Mothers and Fathers All Over the World Are Loving Their Children — Her View From Home

Each night when I put my son to bed, I imagine all mothers in solidarity at the end of the day collectively let out one big, all-encompassing sigh-the single sigh that defines motherhood. And this is how they got here.

A mother and her husband rise before the sun has even peeked over the horizon. They creep into their son’s nursery and gently nudge him awake. The husband changes the boy’s diaper while the mom gathers all the things to put in his diaper bag. She sneaks in some last-minute kisses and cuddles before he is whisked away from her. She longingly calls after him and soaks in those smiles he returns her. She gets ready and heads to work.

Another mother across town is greeted with a torrent of slobbery kisses as her kids rush into her bedroom and dive into her bed. She tackles them in a big embrace and ushers them down the stairs to begin the day. There, she manages to make breakfast, clean up, change diapers, brush teeth, and get them dressed while they cling and laugh all over her.

The other mother arrives at work and is welcomed by more kids who demand her attention.

Before she can even fire up her computer, they are already piling into her classroom firing off questions. She smiles at them and patiently rattles off her answers. She spends the day teaching, grading, planning, diffusing arguments, and encouraging. Every now…