Thank you, Mom, for being such a lifesaver after I had the baby

I remember my mom always saying to me, “You’ll understand someday when you have kids.” (Cue eye roll from my teenage self.)

But you know what? She was right. (Again.) Something magical happened when I had my second son. I do finally understand.

A mother’s love for her children runs deep. I would do anything for my boys. And in the past few weeks, I have learned there are certain things only your mom will do for you. I’ve also learned that my mama is pretty special.

She said she would retire when I had kids to help me…and she actually did!

Basically from the day I got back from my honeymoon, the “When am I going to be a grandma?” conversation started. She said she would quit her job and help me take care of the baby so I didn’t have to put him in daycare. And she actually did—she wasn’t bluffing. She gave me the gift of peace of mind knowing my son was being cared for by his grandma.

Thank you, Mom!

She drove my child to my office so that I could breastfeed instead of having to pump.

Yes, for the first few months, post-maternity leave, my mom drove to my office so I could breastfeed my son in the car during lunch. Not only did this help with the transition of missing him so badly during the day, but it alleviated a dreaded pumping session. And, the visit usually came with a surprise delivery of Starbucks or lunch, too!

Thank you, Mom!

She will call me from Target or Costco to see if I need anything.

I don’t remember the last time I actually went into a store to purchase something. (Amazon Prime mom for life!) But I can’t tell you how helpful it is for someone else to offer to pick up industrial sized paper towels or a new sippy cup—saving me the headache of lugging a newborn into a germ-filled store for just a few simple staples.

Thank you, Mom!

She will text me just as I open the fridge to pack my son’s lunch and realize…oops, forgot to go to the grocery store.

Yes, this happens. All. The. Time. We are rushing to get everyone out the door and I realize I have to make lunch. So I open the fridge. NOTHING there. Usually on those mornings I receive a magical text from my mom saying, “Don’t worry about lunch, I just went to the store and have stuff here.” I so appreciate her giving my son a nutritious lunch, and giving me 10 minutes of my morning back.

Thank you, Mom!

She volunteers to watch the kids so I can go out with my husband or on vacation without feeling guilty.

Not only does she volunteer, but I (think) she genuinely enjoys it! While I’m caught up in the mundane “routine” of bath, books and bedtime, these things are exciting for her (and my dad). It’s something they don’t get to do every day. And knowing that my parents are caring for my kids allows me to relax and enjoy a night out. (Oh, and we don’t have to pay a babysitter!)

Thank you, Mom!

She will clean up my house in the time it takes me to go to the bathroom.

Really. This is not a joke. My son went down for a nap, and I ran to the bathroom. I was gone maybe three minutes. (Okay, maybe four, since that’s the only time I get to myself these days.) And every single Lego, Ghostbuster toy and board game were back neatly in a cubby. HOW does it take me all day to do that when she can do it in the blink of an eye?!

Either way, I will not question her magical powers and just say…thank you, Mom!

She will invite us over for Sunday dinner. Every Sunday.

With a newborn, I’ve been terrified to go out anywhere. It has been the worst cold and flu season on record. So, I’d rather just stay home than go out. But knowing that we need to “get out,” she invites us over for dinner and dessert so that we can feel like we left the house and accomplished something. We also have an extra set of hands so we can actually enjoy the meal without microwaving it five times. (Bonus: We always go home with leftovers. So dinner on Monday is already covered. ?)

Thank you, Mom!

She will go out of her way to bring the kids home every day because she knows it makes it easier for me.

We are so lucky to have my parents only 12 minutes away. But at the end of a long day trying to nurse, wrap up work and make dinner seemingly all at the same time is a lot—I don’t even know how I would fit in going to get my son. So, I truly cannot express how helpful it is to have my toddler delivered to my front door every day. It saves my husband and I an hour, allows for more quality time at home playing and allows us to eat dinner at a reasonable time each night.

Thank you, Mom!

She takes my son’s laundry to wash and fold at home and brings it back to my house.

It really is a magical moment when a laundry basket stuffed full of toddler clothes leaves my house in the morning and returns home in the evening washed and folded. Neatly—so, very neatly. And all I need to do is put it away.

Thank you, Mom!

Thank you for all you do for me and my husband. Thank you for loving our boys so, so much. Thank you for helping bear the load of motherhood. And thank you for being my mom. We couldn’t do it without you.

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