Some of the most important relationships I’ve formed as a young mom are with women who have children around my own age. My mom, my aunts, mentor moms at MOPS, and other women I’ve met along the way who have helped with advice, perspective, and a listening ear.
One thing I’ve heard from them all is that, while the little years are hard, they never regretted staying home for that season. It’s fast and before you know it, the kids are in school and need you in different, less time-consuming ways. (I typed this last sentence at the same time Elle climbed into my lap. Time-consuming, indeed…)
I know that, by the time I’m a grandma, I’ll look back nostalgically. Maybe these women are looking at life through rose-colored glasses. But I kind of want that. I want to look back at these years with fondness, letting the hard moments fade. I want to look back and know that this was a good choice for our family.
I’ve been thinking about this perspective lately. I feel like it can apply to so many areas and life decisions. What will we look back on without regret? What choices will we make that, when we’re looking back through shiny memory, we’ll smile fondly? I suppose this is like successful businessmen looking back and never regretting saying no to a client and yes to their family, even if it felt like a big decision at the moment.
I just dropped off Elle’s preschool registration for next year. She’ll only be gone two mornings a week but that glimpse into future freedom has me reflecting on how I spend my time. What am I doing with those “free” moments? How will I make choices now that will help me look back on this season without regret, with fond, rose-colored memories?
What about you? What are choices you made (or are making) that will define how you look back on life?
Linked with Five Minute Friday, a time to write without editing. Today’s prompt is “regret.”
Annie Rim 
This is a lovely post, Annie! In a talk about making decisions that I heard a while ago, the speaker said you should think of yourself telling the story to someone in fifty years time- which story would you be proud to tell? I’m sure you will have many lovely memories with your kids to look back on. As you say the time when they’re young will be over before you know it!
I love this image – how do I want to tell my story? That really brings a reality to it, doesn’t it? I see how quickly the time passed before our oldest started kindergarten, which has helped when I get antsy for The Next Thing. Thanks so much for your encouragement!
Thanks for sharing. I agree it’s good for us to ask ourselves these questions about what we’ll look back on with regret because of not living intentionally today. It sounds to me like you’re a great mom and will have some fond memories when you’re a grandma. 🙂 I’m visiting from FMF.
Thanks, Christy! It can be so easy for me to worry about things I might regret, rather than trusting and living in the moment. It’ll be interesting to see what I do remember when I’m a grandma… 😉
I’ve heard many moms say that they never regretted staying home.
Yes! I don’t think anyone has said they wished they’d worked. I’m holding onto that wisdom when I get itchy for something different…
I am in my 50s. For that reason, I often take a retrospective glance, wondering if I made a positive impact.Now that I have grandchildren my main goal is to be intentional about making lasting memories with them. I love your post encouraging us to think now about tomorrow. Wisdom!
I love this! It seems like grandkids put a lot of life into perspective… 😉
I will echo those thoughts – no regrets with staying with my little ones when I was able. Such a blessing!!
I love hearing stories of women remembering these years with fondness. It’s so encouraging – thank you!