My darling,
I'm not entirely sure why I do things like this to myself, but tonight, as I rocked our night-before-turning-1-year-old daughter to sleep I closed my eyes and, for about 10 minutes, I pictured what our life will look like in 10 years.
(You're probably reprimanding me for doing that in your head right now. 😂)
In 10 years, our three daughters will be almost 15, almost 13, and 11—not a single-digit in sight. We'll be dealing with high school and middle school and hormones and the start of love interests and things that aren't diaper changes and baby proofing and teething.
We won't be rocking them to sleep anymore or cutting up their food. And I'm sure we'll miss the validation of being the ones who keep their world turning because simply put—we won't be the center of their Universe anymore.
Instead of them needing us to lay with them until they fall asleep, they will need us to remind them that it's bedtime at 9 pm, 10 pm, then again at 11 pm.
Instead of tripping over dolls strewn about the floor, we will be tripping over lacrosse sticks and backpacks and bras.Instead of needing our help to break up fights over magnatiles, they'll need us to break up fights over who stole who's shirt.
Instead of wiping tears from a meltdown over receiving the "wrong" dinner plate, we will be wiping tears from a heartache over a fight with a friend.
Instead of needing us to carry them around when they say they're too tired to walk, they will need us to pick them up from after-school activities and drive them around town.
Instead of teaching them how to tie their shoes or say "thank you," we will be teaching them how to drive and how to stay safe and be a respectful member of our community.
It will be a whole new world.
I will become the woman who looks at a baby and can almost feel her ovaries ache. We will hold new nieces and nephews and wish that we could relive that high of meeting our child for the first time again—just one more time. We'll say things like, "Wow, it seems like just yesterday our kids were this small…"
This past weekend, when we were hosting our third first birthday party, we reminisced on when each of our children were born and how it seems like they are growing up so quickly. Because they are. It seems like we blinked, and now our newborn from last year is a walking, chit-chatting, climbing, busy toddler.
I started to cry during my little torture-myself-10-years-ahead-meditation tonight. (Not totally surprising, right?) Because 10 years down the line—while I am certainly confident we will be happy and fulfilled—everything will be different. There will be new milestones to be proud of and new adventures to embark on, of course. But it won't be like it is now.
These—right now—are the good ol' days of our future.
The stories we will reminisce on are happening now... when we discover that our toddler knows how to climb on the kitchen table and laughs at us when she sees us see her… or when we watch our preschooler tie her shoes for the first time courtesy of the bunny ear method... or the million times our heart bursts when our middle kiddo busts out her signature move of sticking her hand down her shirt and asking for a pacifier when she's tired.
The moments we will never forget are happening now… the sound of the high pitched sing-song voice belting out "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid… the giggles when we're all running around the house… the way they look when they're sleeping—so peaceful and angelic—even if they were going buck wild 10 minutes prior.
The "remember whens" we will laugh about when our kids seem too grown up and the parenting challenges seem too serious—are happening now...
Like when one of our children poops in the backyard playhouse (I won't name any names)... or how another one of our children "bakes" concoctions that consist of garlic powder, chili powder, vanilla, ginger, water, baking soda and salt (and yes, also how I try them because she always asks me to and because I always feel bad not supporting her baking endeavors).
We will look back, and we won't necessarily focus on the blood, sweat and tears that we have poured into raising young children together. Sure, we will remember how hard it was—but I really think we will look back on these physically and emotionally taxing years with rose-tinted glasses.
The feeling of utter overwhelm and constant chaos will have dimmed. The sleep struggles and multiple meltdowns will pale in comparison to the relationship drama and social media worries of the pre-teen and teenage years. We will have more time for conversation and date nights instead of often feeling like ships passing in the night.
And so my hunch is this: We will faintly remember the hard times down the line. But, in 10 years, when we look back—we will let the good times shine.
In 10 years, I'll be sad—in a happy way—looking back on the beginning stages of the life we've built together.
The days when happiness was measured in how many twirls one could do before collapsing into laughter.
The days when love was measured in sloppy, peanut butter covered kisses.
The days when peace was measured in how calm bedtime could be and how quiet the house could get post-bedtime.
The days when we were their everything; their Universe.
The good 'ol days.
You might also like:
Instead of needing our help to break up fights over magnatiles, they'll need us to break up fights over who stole who's shirt.
Instead of wiping tears from a meltdown over receiving the "wrong" dinner plate, we will be wiping tears from a heartache over a fight with a friend.
Instead of needing us to carry them around when they say they're too tired to walk, they will need us to pick them up from after-school activities and drive them around town.
Instead of teaching them how to tie their shoes or say "thank you," we will be teaching them how to drive and how to stay safe and be a respectful member of our community.
It will be a whole new world.
I will become the woman who looks at a baby and can almost feel her ovaries ache. We will hold new nieces and nephews and wish that we could relive that high of meeting our child for the first time again—just one more time. We'll say things like, "Wow, it seems like just yesterday our kids were this small…"
This past weekend, when we were hosting our third first birthday party, we reminisced on when each of our children were born and how it seems like they are growing up so quickly. Because they are. It seems like we blinked, and now our newborn from last year is a walking, chit-chatting, climbing, busy toddler.
I started to cry during my little torture-myself-10-years-ahead-meditation tonight. (Not totally surprising, right?) Because 10 years down the line—while I am certainly confident we will be happy and fulfilled—everything will be different. There will be new milestones to be proud of and new adventures to embark on, of course. But it won't be like it is now.
These—right now—are the good ol' days of our future.
The stories we will reminisce on are happening now... when we discover that our toddler knows how to climb on the kitchen table and laughs at us when she sees us see her… or when we watch our preschooler tie her shoes for the first time courtesy of the bunny ear method... or the million times our heart bursts when our middle kiddo busts out her signature move of sticking her hand down her shirt and asking for a pacifier when she's tired.
The moments we will never forget are happening now… the sound of the high pitched sing-song voice belting out "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid… the giggles when we're all running around the house… the way they look when they're sleeping—so peaceful and angelic—even if they were going buck wild 10 minutes prior.
The "remember whens" we will laugh about when our kids seem too grown up and the parenting challenges seem too serious—are happening now...
Like when one of our children poops in the backyard playhouse (I won't name any names)... or how another one of our children "bakes" concoctions that consist of garlic powder, chili powder, vanilla, ginger, water, baking soda and salt (and yes, also how I try them because she always asks me to and because I always feel bad not supporting her baking endeavors).
We will look back, and we won't necessarily focus on the blood, sweat and tears that we have poured into raising young children together. Sure, we will remember how hard it was—but I really think we will look back on these physically and emotionally taxing years with rose-tinted glasses.
The feeling of utter overwhelm and constant chaos will have dimmed. The sleep struggles and multiple meltdowns will pale in comparison to the relationship drama and social media worries of the pre-teen and teenage years. We will have more time for conversation and date nights instead of often feeling like ships passing in the night.
And so my hunch is this: We will faintly remember the hard times down the line. But, in 10 years, when we look back—we will let the good times shine.
In 10 years, I'll be sad—in a happy way—looking back on the beginning stages of the life we've built together.
The days when happiness was measured in how many twirls one could do before collapsing into laughter.
The days when love was measured in sloppy, peanut butter covered kisses.
The days when peace was measured in how calm bedtime could be and how quiet the house could get post-bedtime.
The days when we were their everything; their Universe.
The good 'ol days.
*We know it can be hard to get out the door when you’re a new mom. So we’ve partnered with Munchkin to share real stories & strategies from real moms that will help motivate you to get out the door and get into your mom flow. Below, mommy blogger Elizabeth Ariola of Mrs. Nipple shares why she travels, even when it’s not easy.
Before my husband and I had kids, we were always on the go. We would travel whenever our jobs would allow. But we had very different views about how traveling would change after babies. My husband saw it completely slowing down, while I did not see it changing much. I felt as long as we didn’t have a very fussy baby, we could still be on the go and take trips as a family.
When our baby Charlie arrived, we waited a month before taking our first overnight trip. Instead of flying, we stayed within driving distance from our home. The weather wasn’t great, so we came home a little early, and we learned very quickly that you need to be flexible when traveling with a baby.
Five months in, I was ready to go a bit farther. My parents were planning a trip to Ireland towards the end of my maternity leave, and I decided to tag along with Charlie. I was so nervous! But I did tons of research to find the right gear for our 12 days abroad, and we had a successful trip. The most rewarding part was knowing I took a chance and believed in myself, and it worked out well. It will always be one of my favorite trips.
Traveling with two kids has been much harder for us. I look back and wish we traveled even more when we were a family of three. We have a very fussy baby this second time around, plus a 2-year-old with a crazy amount of energy. That makes for some interesting situations.
On a recent trip to Montauk, where we took these photos, Charlie got car sick. There I was, alone with two kids on the side of Montauk Highway, and throw up was coming out in buckets. Thankfully, a very nice police officer pulled up behind us and held Charlie's hand as I cleaned out the car. Of course, Charlie was so excited that a police car was there!
You are always going to run into obstacles while traveling. As a parent, it's all about how to handle them. Your reactions will set the tone for the day. That's something I try to be very aware of. We ended up having such a beautiful day in Montauk. You would never know what our morning was like.
But it's also just as important to know when to say: this isn't going to work today. Sometimes you just need to go back to the hotel, order room service, and start over tomorrow.
Getting away with your kids, no matter how young they are, is so valuable. When I’m traveling with Charlie and Ford, I am able to appreciate certain things about being a mom that I don't get from being at home.
And when you are all away together as a family, you are basically forced to spend time together. Not just physically, but also mentally. You bond in a different type of way during travel, which is so beneficial to the family as a unit.
Traveling with your kids might not look the same for everyone. If you’re a working mom, maybe your ideal “vacation” is staying home for a week because you don't get to experience that on a daily basis. If you’re not able to travel, just try to shake things up, and do something different.
If you’re nervous about taking that first vacation, my best advice is: just do it. After your first trip, you will gain that mama confidence you need. Even if it goes terribly wrong, at least you tried! Home will always be there, but that chance to travel with your baby won’t be.
Elizabeth’s Must-Haves for Getting Out the Door
1. Snacks and containers for those snacks. Munchkin’s Love a Bowls keep food very secure and even can resist a few toddler throws.
2. One of the best products I bought was a universal sleep cover that created a blackout environment on our stroller, bassinet and even our Dockatot.
3. Brica’s Car Seat Harness Magnet Clips are great for keeping your car seat straps nice and untangled for quick transfers in and out of their seat
4. Munchkin’s Miracle 360 Trainer Cups are key for long trips. Before I got them, we had our fair share of leakers, and it’s not fun, especially in the car seat!
5. Brica’s Fold and Go Travel Bassinet is great for those first few months, so baby can take a nap anywhere.
Photography by Lindsey Belle for Well Rounded.
Brica Breeze Baby Insight Mirror
Munchkin Miracle 360 Cup Trainer
Brica Fold n Go Travel Bassinet
Munchkin Designer Diaper Changer
