Things that make parents cry

by Angie Felton (Subscribe to Angie Felton's posts) Aug 11th 2008 8:00AM

Categories: Just For Moms, Just For Dads

Having a child not only opens up a whole new section of your heart, it also cleans out the tear ducts on a regular basis. Here are some things that are nearly guaranteed to have parents scrambling for a tissue:

Signs of affection between siblings- We become immune to the sounds of sibling squabbles, but seeing little brothers holding hands or comforting each other? Instant waterworks.
The Olympics- The competition was always compelling, but having your own child means you can truly relate to what the parents of the athletes are feeling, and for the first time appreciate the sacrifices made to get kids to that level.
Various "firsts"- The first step, first day of school, first car, all amazing events that remind you how quickly time passes and your baby is no longer much of a baby at all.
The destruction of a treasure possession- They say 'You can't take it with you', but you CAN pass down Great-Grandma's teapot to the next generation AS LONG AS THEY DIDN'T DROP IT PLAYING CATCH IN THE DRIVEWAY WHILE YOU WERE IN THE BATHROOM.
When the child does well- pitching a great game, nailing the high note in a solo, it doesn't matter. They did great and the sniffles of pride soon follow.
When the child tries but bombs- what a brave little soldier!
Hearing about other children who are sick, hurt, or suffering in anyway, anywhere
When Dumbo's Mom is taken away after defending him from those horrible kids who were hurting him and she sings the "Baby Mine" song

What has been making your eyeballs leak since you've become a parent?

Comments (11)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ame s 8-11-2008 @ 9:28AM

I'll be kind and spare everyone my very long list ;)
I have a large portrait on the wall of my girls taken when they were 2 1/2 and 6 months old. While at Disney this summer, they sat for over an hour posing for an artist, which resulted in a beautiful watercolor portrait. Looking from one to the other and seeing those baby faces in 8 1/2 and 10 1/2 year old bodies makes me tear up.
Noticing that I am less than 5 inches taller than my older daughter makes me misty, as did taking her to her new school this morning and seeing her look so grown up in that uniform.
I need a tissue now!

rebecca Biernesser 8-11-2008 @ 10:12AM

hmmm first day of daycare, school, with my oldest.

2nd child? his first haircut....well let's be honest, he's had two and i cried both times....but in my defense, my husband was going to shave his little head the second time....

Jenn 8-11-2008 @ 11:59AM

I will spare the forever-long list I've developed over the last couple of years, and just go with the two most recent:

The breakdown that occurred when I left my 2.5 yo at preschool for the first time a week ago today. Luckily it was only that one day, or I don't know if she'd still be going! I probably cried longer than she did, though.

Every single day I pick her up from said preschool, and she comes running down the hall with her arms open calling "Mommy Mommy!" with a huge smile on her face.

RB 8-11-2008 @ 12:16PM

Any kids production on stage - the smaller the kids the quicker I cry, especially if they sing. Get a stage full of kindergardeners and make them sing (or dance or try to recite something) and I'm a mess! Doesn't even have to be kids I know! :)

queenoqueens 8-11-2008 @ 9:31PM

The waterworks started as soon as my babies were born. I had 2 C-sections, so it wasn't from the pain.....but from that miraculous moment when you first see the face you've been waiting so long to see. I know this is probably something everyone goes through, but it certainly is #1 for my significant crying moments.

Other times? First time my baby didn't want to breastfeed anymore......first day in daycare.....Graduation from preschool.....First day on the kindergarten bus....and now anytime I hear "our song". which is the song that I used to listen to when I rocked her to sleep. And I know there are so many more crying moments headed my way.

Kay 8-11-2008 @ 10:13PM

Just thinking about the fact that my beautiful baby girl is about to be a teenager. Where did the time go??

Paul Cyopick 8-12-2008 @ 3:24PM

The latest one for me was a couple weekends ago. My kids and I were coming home from the twin's 5th birthday party at Chuck e Cheese, and it was pouring rain. By the time we got off the bus, it was sunny, and there was a huge rainbow.

Jessica said, smiling from ear to ear "Look, Mommy sent us a rainbow from heaven for our birthday, isn't that nice Daddy?" (Mommy passed away from cancer on Oct 16th, 2006). I couldn't help crying.

Rosslynn Carpenter 8-13-2008 @ 12:22AM

I will just say EVERY birthday.....it saddens me and makes me so very happy each year....even though they are both liars, they promise me each and every year that they will not get any older. They will have bday parties, but stay the same age. They lie every year, and every year when I tuck them in and kiss them happy birthday I get teary and remember when they were in my tummy and when I first held them..........damn here I go getting misty just thinking about it.

Today is my oldest ones 9th bday!

Paul 8-16-2008 @ 10:54PM

There have been quite a few moments where I have found myself crying over my sons. The day my oldest graduated from USMC boot camp, the day my middle son graduated high shool, or the day my youngest son went 3-4 at the plate while he pitched 4 scoreless innings. But the hardest thing I have ever had to do was to tell my two youngest sons that their big brother wasn't coming back from Iraq.

Linda 8-17-2008 @ 1:35AM

Thank you Paul for sharing that story. It made me misty just reading it.

TARA 8-22-2008 @ 2:26PM

When you've sad and they put their tiny hand on your shoulder and tell you everythings going to be alright and they love you. That does make everything better!!!