Hey Reader,

Whenever I write about my learnings, it’s mostly so I don’t forget. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a firm believer in writing things down so they stick. There’s something about putting thoughts into words – like every letter, every stroke rewrites and imprints it into your brain.

Now that I’m a bit over a year into motherhood, I can honestly say I’ve learned more than I ever did in four years at university – and probably even more than that.

There are so many angles to this journey: the lessons about myself, about God, about my husband, friends, family, strangers – and most importantly, the lessons I only ever discovered through my child, Mycroft.

​

Today I wanted to share the things I’ve only ever learned from Mycroft, in the hope that maybe you’ll find a little fresh perspective in life from it too. Who knows – maybe it’s exactly what you needed to hear today 🙂

​

1. Trying and Not Giving Up (Even While Crying)

I remember when Mycroft was still learning how to crawl. The first time he tried, he cried the entire time – wailing, struggling to push his little arms forward.

And no, picking him up didn’t help. He’d cry even more when we interrupted him. That’s when I realized: I had to let him try it on his own. I stared at him – face focused, determined, not going to let the moment pass.

​

And in that moment, I remembered my own. I’ve cried after work, feeling like shit, feeling like giving up.

As adults, we often equate crying with failure. But for babies, it’s just part of the process. They cry, they struggle – and they still keep going. No judgment. Just raw expression and unwavering determination.

​

Of course, Mark—being his ever-supportive, ever-funny self—added some spice by blasting Eye of the Tiger in the background 🤦🏻‍♀️ while Mycroft pushed through his crawling practice. 😂

The moment he managed to crawl? He was laughing again. Babies can switch emotions like a light switch. Honestly, sometimes I feel like I’m taking care of a tipsy homebody. One minute wailing, the next minute giggling. What do you call that? Drunk, right? Haha

​

But here’s the thing: babies don’t carry mental baggage. They just feel, then move on. They just evolve. 💪🏼

I wish we’d re-learn this, right?

​
​

2. Fascination With the Littlest Things

I always tell my mom-to-be friends: babies are the real geniuses – and adults? We’re the ones who’ve lost the spark.

​

My son, and I’m sure many of you parents will relate, has the weirdest fascinations. Laundry clips. Door locks. The water dispenser light. The exhaust fan. And two particular books that he insists on reading every day.

It’s been over a year. He’s still obsessed with them.

And every single time he sees these things, he gets excited all over again. He laughs, claps, and invites me to play like it’s the first time.

So now? I get excited by them too. I learned to feel deep gratitude for everything including the “daily things.”

​

Never take the littlest, weirdest, most ordinary things for granted. ✨

Let yourself love them again. Like really, really love them.

​
​

3. Forgiving Quickly – and Actually Forgetting

Ahhh, the number of times I failed and unintentionally hurt him in those first few weeks – honestly gives me a headache just thinking about it.

Mark and I were doing everything ourselves. No in-person help at the time, just online messages and frantic video calls. It was beautiful, wild, and exhausting.

​

I’ll never forget when we realized you’re not supposed to bathe newborns daily. Or that you don’t need to soak them in tubs. Just a gentle wipe with a warm towel was enough. We were horrified. Guilty. Tired. Learning everything from scratch.

But one thing I remember from a training we attended: babies are forgiving.

And they really are. Mycroft would cry – but then he’d smile again. As if saying, “It’s okay. You’re learning. I trust you. I know you love me.”

Even now, I see that in him. He forgives quickly. He moves on. No grudges. Just love and wonder. 🙏🏼

Other parents tell me it continues into their preschool years – that kids just love so purely. I hope my son never loses that, and I’ll do my best to nurture it in him.

​
​

So, What’s the Point of All This?

I don’t think you need to be a parent to learn from children. I think we all need a reminder of who we used to be. Before the overthinking, before the self-doubt, before the endless productivity cycles and perfectionism.

These lessons from Mycroft—about resilience, wonder, and forgiveness—are what I’m carrying with me this week.

​
​

💭 Questions for You This Week

• What’s one “boring” thing around you that you’ve forgotten to be amazed by?
• What mistakes are you still punishing yourself that your younger self would have already forgiven?
  ​

​

📨 Hit Reply or Forward

I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially if you’re a parent (or an overthinker like me).

Reply to this email – I read every one. Or forward this to someone who needs to hear it!

​
​

Here’s to your proof that baby steps still move mountains! ( ◡̀_◡́)ᕤ

Denielle

​