Jennifer from the Toronto based blog Rambling Renovators is here today with a heartfelt post about letting go. Thanks Jennifer!
Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to be guest posting here today on The Marion House Book. I’ve long admired Emma’s aesthetic and her ability to create stylish welcoming rooms, seemingly effortlessly. And as a mother, I love that a toddler and vintage Bertoia chairs can peacefully co-exist in her world!
Emma asked me to write on the biggest challenges and rewards I’ve experienced as a parent and for me, they go hand in hand. It’s in those moments when I let my daughter go and explore and test her own limits that I find myself both holding my breath and cheering her on. As a first time mother, my instinct was to hold close, maybe a little too close. I still find that I’m the one saying Be careful, Don’t do that, No no no… while Dad is the one who lets our girl wander a little bit farther, run faster and fall down more.
We were at the park the other day, and I let Chloe’s hand go so she could chase her dad down a steep hill. But she was running too fast for her little feet to keep up and she fell head over heels at the bottom, landing in a big muddy heap. I ran over to her, ready to soothe the inevitable cries – but instead, she got back up, trotted up that hill, and ran down again full speed, this time finishing safely on her two feet. “See Mommy, I can do it”.
That was my girl, pushing herself beyond my expectations. Isn’t that what we all struggle with? Teaching our children to the best versions of themselves, even when that means letting go, standing back, and hoping for the best? I’m still not comfortable with the letting go part, but I’m learning that in every finish line crossed, every bruise and bump she earns, I’m learning to be a better mother too. How wonderful for her to teach me that.
10 Comments
Sweet, sweet note. Thank you. It made my day.
Lovely post Jennifer and great photo!
So true Jen! But just wait until that baby girl graduates and is about to set off to university in another town, one province away! You realize that all you have taught them, hopefully, will guide them as they embark on adventures without you!
That’s such a sweet incident. It’s amazing how much kids can teach us.
A sweet post. Why do I feel my heart breaking every day as I let go just a little bit more? Sigh.
This is such a sweet post, Jen! Can’t wait to be a parent one day! Even though I dont know you more on a personal level yet but it’s still fun to see different people’s children growing up so fast! Have a lovely day!
So true. A real life lesson for mothers and the rest of us too.
Thanks for having me Emma! Hope you are enjoying time with the littles!
such a lovely post…
Great post Jen – so well written! Your story gave me little goosebumps. I can’t wait to be a mother one day and experience everything you both have experienced with your little ones.