Such a beautiful piece! I really feel like Motherhood is a series of goodbyes and hellos... heart aching and beautiful and messy and so much paradox in each moment. We are always being birthed into something new with them and that is one of the greatest gifts! She is a lucky little soul to have you as her Mama xxx
I love how you described motherhood as a series of goodbyes and hellos too, soo beautiful! It's really such a bittersweet journey of constantly learning what it means to let go. I feel so lucky to have her as my daughter!
"I’ve gone from being the ship to becoming the captain, and she’s now my first mate. I lead her, but she decides in the end what is best for herself." WOWOWOWOWOOW
Beautifully articulated. Holding the tension between worlds and life phases. So many little and big moments of weaning. And you're right, these moments continue through their life. My son is 14 and cannot wait to start drivers Ed and get his permit. One more place for me to let go. And I am in the "wild woman" phase of my life and it's overriding theme is "letting go". Thank you for your insights and as I read, I had my own moments of remembering my son and,I 12 years ago when he was 2 and I was 32. I'm not crying. Lol
This is so beautiful, Jess. Thank you for sharing!! I love how you described it as little and big moments of weaning, that is absolutely accurate. Goodness, these kids just destroy us in all the best ways! 😂 I can't imagine that Maverick will be your son's age in the blink of an eye. And I love that you're in your wild woman phase, what a beautiful theme to be in!
This is beautiful, Hunter! We’re not far from our next big phase - weaning. I’m just trying my hardest to cling on to these night feeds and tiny baby snuggles for as long as I can. I’m so going to miss this phase 😔
Jul 14, 2023·edited Jul 14, 2023Liked by Hunter Burgtorf
Well, I’m a subscriber now. I have been reflecting on this same tension (is that the right word?)—her needing to do things herself and less me doing for her. It came so quickly and it made me reflective on mothers in previous generations who were taught motherhood was the penultimate identity and role. This much shifting and changing would make me miserable if I wasn’t aware that this “intense, all-hands-on-deck” energy is done quite quickly. That my child needing me will necessarily change and my role is to model how to shift through all the beginnings and endings. You said everything so beautifully. There’s an airy soulfulness here. Really glad to have found your writing.
Thank you for subscribing! Ah yes, it's so interesting, isn't it? I find that I feel more purpose than ever before being her mother, but I also feel a drive so intense for making my own way too than I ever did before becoming a mom, if that makes sense. I feel so honored that you described my writing as an 'airy soulfulness', how beautiful. Thank you so much for being here!
This might be a little forward, but do you ever publish guest posts? My substack is more focused on editing/writing/writer life, and I don't really have an outlet for writing occasionally about mom life, healing and the interplay of motherhood after losing two babes in the second trimester. I thought I would suck at being a mom (while everyone else said I'd be great) and, 17 months in, I'm actually feeling OK about it all. Things are coming full circle and then splattering in every direction at the same time and I'm surprised to be riding the waves.
Ooh, I've honestly never thought about guest posts on my own page. I am definitely open to it, let me ponder how we can do that and I will get back to you. I'm so honored you would want to share your experience with my readers! Thank you!!
Such a beautiful piece! I really feel like Motherhood is a series of goodbyes and hellos... heart aching and beautiful and messy and so much paradox in each moment. We are always being birthed into something new with them and that is one of the greatest gifts! She is a lucky little soul to have you as her Mama xxx
I love how you described motherhood as a series of goodbyes and hellos too, soo beautiful! It's really such a bittersweet journey of constantly learning what it means to let go. I feel so lucky to have her as my daughter!
‘I really feel like Motherhood is a series of goodbyes and hellos’. Perfectly said Lauren! 💛✨
She nailed it!
"I’ve gone from being the ship to becoming the captain, and she’s now my first mate. I lead her, but she decides in the end what is best for herself." WOWOWOWOWOOW
I love that you love this line. Motherhood is a freakin' wild journey, isn't it?
Beautifully articulated. Holding the tension between worlds and life phases. So many little and big moments of weaning. And you're right, these moments continue through their life. My son is 14 and cannot wait to start drivers Ed and get his permit. One more place for me to let go. And I am in the "wild woman" phase of my life and it's overriding theme is "letting go". Thank you for your insights and as I read, I had my own moments of remembering my son and,I 12 years ago when he was 2 and I was 32. I'm not crying. Lol
This is so beautiful, Jess. Thank you for sharing!! I love how you described it as little and big moments of weaning, that is absolutely accurate. Goodness, these kids just destroy us in all the best ways! 😂 I can't imagine that Maverick will be your son's age in the blink of an eye. And I love that you're in your wild woman phase, what a beautiful theme to be in!
This is beautiful, Hunter! We’re not far from our next big phase - weaning. I’m just trying my hardest to cling on to these night feeds and tiny baby snuggles for as long as I can. I’m so going to miss this phase 😔
Oh gosh yes, weaning is the thing I wasn't prepared for (and still am not perfect at if I'm being honest, haha). The tiny baby snuggles are magic!
Well, I’m a subscriber now. I have been reflecting on this same tension (is that the right word?)—her needing to do things herself and less me doing for her. It came so quickly and it made me reflective on mothers in previous generations who were taught motherhood was the penultimate identity and role. This much shifting and changing would make me miserable if I wasn’t aware that this “intense, all-hands-on-deck” energy is done quite quickly. That my child needing me will necessarily change and my role is to model how to shift through all the beginnings and endings. You said everything so beautifully. There’s an airy soulfulness here. Really glad to have found your writing.
Thank you for subscribing! Ah yes, it's so interesting, isn't it? I find that I feel more purpose than ever before being her mother, but I also feel a drive so intense for making my own way too than I ever did before becoming a mom, if that makes sense. I feel so honored that you described my writing as an 'airy soulfulness', how beautiful. Thank you so much for being here!
This might be a little forward, but do you ever publish guest posts? My substack is more focused on editing/writing/writer life, and I don't really have an outlet for writing occasionally about mom life, healing and the interplay of motherhood after losing two babes in the second trimester. I thought I would suck at being a mom (while everyone else said I'd be great) and, 17 months in, I'm actually feeling OK about it all. Things are coming full circle and then splattering in every direction at the same time and I'm surprised to be riding the waves.
Ooh, I've honestly never thought about guest posts on my own page. I am definitely open to it, let me ponder how we can do that and I will get back to you. I'm so honored you would want to share your experience with my readers! Thank you!!
Oh also, I know that Claire is currently holding a call out for motherhood guest posts here: https://companyoftwo.substack.com/p/company-of-two-and-you and Sarah over at Kindle Curiosity is doing guest posts on motherhood & creativity as well: https://sarahshotts.substack.com/p/you-are-a-writer-even-when-you-need.
But I will think about how I can do it best and reach out! Thank you for the inspiration!
yesssss ... I feel this energy to part the waters of the world like Moses everywhere I go. I want the world to be ready to welcome my girl.
I love this 🥹 my little one is turning one at the end of this month and I felt this in my soul
Awww yes! It's so insane when that first year creeps up and it felt like the longest and shortest time of your life all at once!