Be Present Mama
Be Present: A Letter to Moms in Every Season
Years ago, I used to write the phrase "be present" on my hand in black ink.
It was a simple reminder that I needed every day while juggling two young kids, chasing goals, managing dreams, and trying so hard to build a life worth living.
In that season, I was quick to overlook the little moments.
I’d get frustrated at the slow pace of my life, feeling like things should be happening faster — that I should be happening faster.
But now, standing in a new season, I’m so thankful I fought to be present.
Last night, my baby — my first born baby— went to her first prom.
We're closing the door on junior year and stepping into her senior year, a year of beginnings and endings all wrapped into one.
Over the next twelve months, I’ll say goodbye to her in a thousand little ways, even as I’m introduced to the amazing young woman she’s becoming.
Looking back, I can see how easy it would have been to miss it all.
The bedtime stories.
The endless questions.
The messy house and the busy days that felt like they would never end.
I’m grateful now for that little word on my hand — present — because even though I wasn’t perfect, I was there.
And if you’re reading this, maybe you need that encouragement too.
It’s never too late to start being present.
It’s not too late to put the phone down, say yes to a conversation, or sit on the floor and build something out of Legos or dreams.
Here are a few ways I learned (and am still learning) to be present:
1. Create Small Rituals
Even five minutes matters. Morning hugs. After-school talks. Friday night ice cream runs. Those little rituals anchor you both in a busy world.
2. Put Away Distractions (Even for 15 Minutes)
Our kids know when we're only half-listening. Carve out even small pockets of "undivided" time, where the phone is down and your eyes are on them.
3. Capture Moments — But Not Just on Camera
It’s easy to snap a photo and move on. Try pausing for a second to mentally soak it in too — the way they laugh, the way they tell a story, the way they still reach for your hand.
4. Let Go of Perfect
Being present doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly. It means choosing connection over perfection. Some of our best memories are messy and unplanned.
5. Give Yourself Grace
Some days you’ll feel distracted. Some seasons will be harder. Presence isn’t about performance; it’s about returning — again and again — to the moment in front of you.
Dear Mama, it’s not too late.
Whether your babies are toddlers or teenagers, there’s still time to slow down, to look them in the eyes, and to make another memory.
The life you're building isn’t found in the perfect schedule or the big milestones — it’s tucked into the everyday moments that pass quietly by if we aren’t careful.
So today, maybe you need to write a little word on your hand too:
"Be present."
Not perfectly.
Not with a highlight reel.
But with your whole heart.
Because one day, you’ll watch them walk into their own lives — and you’ll be so glad you did.
