From my seat in the fifth row of the college auditorium, I witnessed a moment that tugged at my heart. As my daughter stepped forward with her fellow performers to deliver the breathtaking final chorus, something unusual caught my eye. Just beside her nose, her right cheek began to quiver ever so slightly. Moments later, the left cheek joined the dance. Her eyes widened as she fought to hold back tears—but they came, two blinks, maybe three—before her eyes filled with emotion.
This unexpected display wasn’t part of the script, but I felt a sense of calm. I was the only one in the audience who knew what was about to unfold. I trusted that she would manage to hold it together until the curtain call, when everyone would empathize with her tears. As her mom, I could sense it all.
Moms have a unique insight. We may not know everything, but we always seem to grasp the nuances first.
We Know When Tears Are Coming
Regardless of whether your child is two months, five years, or twelve years old, a mom can quickly recognize the signs of an impending meltdown. We’ve witnessed every tearful episode, and we understand their triggers. With the weight of their past triumphs and heartaches resting on our shoulders, we share an inseparable bond with our children.
Watching my daughter’s cheek tremble reminded me of a heart-wrenching moment from her senior year of high school. She was devastated when a scheduling conflict prevented her from participating in her final high school musical. “This was going to be my last performance,” she cried. “I’m not good enough for college musicals. I’ll NEVER get to sing again!” As she fought back tears during her college performance, I felt a mix of grief and gratitude for how far she had come. This connection is what makes motherhood unique.
We Can Tell When They’re About to Lie
Experts claim that children typically tell their first lies around the age of two. Those are the easy ones to spot. As they grow, recognizing the signs of deceit becomes one of the more challenging aspects of parenting. Sometimes it’s comical; other times, it’s unnerving. I asked some mom friends how they can tell when their kids are about to spin a tale. Responses ranged from, “His lips start moving,” to “She glances over her shoulder, as if someone smarter than me is eavesdropping on her story.”
With older kids, the clues become subtler. You can often glean the truth from their technology habits: a dead phone? Not buying it. Vague text responses? A red flag. And that overly sweet message? Definitely a sign of trouble. Research shows that all kids lie—often. It’s a normal part of growing up and learning to navigate boundaries. I could sense when my teenage daughter was planning to push those limits, opting to disguise a night out with friends as a sleepover at someone else’s house. Oh, please! We invented that game.
We Recognize When They’re Ready to Soar
A mother knows when her child is ready to take a leap: whether it’s a seven-year-old who has memorized a poem, a ten-year-old mastering free throws, or a sixteen-year-old gearing up to ask someone to a dance. We know it’s time to let them test their wings and face the world, even if it’s hard to let go.
At her college performance, my daughter’s tears marked not just nostalgia but also a significant transition. She was about to part ways with her college life, friends, and a moment that would never come again. At 22, she has faced loss and change, learning to cope with their sting. As her mother, I understand that holding her back isn’t an option. Life has so much more in store for her beyond this moment, even if it means navigating less glamorous responsibilities like finding a job or living on her own.
Moms know first. While it can sometimes feel like a bittersweet glimpse into the future, it often feels more like a lonely burden. If you’re interested in learning more about the journey of motherhood, check out this post on Cervical Insemination. And for those considering starting or expanding their families, Kindbody is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination options. Also, consider visiting Make a Mom for reliable at-home insemination kits.
In summary, moms possess an unrivaled intuition about their children, from sensing when tears are on the horizon to recognizing when it’s time for them to take flight. It’s both a blessing and a challenge.
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