• Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • Disclosure & Policies
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Mama In The Midst

mama in the middle of motherhood, middle of nowhere, in the midst of figuring it all out

  • Home
  • Motherhood
  • Kitchen
  • Style
  • Decor
  • Farm Life
  • Faith
  • Arbonne

in Motherhood

When The Sippy Cups Start To Dwindle

 

When The Sippy Cups Start To Dwindle

Letting Go

I’m at that point in motherhood where the sippy cups are starting to dwindle. I almost can’t even believe that myself as I write it. There was a point where it felt like there would always be diapers, always be pacies, always be sippies, always be babies. When you have four children in five and a half years, it often feels like that season of motherhood will never end. Truth is, I never really wanted it to end. I absolutely loved having a sweet baby to rock. There is nothing like the feeling of a newborn in your arms, but just like everything else there is a time for new and change and growth.

And so my babies are growing. They are learning more independence. They are learning how to do more on their own. They still need their mama, but just in new and different ways. There is a bit more freedom for us all now. There is a bit more ease to our days (and nights; oh, the sleepless nights).

I am learning to embrace the new and find joy in the freedoms. I’m loving to watch them grow. And yet, there are days like today when I unload the dishwasher and clean up the water spilt on the floor by my 3 year old, and it hits me and stops me right in my tracks: the sippy cups are starting to dwindle. And in that moment, my heart aches a bit for the ending of that stage.

As mamas we want our babies to grow and flourish. We want them to hit the milestones and learn the skills. We have our own milestones and skills we have to master on the road of motherhood though; one of the hardest and yet most prevalent ones is the art of letting go. Letting them grow, and learn, and spill, and become more and more independent. There are definite growing pains that accompany this skill, so take that moment, mama. Stare at the spot on the counter where the pacies used to go and the sippy cup lids laid scattered and sigh, or cry, or whatever it is that you need to do to continue to master the art of letting go. But then, mama, do me a favor? Don’t forget to look up at the 3 year old smiling and spilling or the 5 year old grinning as the training wheels are being taken off and see the beauty in the next stage your about to embark on. You’ve got this, mama.

If you like this article, check out more mama encouragement here and here.

 

 


Mama In the Midst uses affiliate link programs. Thank you for clicking around my site!!

(Visited 790 times, 1 visits today)

8 Comments

« Top 10 Reasons Every Mama Needs a Pair of Hunter Boots
Beautiful Strong: May You Always Know Your Worth »

Comments

  1. Marcia says

    June 19, 2018 at 6:19 pm

    Although it’s been quite some tome ago, I remember the day I realized there would no longer be a need for siipy cups in our home and how that realization stung. But, just like you, it didn’t take long to realize that, although we needed no more sippy cups, my littles still needed me, just in a different way. And really all of that hasn’t changed. Even though my littles are grown now and have families of their own, there are still times when I get a text or a phone call asking for information or an opinion. I have learned that being a mom means being a mom for life. And it is good!

    Reply
    • jodyniebuhr says

      June 20, 2018 at 11:05 am

      Yes! And hearing things like that from someone who’s already been through it helps lessen the sting! It continues to remind me that each stage is new and beautiful! And then you even get to have sippy cups again when your babies have babies!

      Reply
  2. Ardith Heuton says

    June 20, 2018 at 12:27 am

    You write very eloquently looking forward following your blogs

    Ardith

    Reply
    • jodyniebuhr says

      June 20, 2018 at 11:02 am

      Thanks, so much! Glad you liked!

      Reply
  3. Susie says

    July 8, 2018 at 10:56 pm

    Ummmm you are going to have me in tears! Well written mama! I’m praying that we both move on to this next stage with peace in our hearts

    Reply
    • jodyniebuhr says

      July 10, 2018 at 10:23 am

      Thank you so much for that prayer! Peace is exactly what we need! Praying the same for you, mama!

      Reply
  4. Delia says

    January 11, 2019 at 5:45 am

    I loved this! Beautifully written. I will follow you.

    Reply
    • jodyniebuhr says

      January 13, 2019 at 4:16 pm

      Oh, thank you so much!! How kind!! I really appreciate that!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

meet the author


Helloo, friends! I’m so glad you’re here! Welcome! Let’s get to know each other. I’m Jody. I’m a farmwife in the Midwest raising kids and crops in the middle of nowhere. I am a stay at home mama of four children 8,7, 4, and 3; wife to a crazy hard working man.

let’s connect

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

categories

stay up to date

Join me on Instagram

mamainthemidst

Instagram post 2198405159369226357_7624293127 F E A T U R E  FRIDAY ☕️ I am so excited to share this week's #coldcoffeeandjesus co-host @simijohn! We loved what she shared in her recent post living an abundant life!⠀
⠀
Want to know more about Simi? Head to her account @simijohn and give her a follow. If you're a Jesus loving & coffee drinking lady tag us for a chance to be featured!⠀
⠀
All you have to do is:⠀
▪️tag your pics with #coldcoffeeandjesus⠀
▪️Follow all hosts⠀
⠀
Lydia @thriftandthimble_⠀
Becca @myjoyfulmoment⠀
Becca @theminiapartmentblog ⠀
Emily @darlinglittlelife⠀
Jody @mamainthemidst⠀
Annie @annie.rohde⠀
Viktoria @therevelationdiaries⠀
⠀
We will feature a new guest host every other Friday (starting back in the New Year!), and will share a few other favorites in our stories who’ve been using the hashtag. Enjoy your coffee today, mama! Whether you’re lucky to drink it hot, or after 4 hours of it sitting out. Happy Friday! 💛
Instagram post 2198084128314024396_7624293127 Happy Friday, friends!! What are your plans for the weekend? My parents are coming to town and we are going to make gingerbread houses, and maybe cookies, too. So pray for me because that is a lot of sugar and a lot of kids😳🤪 You can shop my squares 2 ways:
1️⃣ follow me @mamainthemidst in the free @liketoknow.it app
2️⃣ use them link in my bio to go directly to my shop page http://liketk.it/2I7il #liketkit
Instagram post 2197358518344274728_7624293127 Maybe just maybe, we can see all the things and not take on the expectation to be all the things. We can remind ourselves that we are not less because we do less. ⠀⠀
⠀⠀
We are not required to do or excel at it all. We can stay in our lane and stick to our strengths and capabilities. We can appreciate other’s skills without diminishing our own. We can enjoy more and impose expectations on ourselves less.⠀⠀
⠀⠀
I wrote these words last week in my blog post Laying Down the Pressure to Do and Be it All this Season. If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to check it out. Link in bio👉🏼⠀⠀
⠀⠀
Also, sharing a bit of my mess in stories today to remind us all that no one has it all together. What’s one area of your life that is your accepted mess?
Instagram post 2196639791226080223_7624293127 Who needs an app or side for your holiday gatherings??? Welp, stop what you’re doing and make these sausage stuffing balls...they are so crispy and savory. And even my husband, who is less than thrilled with stuffing approves!⠀
⠀
Would you believe I snapped this pic on Thanksgiving day?📸 Who else is a master multitasker🙋🏼‍♀️
.
.
Recipe Link in bio!!👉🏼
Instagram post 2195951441147253670_7624293127 Wanna know what a dog looks like right before she destroys your decor? This girl is bound and determined to keep my porch decor minimal!

How would you describe your decorating style? Minimal or extravagant? (FYI, I would call mine a hot mess because I still have a few pumpkins I spied that I forgot to put away and need to take Christmas boxes back down to the basement💁🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ You can shop my squares 2 ways: 
1️⃣ follow me @mamainthemidst in the free @liketoknow.it app.
2️⃣ use the link in my bio to go directly to my shop page http://liketk.it/2I0rM #liketkit
Instagram post 2192990186472108726_7624293127 Are you a baker? I tend to prefer more rustic dishes because true baking often requires precision, and to be quite honest, I am more a little of this; a little of that kinda girl. ⠀
⠀
I think it’s good to remind myself of who I really am instead of trying to fit myself into a box that wasn’t really made for me in the first place. For far too long I did things more because I thought I should and less because it was actually for me. ⠀
⠀
So here’s to be completely, unashamedly, boldly ourselves this holiday season💃💃 What’s one holiday tradition that is not you?⠀
⠀
In other news, ya’ll, this baker is $9 for cyber week at Lifeway.com. $9!!! #LifeWayCyberWeek is killing it! Getcha one!! I love how you can display it when you’re not using it, too! Head on up to my stories to see how I styled it on my open shelves. ⠀
⠀
@lifeway #lifewaypartner #lifewaywomen
Instagram post 2190873837176314415_7624293127 When your original plan is to do an ultimate leggings round up and review blog post talking all things leggings (because I am an expert at leggings, you know💁🏼‍♀️), but your child is sick, you throw it back to an old pic and put it out there that the post is coming soon.

Because hair done, bed made, and leaving Emry’s side has not been accomplished in days. But I have been living in leggings this past week, so the research continues!☺️ (Clearly I am a highly dedicated and sophisticated journalist committed to my work  over here🤣) So tell me, are you a leggings or jeans girl?
.
.
You can shop my looks through the link in my bio or on the LIKEtoKNOW.it app by following Mama In The Midst. .
http://liketk.it/2HLfC #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKunder100 #LTKcurves #LTKunder50
Instagram post 2190074547872801928_7624293127 Do you ever feel like you are just barely hanging on during the holiday seasons? Have you ever lost yourself in the hustle and bustle? Accidentally found yourself trying to do all the things someone else’s way? Somehow taken on a societal or self imposed pressure to be all the things you’re not? ⠀
⠀
As we enter December, here’s our reminder that this season we can see all the things and not take on the expectation to be all the things. We can remind ourselves that we are not less because we do less. We are not required to do or excel at it all. We can lay down some of those pressures and enjoy.⠀
⠀
If this resonates with you, check out my newest blog post on laying down the expectations and pressures of the season. I would be so honored if you checked it out! Link in bio👉🏼
Instagram post 2187920968391244643_7624293127 Grace upon grace. I recently had two different friends tell me how much they appreciated times when I’ve told them to give themselves grace....if I have to be honest that advice is so easy for me to give, but not always to take. I am hard on myself. I critique and find fault. But, you guys, His grace is sufficient. More than enough. Abundant. ⠀
⠀
And so, I am reminded to purposefully rest in His grace. To remember that we are worthy because He calls us worthy. His power is made perfect in our very weaknesses. ⠀
⠀
Wear it on your shirt. Put it on a post it. Write it on your mirror, but remember, to give grace. To yourself and to others. We all need it. ⠀
⠀
Do you Black Friday shop from online or in store? I am an online shopper through and through! This cozy grace upon grace sweatshirt [#ad ] is just one of the many sale items in the Black Friday Weekend sale going on at Lifeway.com ⠀
⠀
Shop the @lifeway link in my bio👉🏼⠀
⠀
#lifewayblackfriday
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Looking for something?

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Join me on Instagram

mamainthemidst

Instagram post 2198405159369226357_7624293127 F E A T U R E  FRIDAY ☕️ I am so excited to share this week's #coldcoffeeandjesus co-host @simijohn! We loved what she shared in her recent post living an abundant life!⠀
⠀
Want to know more about Simi? Head to her account @simijohn and give her a follow. If you're a Jesus loving & coffee drinking lady tag us for a chance to be featured!⠀
⠀
All you have to do is:⠀
▪️tag your pics with #coldcoffeeandjesus⠀
▪️Follow all hosts⠀
⠀
Lydia @thriftandthimble_⠀
Becca @myjoyfulmoment⠀
Becca @theminiapartmentblog ⠀
Emily @darlinglittlelife⠀
Jody @mamainthemidst⠀
Annie @annie.rohde⠀
Viktoria @therevelationdiaries⠀
⠀
We will feature a new guest host every other Friday (starting back in the New Year!), and will share a few other favorites in our stories who’ve been using the hashtag. Enjoy your coffee today, mama! Whether you’re lucky to drink it hot, or after 4 hours of it sitting out. Happy Friday! 💛
Instagram post 2198084128314024396_7624293127 Happy Friday, friends!! What are your plans for the weekend? My parents are coming to town and we are going to make gingerbread houses, and maybe cookies, too. So pray for me because that is a lot of sugar and a lot of kids😳🤪 You can shop my squares 2 ways:
1️⃣ follow me @mamainthemidst in the free @liketoknow.it app
2️⃣ use them link in my bio to go directly to my shop page http://liketk.it/2I7il #liketkit
Instagram post 2197358518344274728_7624293127 Maybe just maybe, we can see all the things and not take on the expectation to be all the things. We can remind ourselves that we are not less because we do less. ⠀⠀
⠀⠀
We are not required to do or excel at it all. We can stay in our lane and stick to our strengths and capabilities. We can appreciate other’s skills without diminishing our own. We can enjoy more and impose expectations on ourselves less.⠀⠀
⠀⠀
I wrote these words last week in my blog post Laying Down the Pressure to Do and Be it All this Season. If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to check it out. Link in bio👉🏼⠀⠀
⠀⠀
Also, sharing a bit of my mess in stories today to remind us all that no one has it all together. What’s one area of your life that is your accepted mess?
Instagram post 2196639791226080223_7624293127 Who needs an app or side for your holiday gatherings??? Welp, stop what you’re doing and make these sausage stuffing balls...they are so crispy and savory. And even my husband, who is less than thrilled with stuffing approves!⠀
⠀
Would you believe I snapped this pic on Thanksgiving day?📸 Who else is a master multitasker🙋🏼‍♀️
.
.
Recipe Link in bio!!👉🏼
Instagram post 2195951441147253670_7624293127 Wanna know what a dog looks like right before she destroys your decor? This girl is bound and determined to keep my porch decor minimal!

How would you describe your decorating style? Minimal or extravagant? (FYI, I would call mine a hot mess because I still have a few pumpkins I spied that I forgot to put away and need to take Christmas boxes back down to the basement💁🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ You can shop my squares 2 ways: 
1️⃣ follow me @mamainthemidst in the free @liketoknow.it app.
2️⃣ use the link in my bio to go directly to my shop page http://liketk.it/2I0rM #liketkit
Instagram post 2192990186472108726_7624293127 Are you a baker? I tend to prefer more rustic dishes because true baking often requires precision, and to be quite honest, I am more a little of this; a little of that kinda girl. ⠀
⠀
I think it’s good to remind myself of who I really am instead of trying to fit myself into a box that wasn’t really made for me in the first place. For far too long I did things more because I thought I should and less because it was actually for me. ⠀
⠀
So here’s to be completely, unashamedly, boldly ourselves this holiday season💃💃 What’s one holiday tradition that is not you?⠀
⠀
In other news, ya’ll, this baker is $9 for cyber week at Lifeway.com. $9!!! #LifeWayCyberWeek is killing it! Getcha one!! I love how you can display it when you’re not using it, too! Head on up to my stories to see how I styled it on my open shelves. ⠀
⠀
@lifeway #lifewaypartner #lifewaywomen
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2019 · Market theme by Restored 316