The Middle Child

Hey Mamas! Today, let’s take a moment to shine a light on our middle babies.

Motherhood is a beautiful journey, filled with endless love, learning, and moments that shape not just our children but us as well. But let’s be real—sometimes, in the whirlwind of new babies, household responsibilities, and daily life, our middle children can unintentionally fade into the background. Today, I want to encourage you to take a moment and check in—of course we love all of our babies BUT are we watering the middle seed the way it should be waterd?

I have a 5-year-old daughter who’s about to turn 6 in just a few months and a sweet baby boy who just turned 7 months today. Right in the middle is my precious Promise—my 2-year-old wild but gentle giant. If Tarzan had a twin, it would be him! He’s always been a little bigger for his age, but his heart is just as soft as his hugs.

It’s so easy to get caught up in pregnancy preparations, postpartum recovery, and tending to a newborn that the baby before the baby doesn’t always get the same level of attention. My soon-to-be 6-year-old, Genesis, is independent—she knows her routine, brushes her teeth before bed, grabs her bonnet after her bath, and even helps around the house. When she needs me, it’s usually for homework, video games with Daddy, or special mommy-daughter time with nail polish and a million questions. But my middle baby, Promise, was experiencing a shift for the first time. He wasn’t used to sharing Mommy this much.

Between managing the home, taking care of a newborn, running a business, and keeping everything on track, I found myself unintentionally giving Promise less of my undivided attention in certain areas. Of course, we love all our babies and make sure they feel seen—but one day, I realized something. In the midst of recovering from a c-section, navigating newborn life, and adjusting to our new normal, I hadn’t hugged my sweet boy the way I used to.

Instead of letting guilt take over, I got up. I went to him, scooped him into my arms, held him tight, and told him I loved him. His face lit up with a smile as always. And in that moment, I knew—he had been waiting for me. If you know me, you know I keep my babies under me like white on rice, but just looking them in the eyes for a few moments and allowing them to feel that love on a personal level can do so much. Just like he needed that reassurance, he will need intention in every area—his academics, his Jesus walk, everything! We are responsible for watering their seeds until they leave the nest.

It’s easy to unintentionally let the TV or tablet become a replacement when life gets busy, even if it’s an educational show or something about Jesus. But we can’t let that happen. One thing we do to decrease tech time is No Tech Thursdays for a couple of hours. We make sure to spend time where it’s needed by going to the library, doing scavenger hunts, science experiments, and more—ensuring that everyone is involved and learning together.

With my first child, I started her schooling before she turned one. I homeschooled her until she was four, then sent her to a Christian school fully prepared. But with Promise, I started later—right before he turned two—and I saw the difference. But I was pregnant with my fourth, battling nausea, pain, and constant doctor’s appointments. I couldn’t be as present, and in some ways, I let him just “be.” When I finally caught it, I knew I had to step back in. And the moment I did, I saw him respond—he was waiting for me to lead him again.

Whether you have a village to help or you’re doing it alone, God will give you the wisdom to care for each of your children. The Holy Spirit will show you where to pour more love, where to speak life, and where to be present. I am grateful that God showed me where to step back in with my middle baby.

Promise doesn’t have to be the wildflower left to grow on his own while I tend to other gardens—I will make sure the sun shines on him too. He doesn’t have to wonder if I love him just because I’m cuddling his siblings—I will wrap him in love just the same. He won’t have to figure things out alone—I will always stop, no matter how busy I get, to guide him to his purpose in that moment.

If you realize you haven’t watered your middle seed as much as you should, don’t sit in guilt. Just get up, grab the watering can, and pour into them. YOU GOT THIS MAMA!

Unfun Fact: Some children grow up battling depression, suicidal thoughts, and isolation because they felt unseen, unheard, and unloved. That void can become a dangerous pit if left unfilled. But hear me loud and clear, Mamas—that is NOT our portion, and it is NOT our children’s portion! We are Kingdom Moms, covered by God’s wisdom and grace. We rebuke any snakes in our children’s garden, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Scripture to Hold Onto:
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." — Proverbs 22:6

Let’s keep watering our children, Mamas. They are growing into something beautiful!