There’s a tiny new addition to the family—a precious little bundle, all rosy cheeks, delicate fingers, and a tuft of dark hair that looks like a gentle brushstroke on fine parchment. And my daughter, Amelia, is utterly enchanted.
She gazes at the baby with wide eyes. “Mom, look! She’s blinking! Look, she’s wiggling her toes! Mom, she’s dozing off!”
I smile and gently remind Amelia, my spirited six-year-old with her cascade of curls and an adventurous spirit, “You were once that tiny, sweetheart.”
My heart swells with memories of her as a baby—the sleepless nights spent counting her breaths, the endless rounds of colicky cries, and the joy of seeing her take her first steps right into my arms.
“Mama, can you teach me how to care for a baby?” she asks, her gaze still fixed on the sleeping infant.
“Right now?” I chuckle.
“No, when I’m older. When I’m ready to have my own baby. When I become a mama.”
Before I can respond, she adds, “Mom, who taught you how to be a mama?”
Her question takes me back to moments filled with both joy and heartache. My own mother passed away just before I became a mom, and oh, how I wished for her guidance during that monumental time. The thoughts of the bond we could have shared weigh on me.
Yet, I was not entirely alone. There were wise and wonderful women—like my mother-in-law—who stepped in and shared their wisdom, guiding me through that rocky first year. “Try swaddling her like this; it worked wonders for my baby!” or “Holding her upright after nursing really helped my son.”
These remarkable women imparted invaluable lessons, but the most profound lessons came from the very child I was nurturing. Amelia was my greatest teacher; she showed me how to kiss away her tears, soothe her through colic, and celebrate her milestones. Each giggle and every small victory filled my heart with joy.
“Sweet girl,” I say, kneeling down to her level, “you’ve taught me everything I know about being your mom. And one day, when you have a baby, you’ll discover that your little one will teach you, too.”
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In summary, motherhood is a blend of learning, love, and the magic that unfolds when we embrace the role of a parent.