babble » blogs » Strollerderby
Strollerderby
Which Parenting Moments Leave You in Tears?
Pardon the melodrama, but sometimes being a parent makes you cry. And not always the pull-your-hair-out or I’ve-failed-again tears. Happy tears! Some situations stir up happy tears.
The Fall is one time of the year that can trigger these happy tears, especially if you’ve got a 4-, 5- or 6-year-old off to school, real school, for the first time. Though the first day of preschool can also bring on the waterworks, if you’re like me and emotional during big transitions. Even first time at a new daycare leaves me dabbing away drips of mascara. I know, I’m weak.
So since my middle kid just started Kindergarten and my youngest a new daycare, I’ve seen the business side of a handkerchief more than I care to this week. But it’s not just pushing kids into the care of others that make me feel wistful and proud and happy and bummed all at once. There are other kid milestones that do/did the same.
Over at SFGate, Peter Hartlaub lists the moments that leave him weepy: first time his kids wear a backpack, first time they sat through a movie, last night in a crib, any time they’re with his parents. His commenters list theirs: first time finishing a big hike, moving “kid” into the dorms, each month when the daycare bill arrives.
I know moms who cried the last time they nursed each kid. I know dads who wept the first time they held their babies. I tear up during any performance my kid is in — I don’t care how small a role, how insignificant the performance. I also cried the first time my oldest rode a carnival ride by herself, during each of my kids’ first shots (though I blame breastfeeding hormones for that). I even cried once during a parent-teacher conference, much to the horror of my daughter and my husband. (That one I blame on the fact that I was 9+ months pregnant. To the teacher’s credit, he kept right on talking as if every mom sobbed when her child’s progress is praised.)
I’m also apt to start sniffling when reading to my kids — but that’s more a credit to the author than the fact that I’m a parent, though some kid situations weigh more heavily on me now as a mom than they may have had I read them as a kid (see: Junie B. Jones. … I know!).
Give us your grown-up cry baby moments. Nothing sad! What happy/poignant/wistful things make you cry?
More Posts
Does a Boy in Red Shoes Need to be Fixed?
Do Your Stretch Marks Make You Sad?
Drop and Give Me 20 (Grapes!). Lunch Lady Boot Camp
Single Error Costs State Millions
Easy Answer to Redshirting Problem
School Fundraising Fundamentally Unfair
Crayon Maker’s Longtime Secret
First Day of School Hard for Parents
Baby Balloons to 44 Pounds on Breast Milk
Photo: gospelcrumbs.com
Go Back To Strollerderby
0 Comments
[...] Are You a Cry Baby Mama? [...]
Comic Books Explain Childhood Disease | Strollerderby commented on Aug 31 10 at 6:06 pmNicky's mom commented on Aug 31 10 at 7:38 pmHearing my little guy say Mom for the first time made me cry like a baby. He holds onto the last “m” for a while, sort of like “Mommmm”. Love it! It still makes my nose burn sometimes- though I’ll admit the cute factor is considerably diminished when it’s coming from the next room at 2 am.
He’s 17 months now, and I fully expect to cry whenever something new and momentous happens in his life. I’ll be that mom.
Linda commented on Aug 31 10 at 9:58 pmMy “baby” starts kindy tomorrow morning. I know I’m going to weep. And then the older kids will mock me. The circle of life.
DaDa Rocks! commented on Aug 31 10 at 11:35 pmtaking my child to the doctor is all I need… it sucks!
goddess commented on Sep 01 10 at 8:02 amGraduations, going away to college- I bawled all the way home. Was bummed that weekend and better by Monday. It’s the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. But they are no longer just “yours”, IYKWIM.
Twintown commented on Sep 01 10 at 10:05 amThere’s something about when my kids show bravery that just gets me. My dd and I were in a friend’s wedding. DD was three and very nervous. I tried to give her a pep talk before I went in, but I knew she was still upset. Finally, when it was her turn to come in, she did a great job! She came in by herself; she looked so little and brave walking down the aisle alone that I lost it. The wedding guests probably thought I was insane. I cried more than the mother of the bride!
Also, when my son mastered the jungle gym that had terrified him for years, I cried so much it gave me a headache. But when I looked up and saw him at the top, calling for me to come see, I couldn’t hold it in.
And when I’m crying, please don’t be nice to me. The poor unsuspecting art teacher who gave me a hug when I was crying on the first day of kindergarten found that out the hard way. I actually offered to dry clean her blouse:)
Rosana commented on Sep 01 10 at 10:17 amThe only time I have felt that I was going to throw up because I had a big nod in my stomach was when I had to move my son to a new daycare. The anticipation of leaving him in a new place with people he did not know made want to throw up. I did not cry but I guess I should have so that horrible felling wouldn’t have lasted that long.
I know that there is going to be more moments that will leave me in tears in the future, but that one has been the one for me so far.
Amy commented on Sep 01 10 at 10:54 amWhen my daughter – almost 3 – just said last night, “mommy, I don’t need you – I do it allll by myself” when she went to the potty. (She is now tall enough to get on the toilet.). Sniff, sniff.
Add your take:
Note: Babble is a supportive, diverse community. We encourage a range of opinions,
but any unduly hostile comments will be removed.
Comments are delayed up to 15 minutes
Lori Garcia 
Joslyn Gray 
Amber Doty 
Julianna Miner 
Monica Bielanko 
Sierra Black 
Meredith Carroll 
Carolyn Castiglia 
Sunny Chanel 
Madeline Holler 
Rebecca Odes 
Danielle Smith 
Danielle Sullivan 
Katherine Stone 
The Walt Disney Company supports Babble as a platform dedicated to honest, engaged, informed, intelligent and open conversation about parenting. However, the opinions expressed on this site are those of individual parents/writers and do not reflect the views of Disney. In addition, content provided on this site is for entertainment or informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or safety advice.
0