As a parent, I often find myself venting about the challenges of motherhood. Each time I do, I am met with the familiar refrain: “Cherish these moments before they pass,” or “Live in the now.” While I understand the sentiment behind these words and acknowledge their validity, the truth is that the advice can feel more irritating than uplifting at times. It’s not that I don’t want to embrace the present; I just can’t always manage it.
With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of reasons why fully living in the moment can be a challenge for me. Here are 37 reasons I’m not completely embracing the moment as a parent:
- Exhaustion has me so disoriented that I mistakenly told someone I had a baby girl—when, in fact, my baby is a boy.
- It’s hard to be fully present when my energy is fueled by excessive amounts of calorie-laden coffee.
- There are days when I feel I might collapse from fatigue, but a quick trip to the drive-thru coffee shop gives me just enough strength to keep going.
- I know I won’t shed the 30 pounds I gained if I keep indulging in those caffeinated drinks, but sometimes survival takes precedence.
- I have a sneaking suspicion that there’s baby poop under my fingernail.
- I prepared breakfast, only for my toddler to declare that she “only eats eggs on Tuesdays,” resulting in a 30-minute meltdown.
- The heat makes it unbearable to wear a supportive nursing bra, but I risk leaking milk if I wear the comfortable one instead.
- So my choices are limited to either being uncomfortable and itchy or damp and milky.
- Despite diligently taking my placenta pills, I sometimes wake up feeling like I’ve completely derailed my life.
- My toddler just decided to pee on the pool deck.
- The bickering between my older kids can drag on for so long that I take the toddler and newborn out just to escape the noise.
- When we finally arrive somewhere, they sit beside me and complain about the heat.
- Meanwhile, I’m dealing with my own physical discomfort.
- I often catch myself snapping at them to “go away!”
- Then guilt sets in, reminding me to cherish every fleeting moment.
- Just fifteen minutes ago, I embraced motherhood, and now I want nothing more than to escape into a game on my phone.
- Constant demands from my children have turned their voices into just another noise in the mix, making it hard to tune in.
- When someone tells me to enjoy every moment, it often just makes me feel guilty for not doing so.
- I can’t help but think about how quickly my kids are growing up, and it leaves me feeling regretful for not soaking in moments from their earlier years.
- Financial worries are always on my mind.
- I’m anxious about how to get my writing done amidst the chaos of a newborn whose only interests are nursing and sleeping.
- Sometimes, I find myself crying over nothing.
- My kids notice my tears and ask why, leading to a cycle of confusion and concern.
- I make a mental note to avoid watching any more heartstring-tugging videos.
- It’s late afternoon, and I just realized that it’s time for my kids to eat again—why must they eat so frequently?
- Our dog escaped through a broken fence, and I’m reminded of how easy it is to overlook his needs.
- I’m embracing motherhood, but not every moment feels joyful.
- I stayed up late working, only to be woken up at 3 am by a baby who refuses to sleep.
- It’s hard to savor anything when I’m battling a headache and desperately trying to soothe a fussy baby.
- I fear my newborn might have a health issue, and I can’t shake that worry.
- It’s early morning, and I’m already researching medical concerns online.
- As the morning progresses, my toddler insists on cuddling, which is both sweet and exhausting.
- The kitchen is beginning to smell unpleasant, which adds to the chaos.
- My voicemail inbox is overflowing, and I dread checking it.
- I have numerous emails piling up, and my auto-responder still says “Just had a baby,” even though that was weeks ago.
- My kids are having mac and cheese for the umpteenth time, and I worry about their nutrition.
- The thought of going to Costco is overwhelming; I’m just too tired.
In the midst of all these challenges, I sometimes find brief moments of joy—like when my children laugh or when a funny scene plays out in a show we’re watching together. These moments remind me that while parenting can often feel overwhelming, there are still beautiful instances worth cherishing.
While I may not always feel capable of fully embracing motherhood, I am trying my best, just like every other parent. Please stop advising me to enjoy every moment; I am embracing what I can, as best as I can.
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Summary
Motherhood is filled with challenges that can hinder one’s ability to fully embrace the present moment. From exhaustion and financial worries to the chaos of daily life, many parents find it difficult to savor every experience. Despite this, fleeting moments of joy and laughter remind us of the beauty in parenting amidst the struggles.