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Grateful for the Glimmers
PDT Real Talk
Mona Amin
May 25, 2025
May always seems to fly by–between school events, shifting routines, and the sprint toward summer, it’s easy to miss the small stuff.
So, this month we asked:
“What’s something you’ve felt grateful for lately in this season of parenthood?”
You shared the kind of moments that feel familiar in the best ways. Not flashy or profound–just real. The stuff that makes you nod along and think, yep, same over here!
It’s easy to let the days blur together in a season filled with sticky hands, snack negotiations, and “why is everyone crying at 5:03 p.m.?” energy. But gratitude has a way of cutting through the noise. Whether it was a a hard-earned poop in the potty, a spontaneous “I love you!” or a meltdown that miraculously didn’t happen–these little glimmers stood out.
And they reminded us that even in the mess, there’s magic worth noticing.
Here are three themes that came up again and again:
The Small Wins That Made A Big Impact
You know the kind–the ones that feel tiny from the outside but shift the entire vibe of the day. The little breakthroughs, the surprising yeses, the moments where you think, wait….did that just go well? Sometimes it’s the bath bombs. Sometimes it’s the poop. Whatever it is–it counts.
“My daughter surprises me some days by eating things I totally didn’t think she’d be willing to eat!”
“Potty training has been a struggle and my 3yo has been pooping overnight a lot lately but he pooped in the potty for the first time last week! Hoping he does it again! Never thought I’d get so excited about poop as I have as a mom.”
“My 5 year son usually wakes up feeling upset and not wanting to go to school. We are always late. And I always felt horrible making him go. But, the last few days this has changed - he got up happily and did his morning routine, which now includes a short bike ride outside. I am so grateful so this improvement. I like to think adding a short bike ride has helped his mornings. I think it refreshes him. Fingers crossed this continues.”
“We’ve been battling bath time (which is needed nightly for how dirty she’s been after daycare with this nice weather we’ve had in Iowa lately!) with our 20 month old. She doesn’t want to sit down or have her hair rinsed. A bath bomb changed her outlook completely. So today I’m thankful for a bath bomb that made her bath fun for the both of us :)”
“My 3.5 year old daughter was getting super frustrated with her balance bike. She stopped, took a deep breath, and said “I can do hard things.” Then she looked at me and said “you can do hard thing, too, mommy. We can do this together.” It was incredible to see her reassure herself and me at this moment and see that doing something together is a great option.”
The Power of Connection
Sometimes love shows up in the smallest, most unexpected ways. A tight hug that you didn’t ask for. A spontaneous “I love you!” The connection you didn’t plan for, but suddenly it’s there– and you feel it. It’s a reminder that your presence matters.
“My oldest has started spontaneously saying “I love you momma” or “I love you dadda” usually accompanied by a snuggle or hug, and dang if it doesn’t just melt me into a puddle every time.”
“A long hug from my 18-month-old after a tough moment.”
“The bond already forming between my 2.5 year old daughter and 3 month old son. They love each other so much and now she makes all our baby dolls experience the same milestones & activities as my son (diaper changes, breastfeeding, tummy time, etc). It melts my heart to see them happy together.”
They’re Growing, and So Are We
It’s not always obvious when progress is happening. But every now and then, something shifts–and you see it. A tiny leap in independence. A new milestone. A glimpse of empathy. They’re becoming more of who they are, and you’re evolving too. One day at a time.
“I’m grateful for the growth in my 2-year-old’s communication. It’s been so lovely to have more of a conversion and understand each other a bit more each day!”
“I've been grateful for their increasing independence and playtime together. It's been helpful for me to get things done and take better care of myself.”
“Watching my 5 year old and 2 year old "read" books together. We experienced recurrent miscarriages after having our daughter and we never thought the day would come where we could watch her play with a sibling. It's truly a dream come true.”
“My 4-month-old baby is meeting all of his milestones, despite having gone through the silent reflux, stridor, and reflux.”
“I am grateful to be adjusting to mom life with two kids! We have taken a couple of outings just the 3 of us and I’m grateful it has gone (mostly) well.”
Final Thoughts (and a little something to keep the gratitude flowing)
Gratitude doesn’t mean every moment is easy– it just means we’re taking time to notice the ones that feel meaningful. The snack you didn’t have to share. The bedtime that didn’t end in tears. The tiny “I love you” that came out of nowhere. These are the glimmers that carry us.
If this month’s reflections resonated with you, check out this PedsDocTalk Podcast Episode about gratitude and parenting. In it, I share how gratitude can shift your mindset–even in the thick of parenting stress–and how it helps create space for connection, perspective, and peace (without ignoring the hard stuff).
Thank you to everyone who shared this month. Whether you submitted a story or simply reflected on your own glimmers while reading, we hope it helped you pause and notice something good. It doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t have to be profound. Just something real–and meaningful to you.
The winner of this month’s giveaway has been notified via email. Keep an eye out for another question in the next Q&A newsletter!
Thank you for being part of our incredible community ❤️
PedsDocTalk Monthly Recap
Check out the PedsDocTalk monthly recap of the most-viewed and talked-about content on Instagram, YouTube, and the podcast. From navigating screen-time boundaries to supporting strong-willed kids, these topics have sparked important conversations. Take a look at what’s been catching your attention this month!
On Instagram
This reel reminds us that screens aren’t the enemy—but how we use them matters. It explores how tech can interrupt connection and offers practical tips to stay present without ditching productivity. From setting boundaries to narrating your tech use, the post encourages parents to aim for presence, not perfection.
This post reassures parents that noisy newborn sleep–grunting, squeaking, flailing–is completely normal. It explains why babies stir so often and offers clear tips on when to wait, when to respond, and which signs may warrant a call to the pediatrician. A helpful reminder that sometimes, the best thing to do is pause and observe.
On YouTube
This video tackles the persistent myth that vaccines cause autism, breaking down where the myth started, why it took hold, and what the science actually shows. It also explores why reopening this debunked claim is harmful, what’s behind rising autism rates, and how we can shift the conversation toward truth and trust.
On The Podcast
This episode dives into what it really means to parent a strong-willed child. Dr. Mona is joined by parent coach Zack Kasabo to discuss common misconceptions, the importance of reframing strong-willed traits as strengths, and how mutual cooperation–not power struggles–can help kids thrive. A must-listen for any parent navigating big personalities and even bigger feelings.
In The Media
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