Friends of MBB,
I’ve been told that content is very important for a website; however, I am not a writer. I’d rather be filling orders or crunching numbers. But I’m going to give it a shot. Before you read, you should know that I will always keep it real. I’m not a “my kids are perfect” kind of mom. Moms have struggles and admitting them does not make us weak. I think it makes us strong.
About 70% of Moonbeam Baby’s customers are between the ages of 25 and 45. I said I would keep it real, so I will volunteer that I am not in this range. I’m sure you can deduce on which side of those numbers I sit. Our customers are mothers, aunts, friends, grandmothers, and even some dads, uncles, and grandfathers. Together, we cover many seasons of parenthood. I’m going through the “my last kid is leaving elementary school” season and the “my oldest is going into high school” season. Every time I think about that, I throw up a little!
Some of you will be in the same season, some of you are not there yet, or if you’re lucky, you’re enjoying grandchildren. I’ve been asked by the 5th grade and 8th grade teachers to find baby pictures of two of my sons for their “graduation” ceremony. Every time I pull up pictures of my 11- and 14-year-old boys, my eyes well up with tears. I do everything I can not to blink because it’s not really crying if the tears stay in your eyes. Right? Have you been here? Were you happy or sad? I realize not everyone was sad or will be sad. Kids grow up; that’s life. People with older children always say, “Enjoy it! They grow fast”. It’s true, and it’s sad. Perhaps that is why I find myself “not crying” (I didn’t blink, remember). How do we go from rocking them to sleep to them finding great joy in being able to carrying us around? Yeah – my 14-year-old is 5’10”, and he thinks it’s awesome that he can pick me up. As we march along, memories of their mannerisms and little faces start to fade. The memories that remain are of particular events like their births, first birthdays, or vacations at the beach. I think the most painful part is that it’s hard to remember holding them, nursing them, fill in the blank. You know you did it, but it seems like it was so long ago that the memory is a little blurry. Maybe it’s just hard to remember the emotions you felt doing those things, or we miss that sweet, innocent nature of babies. I could be crazy, but I miss them waking at night and needing me…. that’s what it all boils down to – NEED.
I think some of us live through the baby season thinking about how great it will be when they grow up. We don’t have to pay for sitters, and we certainly don’t have to clean up the floor after they eat anymore. Do we look to the future so much that the present is just something to get past? I’m pretty sure I did that at times. I could have been more present. I could have worried less about getting things done and focused more on enjoying my three boys. Let’s be honest – those were the easier days. You don’t know it at the time--at least I didn’t. They still need you to love, encourage, support, and discipline them but the rules change……….
To be continued……
Heather