Prior to having my son, I was an inherently selfish individual. I couldn’t imagine sharing my time or space with anyone that wasn’t able to articulate a conversation, pay for dinner or argue with me on the latest plight of black folks. I was determined and single-minded in my focus to climb the corporate ladder and leave the chaos of parenting to folks better equipped to handle it. I craved travel and per diems and detested dirty diapers and incessant crying.
I was single minded and single focused on what I wanted and children were not part of that plan. Children reminded me of bondage and captivity. I would be tied to this one individual for the rest of their life. Melodramatic? Possibly, but I have a great excuse…I was a product of a broken home.
A broken home where I watched love between a husband and wife being played out like a bad soap opera. Marriage sucked and I didn’t want to do it. Having to raise my brother and sister while my mom worked left me resenting children because I was giving up my childhood caring for someone else’s kids. It’s true, but I told you that I was selfish right?
The other day, Munch and I were having a disagreement about breakfast and his food choices. He got mad because I replied, “Munch, we’ve talked about this back and forth debate when I tell you that is enough. You need to stop trying to argue. Why are you continuing to try and plead your case? The discussion is over.” He got mad at me and sat silently on the edge of his bed with tears rolling down his face. I went over to him and said, “Munch, I love you.” He shook his head in reply. I repeated, “Munch, I love you.” He shook his head again. I said, “Munch, the things about mommies is that sometimes we will make you feel sad because we will tell you things that you don’t want to hear, but we still love you. You should never not tell me you love me because I will never stop telling you that I love you. Do you understand?”
He looked at me and smiled through his tears and shook his head. I repeated, “Munch, I love you.” He responded, “I love you too Mommy.” My heart swelled and I leaned down to kiss him. I started reliving the moments of his birth, his first laugh, his first word and the first time he walked. I was reminded of how he’s changed me by just being him. It is in his smile that I feel invincible. It is in his tears that I feel vulnerable. And it is in his laugh that I feel valuable. I am his mom. He is my son. No greater bond. He shapes my views each day with random thoughts, quirks or observations about the world. He challenges my position on things by asking the basic question…why mommy?
I no longer feel like I missed out on something because I’m a mom. I don’t cry because I can’t get to the latest party or concert because I’m on mommy duty. I don’t care that I don’t have a job that takes me on business travel. I embrace the fact that motherhood has changed me. I honor and accept it because he’s changed me. He has allowed me to lead, guide, shape and mold his identity. I don’t need hookah or late nights, I need story time and hugs and kisses because I’m a better person with him than without him.
A Thomas Point of View 
Reblogged this on A Thomas Point of View and commented:
Here’s a #FBF (Flash Back Friday) post I wrote about parenting a couple of years ago.
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I seriously held back a tear on this! It is so beautiful! Though I am a step mom of 3 young adults now there is nothing like the bond between a mother and her child. I look forward to one day having the experience of motherhood and I honor all mothers who do it with so much gentle love and care as you, Blessings! God works in mysterious ways….:)
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Aww, thank you so much. Best wishes to your future bundle. :>)
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Aww thank you!
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I love this. Brought tears! Reminded of so many similar situations with my son. My kids are my greatest gift. It’s funny parents think we are teaching our children and we are but they teach us just as much as we teach them.
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Yes. I can’t believe the lessons that he’s taught me. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
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Having a child changed my world upside down too. I thought I would miss all the crazy parties but I don’t. Our children confirm the true beauty and what it is to be happy in this life
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Yes, they truly do. It makes you wonder what you ever did before becoming a mother.
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Love how you explain things to Munch
🙂
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Thank you. I try. Sometimes he catches me off guard and I’m like “Um, I don’t know.”
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I think it’s healthy to tell our children “I don’t know”, because it’s the truth.
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Left me in the emotional world
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This is a lovely one. I guess that’s why people who have known mother’s love like me find it hard to hurt her or lie to her. You are doing a great job Tikeetha! Well done!
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Thank you so much.
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Such a beautiful, beautiful post. I can understand how you felt as a young child having to take responsibility for your siblings at a young age. Parenting is not a drive in the park quite alright, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I once had a job that took me on business travels and it grew old after a while. I fretted more about the well being of my children in my absence, that’s when I knew that the job wasn’t worth all the time away from my family.
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Yes. I was so happy when I had my son and the markets turned in 2008 and travel was stopped for my position. I was like “yeah, I just had a kid. I don’t want to travel.” I’ve never looked back since. I think I was made to be a mother.
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So nice to meet you and your son. I love his cute smile. A heart warming post Teekitha.
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Hi, Thank you so much.
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