August 6, 2026
The Gentle Regrets of a Mother of Grown-Up Children
- I wish I had compared less. I wish I hadn't compared my child with other children, nor myself with other mothers.
- I wish I had slowed down my daily routine and accepted my children's help. We would have enjoyed both the pleasure of doing things together and the joy of learning together.
- I wish I had read more storybooks. Now I know that the precious one-on-one time shared while reading stories decreases as our children grow older.
- I wish I had taken a picture of my child in the exact same armchair on every single birthday.
- I wish I hadn't spent so much time on my computer and phone, and had instead truly listened to and heard my child.
- I wish I had worried less. If I had been more present and looked forward, I would have had more positive experiences with my child instead of getting stuck in anxious moments.
- I wish I had gathered my family around the same dinner table at least once a day, and our extended family once a month, to let my child experience the warmth and joy of family love even more deeply.
- I wish I hadn't forgotten to be spontaneous while trying to keep things orderly and consistent. I wish I hadn't missed out on playful, celebratory moments.
- I wish that when my child called me over to show me something, instead of saying 'wait,' I had dropped the dishes or laundry immediately to share that fleeting moment with them.
- I wish I had realized and savored the extraordinary beauty hidden in every single ordinary day.