The Balance of Motherhood

If I could go back and relive any portion of my life, I would choose the first few weeks with my first born. The newborn baby emotions are so strong, and I only had her to focus on. Those touching mothering moments do continue, thankfully, in just the necessary proportion to keep you from taking your children OUT when they get older.

The beauty and balance of motherhood is created by one beautiful moment to balance each disgusting one. And a lot of patience. Examples:

• Mustard colored, runny baby poop down the legs to balance the warm snuggly infant sleeping on your chest.
• Throwing their toddler food from the high chair to the floor balances the hug they spontaneously give with "I wuv you Mama!"
• Crying at the store because you said, "No" to candy balances with the joy of hearing them read to you in first grade.
• Your third-grader burps on purpose all through dinner is balanced by the joy of watching your children create a special bond with each other.
  
• Your high-school student out-and-out refuses to cooperate at a family function balances the pride you feel when they come happy about their grade on a school project.
• The cost of a new trampoline balances the joy of watching them have fun jumping.
• The pain of watching them struggle with a mistake they made balances their knowledge to handle it differently the next time.