I love this! The idea of being a team is so powerful. When kids grow up knowing they can rely on you and that you’re all in it together, it makes all the difference. Those silly moments are a bonus, but also super important! Thanks for sharing this. It’s such a great reminder of the strength of teamwork.
For me it is about ensuring they feel loved and listened to - that their experiences are valid and they are welcome to share their inner world with me and others. That, I hope translate into them feeling they can advocate for themselves because they have voice and don't have to feel they need to conceal their true selves.
Yes, exactly—when they feel loved, listened to, and that their voices truly matter, it sets such a solid foundation for them to advocate for themselves. That kind of support is everything. I love how you’re prioritizing that openness—it’s such a powerful gift.
I must echo the beautiful sentiments already stated and suppose I will just add that I hope they remember how I sometimes made them laugh when they needed it the most.
Yes—laughter! In the lighthearted moments and the tough times, it’s such a powerful way to connect and lift each other up. The world—and kids, and parents, too—need more laughter. I’m so glad you added that to the discussion!
I love this! What a beautiful reminder that our kids give us purpose and make us better in ways we may not always realize. They gift *us* with life-changing lessons that shape us in such profound ways. Thanks for sharing this.
That you for the great prompt! It’s these types of reflections that serve as helpful reminders to reframe our daily stress into signals that indicate how much we care and how lucky we are.
I want to echo yours, Erin. I hope my children feel "loved, held, guided, and never alone" because of the security of our attachment and know that they bear no burden for my wellbeing. I'm in charge of that, and as a result, they are free to become who they're meant to become and know that I am big enough to be there for them when things are messy and painful. I don't ever want them to think they have to keep secrets from me to protect me because my identity is attached to the way their lives look.
The way you’ve expressed the balance between being there for them and holding your own well-being is so powerful. It’s a gift to show them that they can be free to become who they are meant to be, without the weight of worrying about our emotional needs. That kind of secure attachment gives them the space to grow, knowing they have you to lean on no matter what. Thank you for sharing this—it’s a beautiful reminder of what it means to love with both strength and vulnerability.
That’s such a powerful intention. It's the kind of unconditional support that gives them the strength to face whatever comes their way. I love the way you're thinking about your role in their lives.
I hope to be remembered for always showing up. Whether things were smooth or tough, I hope I’ve made sure my kids know they can count on me. Home is a place where they feel stable, supported, and loved—no matter what. That’s what I want them to carry—the feeling that no matter where life takes them, they always have a place to return to.
I've been thinking about this concept a lot without realizing it. We joked yesterday on the phone about how yesterday was seriously the only time I can remember that you didn't answer my call on the first ring. Whether it was jumping in the pool with all our clothes on the night before surgery; or always being ready to talk us through the volleyball drama after a late night practice, you have been there through every moment. Thanks for always showing up in the big and the small, because I know now you did it so many times without any gas in the tank. I love you!
My girl! The tank may have been empty for other reasons, but you’ve always filled it right back up. And I’d do all of it a thousand times over, again and again. It is my greatest joy and biggest honor being your mom. I’m so thankful for you and for all those moments you’ve shared your life with me. So proud of who you are. Thanks for this, babe. Love you to the moon!
That I always believed they could, even when they didn't believe in themselves.
I love this—deeply. It might be the most universal need children have, and yet one so many parents unintentionally miss.
Yes exactly. We've lost these simple parenting truths. But writers like you help us remember.
What a kind thing to say—thank you!
I hope they remember that we are always a team and I hope they remember all the silly moments we have.
I love this! The idea of being a team is so powerful. When kids grow up knowing they can rely on you and that you’re all in it together, it makes all the difference. Those silly moments are a bonus, but also super important! Thanks for sharing this. It’s such a great reminder of the strength of teamwork.
For me it is about ensuring they feel loved and listened to - that their experiences are valid and they are welcome to share their inner world with me and others. That, I hope translate into them feeling they can advocate for themselves because they have voice and don't have to feel they need to conceal their true selves.
Yes, exactly—when they feel loved, listened to, and that their voices truly matter, it sets such a solid foundation for them to advocate for themselves. That kind of support is everything. I love how you’re prioritizing that openness—it’s such a powerful gift.
I must echo the beautiful sentiments already stated and suppose I will just add that I hope they remember how I sometimes made them laugh when they needed it the most.
Yes—laughter! In the lighthearted moments and the tough times, it’s such a powerful way to connect and lift each other up. The world—and kids, and parents, too—need more laughter. I’m so glad you added that to the discussion!
I hope my kids n' grandkids simply remember, "He was always there..."
Steadfast and unwavering. I’m 100% sure that’s what your kids and grandkids will remember. ❤️
Thank you!
That I was involved and they were my priority.
No matter what happened, everything I did channeled back to them.
They gave me purpose. They made me better. They were my Why.
I love this! What a beautiful reminder that our kids give us purpose and make us better in ways we may not always realize. They gift *us* with life-changing lessons that shape us in such profound ways. Thanks for sharing this.
That you for the great prompt! It’s these types of reflections that serve as helpful reminders to reframe our daily stress into signals that indicate how much we care and how lucky we are.
I want to echo yours, Erin. I hope my children feel "loved, held, guided, and never alone" because of the security of our attachment and know that they bear no burden for my wellbeing. I'm in charge of that, and as a result, they are free to become who they're meant to become and know that I am big enough to be there for them when things are messy and painful. I don't ever want them to think they have to keep secrets from me to protect me because my identity is attached to the way their lives look.
The way you’ve expressed the balance between being there for them and holding your own well-being is so powerful. It’s a gift to show them that they can be free to become who they are meant to be, without the weight of worrying about our emotional needs. That kind of secure attachment gives them the space to grow, knowing they have you to lean on no matter what. Thank you for sharing this—it’s a beautiful reminder of what it means to love with both strength and vulnerability.
I hope they'll remember that they can always come home, talk, get a hug, whatever they need. I want to be their backup, their safe zone.
That’s such a powerful intention. It's the kind of unconditional support that gives them the strength to face whatever comes their way. I love the way you're thinking about your role in their lives.
It's the way I was raised.
I hope to be remembered for always showing up. Whether things were smooth or tough, I hope I’ve made sure my kids know they can count on me. Home is a place where they feel stable, supported, and loved—no matter what. That’s what I want them to carry—the feeling that no matter where life takes them, they always have a place to return to.
I've been thinking about this concept a lot without realizing it. We joked yesterday on the phone about how yesterday was seriously the only time I can remember that you didn't answer my call on the first ring. Whether it was jumping in the pool with all our clothes on the night before surgery; or always being ready to talk us through the volleyball drama after a late night practice, you have been there through every moment. Thanks for always showing up in the big and the small, because I know now you did it so many times without any gas in the tank. I love you!
My girl! The tank may have been empty for other reasons, but you’ve always filled it right back up. And I’d do all of it a thousand times over, again and again. It is my greatest joy and biggest honor being your mom. I’m so thankful for you and for all those moments you’ve shared your life with me. So proud of who you are. Thanks for this, babe. Love you to the moon!
Well this little exchange just about made me cry.
🧡