When motherhood gives Its colour flamingos are known for their bright pink feathers, standing gracefully in their beauty and strength. But when a mother flamingo welcomes her baby into the world, something truly remarkable happens. To nourish her chick, she produces a special milk rich in nutrients. During this time, her vibrant pink feathers slowly begin to fade. What was once bright and colourful can become pale, sometimes almost white. To an outside eye, it might appear as though she has lost her colour. But she hasn’t. She has simply given it to her baby.
The Quiet Sacrifice of Motherhood
When I first learnt this, it deeply resonated with me as a mother. Motherhood often feels the same. We give so much of ourselves our time, our energy, our sleep, our patience, our hearts. In the early years especially, our days are spent nurturing, comforting, guiding, and holding space for our children. Sometimes in the process, it can feel like parts of us fade. The hobbies we once loved.
The Quiet Moments We Once Had
The identity we once carried so effortlessly. There can be moments where we look in the mirror and wonder where our colour has gone. But just like the flamingo mother, nothing is truly lost. Pouring our colour into our children is what we are actually doing is pouring our colour into the little lives we are nurturing. This is a remarkable thing, the matrescence journey of a mother is an ebb and flow journey ever changing and ever evolving. The motherhood journey is an identify shift and sometimes grieving of the person we used to once be. I like to highlight to take a different view to not look at it as a loss but an honour that a women can transform, creating and bringing life into the world being part of the beautiful cycle of life and leaving and ever last imprint.
Our Love Becomes Their Safety
Our love and patience become their confidence. Our presence becomes their foundation. The warmth we give them shapes who they will become in the world. And that is something incredibly powerful. The beautiful truth is that the flamingo’s colour eventually returns. And so does ours. As our children grow and become more independent, we slowly begin to rediscover parts of ourselves again. Not as the same person we were before motherhood; but as someone deeper, wiser, and stronger. Motherhood doesn’t erase us. It transforms us.
Natural human instincts are profound in parenting with following your intuition. Every cuddle, gentle touch and moment of presence helps your baby to feel fees, safe and loved. This attachment is the foundation for their emotional wellbeing and confidence as they grow.
A Personal Reflection
For as long as I can remember, I always felt drawn to flamingos. Seeing them in real life was something on my bucket list. In 2022, that dream became a reality while visiting France. At the time, I simply admired their beauty. But now I feel I understand the deeper meaning behind why I was so drawn to them. The flamingo mother reminds us that no matter what kind of mother we are biological, adoptive, step, foster, or nurturing in any way – mothers have an incredible ability to give their all. And while it may feel like we lose pieces of ourselves along the way, we are really just sharing our colour with the next generation. And that is a beautiful thing.
This is a little reminder for you, Mama. No matter where you are in your motherhood journey, you are exactly where you are meant to be. There will be seasons that feel full and joyful, and others that feel exhausting, uncertain, or overwhelming. Parenting, just like life, moves in gentle ebbs and flows. Just like the flamingo mother, who gives so much of herself to nurture her baby, you too are giving exactly what your child needs.
Even on the days when it feels messy. Even on the days when you question yourself. You are showing up. You are loving. You are nurturing and that is more than enough. So, keep going, Mama You are doing beautifully.
Heart to Heart Through the Notion of Touch