• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Whitney English

Mindful Tools for a Meaningful Life

  • Planners
  • Desk Accessories
  • Health & Wellness
  • HEART GOALS™
  • SHOP NOW

Babies Don’t Keep

October 10, 2013 whitneyenglish 4 Comments

I’m just home from an amazing time at the Bliss & Bokeh retreat. It was so awesome to walk in the door to three little kiddos, all so excited to see me. As I rocked Charley to sleep last night, my heart was happy. A cuddly baby in my arms, sweet little boys downstairs playing trains–the kind of moments you want to freeze. And then a thought crept into my mind: babies don’t keep.

I’m not going to lie: I’m exhausted more days than not. My head gladly hits the pillow at 8:30 every night. If I stay up past 9:00, it’s normally only because I snagged a nap in the afternoon, or I have a deadline to meet. In the middle of that exhaustion, it’s so easy to wish that my babies were older. It’s easy to wish that they were all potty-trained, and polite, and knew how to wash their hands without being reminded. But babies don’t keep.

Sweet, cuddly, rocking chair moments have to be savored while I’m exhausted. Teaching has to be done while I’m drained. Reprimanding has to be done in love, even if I feel like I’m on that last mommy straw. Pictures have to be taken, NOW, because life is short, and precious, and babies don’t keep.

My prayer for myself, and all you mamas out there is that you’ll be blessed with the grace, strength, motivation, energy, and patience to love on those little ones every minute that you can. All too soon, they’ll be off to school, and those long, exhausted moments of patience being tried and willpower being tested will be gone.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Family

Get Updates!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Betsy says

    October 10, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    Such a sweet reminder.Thank you, Whitney! I came home to my little two year old baby who while I was gone must have grown ten inches and walks and talks like she’s four already. This is so true. Enjoy them! Missing you already!

    Reply
  2. Nykke says

    October 11, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    Thank you Whitney, this made me teary. Some days make it hard to be creative with a little person constantly chattering in your ear as they repeat every word that they have ever heard. Then on the days you get to dedicate to your work can leave you missing key moments in their lives, like my little girl finally riding a bike without training wheels (which I got to watch on my iPhone). As I watch my last little baby grow into a rambunctious little boy, my eldest boy is preparing for his last year of high school next year and my little girl is devouring books faster than she devours a chocolate chip cookie. Thank you for reminding me how short our time is together before they no longer want to give me a cuddle and kiss every 15 minutes.

    Reply
  3. traci zeller says

    October 12, 2013 at 3:40 pm

    It is so true, Whitney. I find myself breathing in every ounce of littleness left in my “all grown-up” seven year olds. Because, before you know it, that time is gone. Way, way too fast. On the other hand, I’ve also learned that “bigger kids mean bigger problems.” I surprise myself by longing for the times when they were littler … not potty-trained, not talking, not dealing with what-becomes-all-too-soon the realities of school and friendships and hurt feelings. And then I remind myself how hard that time was, too. What I come back around to is this: Being a parent doesn’t get easier; it just gets different. Thank you for your insight!
    xo,
    Traci

    Reply
  4. Wanda says

    October 17, 2013 at 10:00 pm

    I hear you! My girls are 11 and 7 years old and the other night my baby told me (while I was tucking her into bed) that she wished she was 4 again and after asking her why she said, “because if I was 4 again I can stay with you all day”. The truth is that she is growing up, but so am I and I am very blessed and thankful for that. She goes to school and I work on trying me best to build a business for them, for us.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About

Recent Posts

Spring Cleaning Checklist

April 2, 2022

What’s Your Planning Style: Daily or Weekly?

March 23, 2022

The Illness Kit Everyone Needs at Home

March 17, 2022

Favorite Recipes

My Favorite Family-Friendly Recipes

October 28, 2021

4 Great Fourth of July Recipes

June 28, 2021

Best Summer Fruit Dessert

May 24, 2021

Best Muffin Recipe Ever

April 2, 2021

Best Weeknight Meals

December 1, 2020

Three Favorite Fall Recipes

November 5, 2020

More Posts from this Category

Popular Posts

Footer

Recent Posts

  • 5 Tips for Planning a Great Summer
  • How to Create A More Beautiful Life
  • Organize Your Family’s Medical Information
  • Spring Cleaning Checklist
  • What’s Your Planning Style: Daily or Weekly?

Follow Along

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Get Updates!

Copyright © 2022 · WhitneyEnglish.com