My kids were born 17 years apart, and each is seeing a different version of me

Growing Through Motherhood

I became a mother for the first time at 23, a stage when I was still figuring out who I wanted to be. My daughter and I, in many ways, grew up together — learning, stumbling, and rebuilding ourselves as we went. There was an intensity and nervous energy in those early years; I wanted so much to be perfect and prove that I could handle motherhood.

A Shift in Perspective

Seventeen years later, I brought another child into the world. The second time felt entirely different. My son is growing up with a calmer version of me — one less anxious, more patient, and more grounded. Experience taught me that being present matters more than being perfect.

The Two Versions of Motherhood

My daughter had a younger, more uncertain parent who was learning everything on the go. My son has one who understands boundaries, time, and the importance of balance. I no longer strive to keep everything under control; instead, I let moments unfold naturally. Both children are equally loved, but they’ve been raised by a mother transformed by time.

“They are the bookends of my becoming.”

This journey through two stages of motherhood reveals how deeply time reshapes not only who a parent is but also how love and care evolve across generations.

Author’s summary: A mother reflects on raising two children born 17 years apart, exploring how time, maturity, and experience shaped her into two different versions of herself.

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Insider on MSN Insider on MSN — 2025-11-28

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