What Makes My Kids Cry Today

By Lizzie @ What Makes My Kid Cry Today

Real Life. Real Laughs. Real Jesus.

Because sometimes the most honest encouragement is the kind that tells the truth.

I usually share something uplifting on Sundays — a verse, a prayer, a reminder that God sees you.

But today? This is the reminder:

👉 You don’t have to love every moment to be a good mom.

👉 You don’t have to feel spiritual or strong to be held by God.

👉 You don’t have to be “on” just because it’s Sunday.

This post might not be wrapped in a bow, but it’s real.

And sometimes, real is what we need most before the week begins.

—What made my kid cry today?

He woke up in his brother’s bed and realized he wasn’t snuggled against me.

At 12:50 a.m., he cried until I came to get him.

He needed a hug. A clean diaper. A bed that felt familiar.

So I carried him—heavy-eyed and half-asleep—back into my room where he sleeps nearly every night anyway.

And I didn’t feel holy or tender or overwhelmed with gratitude.

I felt exhausted. A little annoyed. A little numb.

And as I lay down with him nestled beside me, I thought of that phrase we’ve all heard on repeat:

“Enjoy every moment. It goes by so fast.”

And I didn’t.

I didn’t enjoy being woken up.

I didn’t enjoy the smell of the diaper.

I didn’t enjoy sleeping with a small foot in my rib cage.

But here’s what I did enjoy:

The comfort of knowing God loves me even when I’m not enjoying the moment.

He doesn’t guilt me. He meets me.

💛 Reflection:

The pressure to cherish every second of motherhood can feel crushing.

And it’s not even what God asks of us.

He calls us to be faithful, not fake.

Present, not perfect.

Willing to serve—even when we don’t feel sentimental about it.

Jesus doesn’t shame us for feeling tired at midnight.

He understands exhaustion.

He sees our sacrifice.

And He promises that our labor, even in the dark, is not in vain.

📖 Scripture:

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

—Matthew 11:28

🙏 Prayer:

Jesus, thank You that I don’t have to enjoy every moment to be a good mom.

Thank You for seeing the love in my actions even when my attitude is tired.

Help me to let go of guilt and lean into grace. Amen.

You’re not failing for being weary. You’re just a mom who’s awake at 12:50 a.m. loving her child anyway. 💛