One of the things I love best about this platform, this community, is the unique level of togetherness it encourages. Writers, artists, creators, are just a sensitive bunch, and so to read in a moment someone else’s experience (yours!) that so mirrors that moment for the reader (me!) is… oof… like so many sandbags off my shoulders. (Heavy, also not cute.)
Yes. It’s always both/and, including the existence of seemingly conflicting emotions *and* our silly human reluctance to acknowledge how so many things can be true. Empty and bountiful, stuck while still moving through. Thank you, Jenna. 💞
Thanks, Bree, for such an eloquently stated comment. Life is a collection of complicated moments and thank god for our ability to express and share them in ways that connect with others. There is so much to criticize about the internet and social media, but this is not one of them. ❤️
Thanks so much for pointing out that modern life is bonkers - a fact that’s left out from criticism of modern parenting. I would agree with letting kids fail, flounder and fend for themselves but the framework they have to do this in is very different to the one we grew up in. Here’s to finding some sort of balance!
Absolutely, especially when older generations have failed them in so many ways in regards to climate and policies. The balance is what I'm referring to when I say that we're still finding the edges of our boundaries and I imagine it looks different for every family.
Hmmm....interesting theory! I am not sure! But maybe there's something in there. Like that article about parental hovering I linked, it's so much easier to communicate, track, and see what your kids are doing...so maybe!
Thank you so much for this. I am gearing up to go through this next Fall. One is already gone and the second is in her last year of high school. Have no idea what is waiting for me on the other side when my life has been structured around their needs. Thanks for the humanity of the experience.
Beautifully said, and I know this day will come for me soon enough. Parenting, motherhood -- it's so complex, emotionally, and so intertwined with self. And we know this period of time is finite, it's bittersweet, hard to accept the break we need to make in order for our kids to be their whole selves in the world. ❤️
I feel like 20 different emotions every day. I think about that quote, "you're only as happy as your least happy child." I wish I had more separation and I wish this quote wasn't true, but shit...it really is.
Oh god. One day I will remember not to open your newsletter without tissues in hand.
My grandmother once told me when I complained of the utter havoc my son was wreaking on my furniture that one day I would look at those marks and see love instead of destruction. I think about what it will be like when Oscar is a grown man and it is so impossible to imagine.
Lately he's taken to asking me if we can all just stay the same, like we are now, forever. He never wants this time to end. Ahh shit now I'm crying again.
My youngest would say that. She said it this year even. It's why I worried so much about dropping her off and my heart sank when I felt like my fears were coming true. But I'm happy to say that she said she was happy when I got on a call with her today. My heart 🥹
SIGHHHH. YES. HUGS. It’s so hard. It’s so wonderful. It’s a roller coaster. It sucks. It’s amazing. Your daughter is brave and amazing! We all deserve medals, Jenna.
Although I'm not a parent, this was so beautifully written and made me think of how my mom must have felt when I finally went off to college. The feeling I had seeing my mom let me go & begin the early parts of adulthood was bittersweet. I will always look back and appreciate that moment, because it was also the start of healing, redefining and cherishing the relationship we had whenever I'd come home. Thank you for sharing your experience, in all its honesty.
Thank you Eril! It’s really so interesting to relive that moment from the other side because I too remember so much from that time, even though it was sooooo long ago at this point.
This was so beautifully written. I am at the very early stages of motherhood (my daughter just turned 9 months old) but I find myself jumping ahead at times: when she's 2, 5, a teen, in her 20s etc. Thank you for giving me a little peek into how hard it is to parent but also how much love there is in letting go (but also in being there!) 💛
Thank you so much! And your daughter is still so tiny! You have oceans of time and each phase will bring joy, challenges, and heartbreak. And as I’m learning (again) at this very moment, I am still parenting, but from afar and over FaceTime :)
One of the things I love best about this platform, this community, is the unique level of togetherness it encourages. Writers, artists, creators, are just a sensitive bunch, and so to read in a moment someone else’s experience (yours!) that so mirrors that moment for the reader (me!) is… oof… like so many sandbags off my shoulders. (Heavy, also not cute.)
Yes. It’s always both/and, including the existence of seemingly conflicting emotions *and* our silly human reluctance to acknowledge how so many things can be true. Empty and bountiful, stuck while still moving through. Thank you, Jenna. 💞
Thanks, Bree, for such an eloquently stated comment. Life is a collection of complicated moments and thank god for our ability to express and share them in ways that connect with others. There is so much to criticize about the internet and social media, but this is not one of them. ❤️
Thanks so much for pointing out that modern life is bonkers - a fact that’s left out from criticism of modern parenting. I would agree with letting kids fail, flounder and fend for themselves but the framework they have to do this in is very different to the one we grew up in. Here’s to finding some sort of balance!
Absolutely, especially when older generations have failed them in so many ways in regards to climate and policies. The balance is what I'm referring to when I say that we're still finding the edges of our boundaries and I imagine it looks different for every family.
Yes and I’d nearly guess that boundaries may not have been so individual to each family before but more agreed on as communities?
Hmmm....interesting theory! I am not sure! But maybe there's something in there. Like that article about parental hovering I linked, it's so much easier to communicate, track, and see what your kids are doing...so maybe!
Thank you so much for this. I am gearing up to go through this next Fall. One is already gone and the second is in her last year of high school. Have no idea what is waiting for me on the other side when my life has been structured around their needs. Thanks for the humanity of the experience.
Enjoy this last year with your youngest. It's such a rollercoaster year of emotions—savor every bit of it. ❤️
Beautifully said, and I know this day will come for me soon enough. Parenting, motherhood -- it's so complex, emotionally, and so intertwined with self. And we know this period of time is finite, it's bittersweet, hard to accept the break we need to make in order for our kids to be their whole selves in the world. ❤️
I feel like 20 different emotions every day. I think about that quote, "you're only as happy as your least happy child." I wish I had more separation and I wish this quote wasn't true, but shit...it really is.
Oh god. One day I will remember not to open your newsletter without tissues in hand.
My grandmother once told me when I complained of the utter havoc my son was wreaking on my furniture that one day I would look at those marks and see love instead of destruction. I think about what it will be like when Oscar is a grown man and it is so impossible to imagine.
Lately he's taken to asking me if we can all just stay the same, like we are now, forever. He never wants this time to end. Ahh shit now I'm crying again.
My youngest would say that. She said it this year even. It's why I worried so much about dropping her off and my heart sank when I felt like my fears were coming true. But I'm happy to say that she said she was happy when I got on a call with her today. My heart 🥹
SIGHHHH. YES. HUGS. It’s so hard. It’s so wonderful. It’s a roller coaster. It sucks. It’s amazing. Your daughter is brave and amazing! We all deserve medals, Jenna.
Just got off a call with her and she is happy! I feel lighter. It was quite stressful and worrisome for a bit there.
Although I'm not a parent, this was so beautifully written and made me think of how my mom must have felt when I finally went off to college. The feeling I had seeing my mom let me go & begin the early parts of adulthood was bittersweet. I will always look back and appreciate that moment, because it was also the start of healing, redefining and cherishing the relationship we had whenever I'd come home. Thank you for sharing your experience, in all its honesty.
Thank you Eril! It’s really so interesting to relive that moment from the other side because I too remember so much from that time, even though it was sooooo long ago at this point.
This was so beautifully written. I am at the very early stages of motherhood (my daughter just turned 9 months old) but I find myself jumping ahead at times: when she's 2, 5, a teen, in her 20s etc. Thank you for giving me a little peek into how hard it is to parent but also how much love there is in letting go (but also in being there!) 💛
Thank you so much! And your daughter is still so tiny! You have oceans of time and each phase will bring joy, challenges, and heartbreak. And as I’m learning (again) at this very moment, I am still parenting, but from afar and over FaceTime :)
Thanks for your beautiful writing. I always find a sense of calm in your words.
Thank you, Janet, for reading and leaving this comment. Appreciate it, always.