I used to roll my eyes at the age-old stereotype of mothers being emotional wrecks due to pregnancy and postpartum hormones. I mean, I felt like myself during my pregnancies—just a bit more irritable and forgetful. I thought this stereotype was just a way for people to poke fun at women without addressing the deeper issues behind their emotional moments. Kind of like a pregnant woman’s PMS, if you will.
However, after welcoming my second child, I found myself transformed into the very stereotype I’d dismissed: a postpartum crier. Sure, the sleepless nights with a newborn (and a preschooler who rises at dawn) played a role, but did I really need to tear up over everything? While there were certainly valid reasons for my tears—like existential crises about my life choices—I’m here to share the lighter, more absurd reasons that turned me into a fountain of emotions. Here are some of those moments…
- When my partner suggested I toss the hot dogs I accidentally left out all day.
- While explaining the epilogue of Knuffle Bunny Free. (In my defense, it’s a beautifully poignant ending that made my partner tear up too!)
- Reading an online story about a cat that ran away. (Honestly, just about any article about kids or animals gets me.)
- Watching that Google ad where a shy kid conquers his fear of public speaking. (Let’s be real, most of their commercials are tear-jerkers.)
- Realizing the five bucks I had set aside for iced coffee had vanished into thin air.
- When my baby giggled during a diaper change. (Pure adorableness overload.)
- Hearing my preschooler say I wasn’t allowed to join his game.
- Missing my favorite news segment, “In The Papers” on NY1 (which I once mocked before becoming hooked).
- Just waking up.
- When the deli guy slathered my sandwich with too much mustard, ruining it completely!
- Watching a video of a baby crying at her mother’s singing. (Honestly, any heartwarming online video gets to me.)
- For absolutely no reason at all.
- Looking at my son’s artwork.
- Reflecting on the song “Landslide.” (It’s just so beautifully melancholic. Oh gosh, here come the tears again.)
- Picking my son up from school.
- When my son got an unfortunate haircut.
- Realizing I was unhappy with my hair color, which was the same shade I’ve dyed it for the last decade.
- When my DVR failed to record Project Runway: All Stars (even though I could find it online).
- My cat throwing up under the bed.
- Watching the tribute to Mrs. Krabappel on The Simpsons after the voice actress passed away.
- Hearing about Amy Robach’s breast cancer diagnosis and Robin Roberts’s coming out. (Not that I’m an avid Good Morning America watcher or anything.)
- Thinking about my son’s bond with his favorite stuffed animal.
- Accidentally putting salt in my iced tea instead of sugar. (That was a bummer.)
- Deleting an episode of my son’s old favorite show, Jack’s Big Music Show, which is now impossible to find anywhere. (It was the best one too, “Jack’s Super Swell Sing-Along!”)
- Realizing I forgot to wash my fuzzy socks and had to wear regular ones in the cold apartment—like a total barbarian!
- Reflecting on how incredibly fortunate I am.
Life with little ones certainly brings a whirlwind of emotions, and while the reasons for my tears might seem trivial, they remind me of the chaotic yet beautiful journey of parenthood. If you’re navigating similar waters, check out this insightful post on intracervical insemination for more engaging content. For couples considering their fertility journey, Make A Mom is a fantastic resource. And for comprehensive information on the topic, Wikipedia is an excellent reference.
In summary, the emotional ride of parenting is filled with moments that can make you laugh, cry, or both, often for the most unexpected and silly reasons.