The viral story is the encouragement for moms we all need to hear

After Morrison describes this exchange, she begins to cry. She follows: “I don’t know why I get emotional when I tell you [this].” She says most people tell her, “Oh, you've got your hands full.” But hearing, “You're going to have a lot of fun,” painted a whole new scene for Morrison. She then says she “could see the memories flashing through his eyeballs.”

Why do these encouraging words trigger emotions in parents?

While Morrison explained that she wasn't sure why she was emotional, I know. It makes the biggest difference when these words of encouragement come from a person who has had their experience at some point in their life. That's why his words hit an emotional nerve.

Even now that he's probably led a very different life – perhaps an empty nest, or perhaps these days a grandparent himself – he can still attest to the fact that he had so much fun being a parent to young children.

I admit that motherhood is not the easiest undertaking. While there are times when dealing with toddler meltdowns are difficult, it's the other moments that I treasure and want to remember too. It's moments like when my son grabs my face and tells me, “I love you,” out of the blue, or when he tells me he had the best day because we were just playing in the park. It's when my baby smiles and laughs at me for the first time or when he is allowed to take his first steps.

Yes, motherhood is hard, but as @doylandvinegar commented, “It's a reflection of the negativity we constantly feel as mothers that kindness makes us cry so easily.” Being a mother is beautiful and a gift. And it’s hard too.”

More words of encouragement for moms

After Morrison posted her viral video, other mothers shared similar words of encouragement.

“An older man in the grocery store stopped me when my son was 8 months old and said, 'Young enough to still talk to the angels, put in a good word for me!'” – @rachelstelzer2

“My only son is 7 months old. Due to life-threatening complications at birth, I cannot have any more children. A man said to me the other day, “He gets to have you all to himself, isn't that special?” I cried.” – @happyy_gilmoree

“I had a similar experience. Met an older lady at Hobby Lobby. She wanted to see my son and started crying. She said, 'Wow, he's beautiful! You're about to have some of the best times of your life.'” 😭 – @taylorduplantis6

“The same thing happened to me today. This older woman stopped me and my children from jumping into the leaves and said, 'I used to bring my children here.' “You and your babies will have these memories forever” 🥹❤️ – @sahmamab

“And the old man in the supermarket saw me with my son in the shopping cart and said: 'These are the best years of your life' 😭 immediately tears in his eyes” – @sarah_m825

“I'm having 7 little kids under 9 soon and I get so many rude comments but an old man on mcds said to me 'Thanks for being a mom, you're doing great' 🥹 and I cried.” – @mrebeccam5

“An old man came up to my husband and my 1-year-old child in a restaurant – I thought it was him [going to] Comment on how loud my son is – he said “I see you two spoiling your son – keep it up! Best time of your life.'” – @lindseyrobicheau

We look forward to sharing words of encouragement for other mothers

“My children are grown up and that’s what I think when I see young moms all the time. I'll start saying it.” ❤️ – @lindseyrobiceau

“I’m going to start saying things like that. So beautiful.” – @theta200

“I will try to tell new mothers this because it is so true!! We all know that raising children is hard, but it's also fun and funny.” – @sarahgalloy1

“This is what we all want and deserve to hear 😭 I’ll be telling other moms from now on 🩵” – @queenkoalette

Final thoughts

I know that sometimes I dig myself into (and dig myself out of) a hole of negativity, but Morrison's video immediately made me rethink my mindset. One TikTok user, @_kren15, commented: “As an overexcited mother of two, thank you for changing my perspective. 🥺”

Morrison ended her video by saying that these encouraging words were the “kind of spirit and energy” she will bring to motherhood. I want to do the same. Let us continue to acknowledge the hardships, but also acknowledge the glimmers of motherhood. As Morrison explains, “If you're a mom out there, I hope you have a lot of fun… Why not?”