Question from a reader:
Tsuji-chan mentioned that she has no memories from when she was raising her first daughter due to being so busy. Do you think raising her fifth child will help her recall those memories? It seems to me that without the experience of raising her first daughter, it might not hold much significance, no matter how much
she cherishes her children. What are your thoughts?
Confronting Parenting Memories
Recently, I heard Tsuji-chan talk about her experiences in parenting, and it made me reflect a bit. She said she was too busy during her first daughter’s early years to remember much. As someone who is also a parent, I can relate to those feelings. When children are small, each day can feel like a whirlwind, making it hard to recall specific moments. In my case, especially with my first child, the busyness was beyond what I had imagined, and there were many times I found myself thinking, “What was I doing again?” For instance, when the baby cried in the middle of the night and I was feeding them while thinking, “Ah, so this is parenting!” I was also often exhausted the next day from lack of sleep. As a result, my memories from that time are quite hazy.
The Significance of Raising a Fifth Child
Is Tsuji-chan trying to recall her experiences from raising her first daughter through raising her fifth child, or is she looking to create new memories? I believe that by raising her fifth child, she can leverage the confidence and calmness she’s gained and create solid memories. Parenting is not a one-time experience, and the relationship with each child is unique, so there are surely new discoveries awaiting her now. Recently, I had a wonderful time taking my child to the park. Watching my child slide down the slide for the first time made me exclaim, “Wow, that’s amazing!” The moment when they transformed from being nervous and small to joyfully sliding down with a big smile was truly the best. I want to cherish each of those moments.
What Are Your Parenting Memories?
What memories do you have from your parenting journey? Even amidst the busyness, if you have any special moments or stories, please share them! I’d love to hear your experiences and apply them to my own parenting journey! I’m looking forward to your comments!
