u/Better_Passenger3501

Problem/Goal: I’m a first-time mom, and my son just turned one a few days ago. I can’t help but cry because of how much I love him. Sometimes I get emotional knowing he’s growing up so fast and won’t stay this little forever. Am I alone in feeling this way, or does every parent go through it?

Context:One factor that makes me extra emotional is that I still don’t know when I’ll get to have him with me full-time. While his father’s family and I are on good terms, I want my son with me all the time. At the same time, I know he deserves to have a relationship with his father’s side too, and I would never want to take that away from him.

What has stayed with me the most was when his grandmother jokingly said during his birthday that they wanted to take him home with them permanently. Maybe it was just a joke, and maybe I’m overthinking it, but it stuck with me.

Still, I’m grateful that our dynamic is friendly and that there’s no conflict between us rn. For me, that’s what’s most important because I want what’s best for my child. I always hope for the best for him, but whenever I imagine being away from him, I can’t help but cry.

Right now, we’re on our way home

and my little boy has just turned one a day ago. I can’t help but feel emotional because I know it won’t always be like this. One day, he’ll grow up and move beyond this baby phase. While some people may find certain parts of it tiring, I see them as moments I’ll deeply miss someday.

More than anything, I wish my son a life filled with happiness, good health, and success. Every parent wants the very best for their child. Most of the time if not all the time we put our children’s needs before our own because their well-being means everything to us.

I hope I make my baby proud. I’m not a perfect mother, but I’m doing my best every single day. Although I’m on good terms with his father’s family, there’s still a small fear in my heart. Since his father and I are no longer together, I worry that one day I may not get to have him with me as much as I do now. I always want to be there for him, to look after him, and to watch him grow.

Above all, I pray for peace, happiness, and a beautiful life for both me and my son today and always.

It was my son’s birthday yesterday. His father and I are not together, but his siblings and especially his mother came to celebrate with my son. They even traveled all the way to our place just to be there for him and brought him so many gifts.

Nothing felt forced. Every time I’ve met them, they’ve always been warm, respectful, and easy to get along with. We don’t communicate on a daily basis, but whenever we see each other during important occasions, I’ve never felt judged or treated badly.

What I found strange was that one of my aunts kept saying negative things about them after the party. My extended family witnessed how warm and welcoming they were, yet she still had something bad to say. It was my sons birthday, and she doesn’t even know them personally, so I don’t understand why she feels the need to criticize them.

I grew up being taught to treat people with respect and kindness, regardless of the situation. Even my mother doesn’t speak about them that way. That’s why I find it embarrassing and hypocritical, especially because I remember my aunt trying to get close to them before. Then afterward, she would dismiss their kindness as “kaplastikan.”

My gut tells me that her comments may be influenced by her own experiences and frustrations. She has a complicated relationship with her husband, and sometimes it feels like she projects that negativity onto other people. Instead of encouraging a healthy and respectful relationship between both sides of my sons family, she chooses to focus on criticism.

I remember telling her how nice they had been, but she immediately brushed it off and said they were just pretending. That mindset is difficult for me to understand. Because of that, I even told my mother that I don’t want my kid exposed to that kind of bitterness. Even though his father and I are not together, I want my son to grow up around people who show kindness, respect, and maturity.

What really stuck with me after my sons birthday were the comments my aunt kept making about his father’s family.

She would say things like, “Kaplastikan lang ‘yan, don’t expect anything,” “Kaya ayaw sumama ng son mo sa kanila kasi Pangit ugali nila.”

She even went as far as suggesting that if my son lived with them and cried, they might physically hurt him. That’s a very serious accusation to make about people she barely knows and without any evidence.

What’s strange is that none of it matched what I actually experienced. They traveled just to celebrate him, brought gifts, and were warm and respectful the entire time.

I don’t know what her goal is, but sometimes it feels like she can’t stand seeing something good. Maybe she didn’t expect them to show up for me and my son the way they did. Either way, I’d rather judge people based on their actions than on assumptions.

At the end of the day, I want my kiddo to grow up surrounded by kindness, respect, and people who genuinely love him, not bitterness and negativity.

The frustration of planning a birthday party is realizing that not everyone is on the same page when it comes to the theme, dress code, guest list, or even the food choices.

Planning a big celebration is harder than it looks. That’s why I’ve always appreciated intimate birthday dinners or small gatherings. You know everyone who’s there, and it becomes an opportunity to genuinely bond, catch up, and spend quality time with friends and family you may not have seen in a while.

Personally, I’m not a fan of big parties. Sometimes they end up feeling more like large social events, and people forget why everyone gathered in the first place. A birthday, for me, is about celebrating the people and moments that made the past year meaningful.

If there’s anyone who deserves a seat at the table, it’s the people who were part of that journey the ones who made the last year memorable, supported you, and shared life’s highs and lows with you.