The struggles of parenthood are real and they are valid—especially right now. And while it’s important to shine a light on the tough stuff to show parents they’re not alone, it’s equally vital to talk about all the good parts for the very same reason. And a recent, viral Twitter thread has accomplished just that.

Rose Stokes, a journalist based in the UK, is a first-time expecting mom. And just like all of us the first time around, she’s anxious about what lies ahead. Recently, she took to Twitter to crowdsource parents into sharing what they love about parenting—and the tweet quickly went viral.

“Without wanting to undermine the struggles of parenthood, which I know are huge, I’m getting a bit anxious with lots of people telling me how hard and difficult being a mother will be,” she tweeted. “As an antidote: parents of Twitter, what big or small things do you love about having children?”

And oh, did parents deliver. In one of the most lovely Twitter threads this author has ever read, moms and dads showed up in droves to share all the heartfelt, funny, and tender reasons they love being a parent.

Just read some of these responses and try not to smile. Or cry. I dare you!

The thread clearly resonated with many parents, yours truly included. It’s exactly the kind of thing we all need to read right now, not necessarily because we need a reminder of how much we love our kids. But because it feels so good to think of all the parenting moments that feel so good, right? And so many of these moments are universal—and all of these wonderful moments are the things we need to be sharing with expecting parents, too.

Rose tells Motherly she wasn’t expecting such a huge response, but is very grateful for everyone’s stories.

“I was quite overwhelmed to be honest!” she says. “I had been feeling quite anxious and the response was so incredible and positive. It really gave my mental health a boost and I subsequently sent it to every pregnant person/new mother or veteran mother I know.”

When you have kids, times can be tough whether there’s a global pandemic or not. And, like Rose said in her original tweet, all of those feelings are valid. But even if it’s hard to put into words exactly what we love about our children and our roles as their parents, we have to try—for the Roses of the world, for our kids, and most importantly for ourselves.

“I am sure there will be hard times,” she says. “But it’s important to know that these can co-exist with a lot of beauty and joy.”

When it comes to seeking out the beauty in motherhood, a positive mindset goes a long way. Here are a few of our favorite products for getting a little mental boost.

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