This Grieving Mother’s Advice Is A Must-Read For All Parents

On June 2, Ashley Grimm’s worst nightmare came true. She and five of her children were in a horrific car accident that claimed the life of her 4-year-old son, Titus.

Her unthinkable nightmare was compounded by harsh criticism from internet commenters since Titus had found his way out of his car seat before the crash took place. Wanting to share her story, Grimm chose to speak directly to the hearts of her critics and sympathizers. She penned a heartbreaking Facebook message that has since gone viral urging other mothers to hold their children tight.

In this crazy world of go, go, go her advice to slow down and savor each moment really resonates. Take a moment to read her advice, share it with a friend and as Grimm says, “go hug your babies right now.”

Here are the 8 pieces of advice she wants every mom to know:

1. Maybe finishing broccoli at dinner isn’t as important as we might think. Watch how your children eat, soak in their hatred for corn (oh how Titus hated corn). Maybe they can still have ice cream – even just sometimes – while those veggies still sit on their plate.

2. Learn to pretend. Get into their world. Learn to play the Xbox with them. Embrace their beautiful, fleeting imagination. Let them really believe that they are Captain America or Queen Elsa. Get in their mind, see how they tick. The dishes will still be there.

2. Take every hug and kiss they bring you. Even the twenty fifth one they use just to get out of bed at night. And really squeeze them.

3. Stop and look at the bugs, the rocks, the sticks, the sunset. Slow down mama, slow down.

4. Tell them you love them. But look in their eyes and say it like you mean it. Tell them they can do anything—anything they set their mind to.

5. Yes, we must hold them accountable but sometimes—maybe grace is the answer. Maybe, just maybe, they won’t end up ruined if we let some things slide.

6. Never judge another mama. We don’t know the whole story, we don’t know. We just don’t know.

7. Go hug your babies right now. Soak in their smell, look at the innocent sparkle in their eyes that is lost somewhere between childhood and adulthood. Really feel how they squeeze you. Set down your phone and see them through the lens of your eyes not only the lens of your camera. Remember the feeling of their head on your shoulder, their hand in yours, their sloppy kisses on your cheeks. Nurse them one more time. Sleep is overrated. Listen five minutes longer about Star Wars, minecraft and Disney princesses.

8. Mamas, hold your children tight. How blessed you are to have been entrusted with such unique, beautiful, tiny humans.