically, it’s seemingly never-ending. All the events you couldn’t wait for in the spring now seem like burdens. Every motherhood meme you’ve ever seen probably feels like real life right about now too!

Fall, which happens to be my favorite season, is what I imagine young adulthood to be. It is when your child begins to truly find themself. It ebbs and flows. One day hot, your child needs you more than they have in a while, and another day cold, when your child seems all grown up. Also, this is the stage of life when some children achieve independence, be it from moving out of the home or finding full-time employment. Watching this development is much like watching the leaves fall from the trees. 

And lastly, winter is the season of hibernation. Winter is the perfect time to get cozy, and to me, that means watching your child start their own life. Perhaps they find a partner. Perhaps they have children. Perhaps they do neither. Only time will tell what direction they take. As parents, we all have hopes and dreams for our children, but ultimately our children decide how their spring season will turn out.  

 What “season” of motherhood do you find yourself in now?