Motherhood is all about knowing how to shower your child with love. My little secret? A flexible approach to parenting that adapts to each child’s unique personality, ensuring they feel cherished for who they are.
Currently, I’m navigating the wild ride of raising two teenage boys who tower over me, yet will always be my little ones at heart. In their freshly shaven faces, I catch fleeting glimpses of their younger selves. My older son, Jake, nearing sixteen, was a sprinter from the start. I remember the days of driving my two-year-old around just to get him to fall asleep. He’s still all legs—those long limbs that once flailed as I carried his slumbering form to bed, now carrying him confidently into adulthood. Standing at 5’10”, Jake is blossoming into a young man: shy, polite, and the kind you’d proudly introduce to your parents. His fifth-grade teacher once remarked he was the “kindest child she’d taught in 30 years.” Sure, he doesn’t always show that kindness to his younger brother, but it’s a story I’ll definitely share at his wedding someday.
With Jake, my nurturing side shines. I initiate hugs after school, and he leans in, our heads touching as we embrace. No words are necessary; he’s not one for chit-chat. I learned early on that yes-or-no questions don’t work with him. Instead, I’ve mastered the art of creating a comfortable silence, allowing him to share stories at his own pace. I’ve even found myself watching ESPN just to glean snippets of his day. While he rarely asks for homework help, he did surprise me with a request to review a poignant video he created about embracing those with mental disabilities. I was astonished by his insight—his deep narrator’s voice advocating for acceptance. It was a moment where I recognized that my parenting messages had truly sunk in, nurtured during our moments together at the playground, in the kitchen, and at bedtime. With Jake, I become my most gentle self—supportive and calm, bending to his needs.
Now, my younger son, Tyler, demands a completely different approach. He thrives on fun and adventure. I’m the “cool mom” who can joke about Saturday Night Live, ferrying a carload of boys to the movies and hosting sleepovers complete with junk food. Tyler bursts through the door, brimming with tales of his middle school antics. “Mom, we’ve decided all my friends are coming over after the Social. You’re picking us up!” he declares, already planning the event.
Affectionately dubbed “the mayor” by his family, Tyler craves my undivided attention and relishes in having a captivated audience. He’s got this natural charm that draws in adults; we joke he was born with the wisdom of a 45-year-old. He effortlessly chats about movies, local news, and weather with his friends’ parents, who absolutely love it. I’ve received countless compliments from other parents about his quick wit and mature demeanor. Was it my enthusiastic support—like filming his early Star Wars Lego adventures—that sparked his creativity? Perhaps it was my willingness to listen to his celebrity impressions over my favorite radio hits or giving in to his request for that life-sized Karaoke Santa, which he used for his talent show stand-up routine. Whatever the case, I knew Tyler loved to perform, and I embraced it wholeheartedly. I even volunteered for picture day in his nursery school class, where I was the mom smoothing hair and wiping faces. When I noticed he was the smallest in line, his teacher quickly reassured me, “Only in stature!” And just like that, I realized my influence was beginning to blossom.
So, what is motherhood? It’s a colorful mosaic of adapting personas that meet your child right where they are. It requires flexibility, patience, and a generous dose of selflessness. Those early years demand sleepless nights spent rocking a colicky baby or messy afternoons finger painting with a preschooler. As they grow, we transform into therapists or spin doctors when our tweens face betrayal or dilemmas. Eventually, we become a safe haven for anxious high schoolers awaiting college acceptance letters.
“You’ll be a great mother because you had one,” my dad told me while I was expecting Jake. I feel so fortunate to have my mom, who continues to parent me in ways I need. She understands me. Motherhood is a long-distance race fueled by love, with your children emerging as the true champions. As I guide my boys, I hear my late father’s words echoing in my heart, and I carry them with pride.
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Summary
Motherhood is a dynamic journey, requiring a versatile approach to parenting that caters to each child’s unique personality. While nurturing a shy, introspective teen, a mother can also find joy in embracing the energetic spirit of a younger child. The essence of motherhood lies in love, adaptability, and the ability to meet children where they are, fostering their growth and confidence along the way.