Parenting is a journey full of surprises, isn’t it? Just when you think you’re the one teaching your kids, they turn around and teach you something so profound that it stays with you forever. These moments are the ones that leave us reflecting on our own actions and perspectives as parents. This happened to me a couple of months ago, and I still smile every time I think about it.
One such moment with my 5-year-old son, Hitarth, left me speechless and completely changed the way I see myself as a parent. It was one of those rare instances when my child, in his innocence, reminded me of a lesson I’d long forgotten.
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Sleep, Irritation, and a Little Voice
To be honest, sleep has always been a struggle for me. As someone who deals with insomnia, I know how precious those few hours of uninterrupted rest are. So, you can imagine my frustration when, on many nights, Hitarth would wake me up with the same request: “Mumma, can you turn towards me? I feel scared.”
I would get irritated. After all, I’d barely managed to fall asleep, and his little nudge felt like a big disturbance. I’d often respond with, “Why do you keep waking me up? You’re disturbing my sleep!”
Though I’d try to keep my tone calm, my frustration would slip through. Even though I didn’t mean to hurt him, I could feel his disappointment—though he never said anything—every time I reacted that way.
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This pattern continued for a while, until one night, something shifted.
A Memory That Hit Me Hard
That night, he woke me up again with his usual request. As I reluctantly turned towards him, a sudden memory from my childhood flashed in my mind.
I used to do the exact same thing to my mom.
When I was a little girl, I’d often wake my mom up in the middle of the night and ask her to sleep facing me. It made me feel safe and loved, knowing she was there. And you know what? My mom never once complained. She never showed frustration, never told me I was disturbing her. She simply turned towards me, held me close, and gave me the reassurance I needed.
That memory hit me like a wave.
I turned to my son and said softly, “You know, when I was young, I used to ask my mom the same thing.”
The Question That Changed Everything
My son’s eyes lit up with curiosity as he asked, “Did Nani ever get annoyed at you? Did she tell you not to disturb her sleep?” In Hindi, he said exactly,”Mumma, fir Nani bhi aapko aise bolti thi ki kya hai neeru meri neend kharab kardi?”
That question made me pause and think. My mom? Annoyed? Not once, never!. Even though I must have disrupted her sleep countless times, she never let her exhaustion or frustration show. She silently gave me what I needed, every single time.
And here I was, letting my irritation take over something so small yet so important to my son. His question wasn’t just innocent; it was a mirror reflecting my own behavior back to me.
A Decision to Change
That night, I made a decision. I didn’t just want to respond to my son’s requests—I wanted to respond with the same love and patience my mom had shown me.
Since then, whenever he asks me to turn towards him, I do it with a smile. It’s no longer a disturbance; it’s a sweet reminder of my own childhood and a chance to make my son feel the same security I once felt.
A Lesson in Parenting and Love
This experience taught me an invaluable lesson. Parenting isn’t just about teaching our kids—it’s about learning from them too. My son’s simple question reminded me to pause, reflect, and choose love over frustration.
It also gave me a newfound appreciation for my mom. Parents of her generation didn’t have the resources or advice we have today, yet they parented with an unmatched sense of calmness and selflessness. They didn’t let their own struggles spill over into their relationships with us.
Cherish the Little Moments
Looking back, I realize how these small, seemingly insignificant moments matter the most. They’re the ones that create lasting memories for our children. Years from now, I hope my son remembers not just that I turned towards him but that I did it with love.
To every parent reading this: if you find yourself frustrated in a similar moment, take a deep breath. Think about the memories you’re creating, the feelings your child will carry with them. Sometimes, it’s the tiniest gestures that leave the biggest impact.
After all, parenting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up, learning, and growing alongside our kids.
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