Oh, Honestly!

Real Life for Real Moms

The Lie Every Parent Wants to Believe

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I stand in your bedroom doorway as tears create rivulets down my cheeks, pooling on my chin for a millisecond before splashing onto my shirt. You are sound asleep, curled on your side facing the wall.

We say it to our kids and we say it to ourselves all the while knowing it's not true. It's the lie every parent wants to believe.

The Lie Every Parent Wants to Believe

I sneak across the wood floor and lay beside you, on top of the blankets. The sudden restriction causes you to turn towards me onto your back. You throw an arm above your head. It stretches across my face, but I leave it there and drape my arm over your chest.

I stare at your profile in the semi-darkness. The curve of your forehead and the contours of your cheeks give evidence of the baby you were not long ago.

You told me yesterday that superheroes aren’t your favorite anymore. I felt the sinews of my heart stretch when you said those words. Batman adorns your walls, the dress-up bin is filled with every superhero costume there is, the first stories you told as a toddler were filled with the heroics of your bevy of made-up crime fighters.

My lips are inches from your ear and I almost whisper, “You’re not supposed to grow up,” but I don’t because it’s a lie. A lie I want desperately to believe right now, but a lie all the same.

School begins in a few days; your first foray into the big kid world. I suppose it’s fitting that your favorites are changing along with this new season of life. As your world expands, my heart continues to stretch. It’s necessary, I know, but it’s also painful.

I lean in, whisper, “I love you,” and kiss your head. A single tear, my tear, glistens on your temple. I stare at it for a moment, then wipe it away. You don’t need the heartache of your mama spilling onto you, holding you back from a lifetime of adventures.

I slip out of your room, leaving the words I want to say unsaid, and thinking new words instead, words that one day maybe I’ll believe:

Grow up, sweet boy. It’s what you’re meant to do.

 

 

Parenting is hard, but we’re better together. Will you join me?

About Lauren

If you enjoy picture-perfect home decor, perfectly prepared recipes, and perfectly behaved children, you've come to the wrong place. Meet Lauren. She isn't perfect, but she's perfectly real.

Comments

  1. Heather aka HoJo says

    It’s hard! I love watching my little man grow, but I also want him to stay little forever. Thank you for your honesty! You put into words what I think every single day!

  2. Caryn says

    Like your son was with super heroes, my son was OBSESSED with Thomas the train for almost four years. When he started Kindergarten the other kids weren’t into it, so he stopped playing with trains. We probably spent several thousand dollars throughout the years on trains, tracks, big promo Thomas toys, shirts, sheets and anything else “Thomas.” It wasn’t so much about the money, but more so about the commitment we made to Thomas and his friends. I can’t believe that in one year, the little train is no longer a part of our lives. I guess it was bound to happen. It’s bittersweet, but sad all the same.

  3. Tiphanie S says

    I’ve been reading this and re-reading this for the last two weeks. Your words so beautifully describe my heart right now. Even down to the superheroes. My little one started kinder last week and I’ve been quite the train wreck. Thank you for putting into words what I could never so eloquently say. This season of life is unbearably hard!

    • Lauren says

      Thanks so much for commenting Tiphanie! I’m glad I could at least let you know you’re not alone in this season! We will get through it, as much as it sometimes seems like we won’t.

  4. Sheryl Grey says

    That is absolutely beautiful and so true! My 12-year-old son is my youngest, and I just want to hang on to his childhood a little (okay, a lot) longer.