As I step out of the shower on Sunday—the blissful 15 minutes of solitude I savored—I can’t help but playfully say goodbye to my bathtub. “Until next weekend,” I whisper, blowing a dramatic kiss. No, I’m not odd—not really. I’m just a mom trying to find a laugh in the often chaotic reality of full-time motherhood.
Weekends are a rare treat for me. With my amazing partner, Tom, by my side, we manage to juggle our kids without the luxury of grandparents or babysitters whisking them away. Every Saturday and Sunday, I indulge in the delightful experience of sleeping in, sometimes past 8 a.m. (thank you, Tom!). I enjoy a few meals without a child interrupting to announce he’s just stuck a marble up his nose. And, of course, I get to reconnect with my long-lost love—an uninterrupted shower.
During these two days, I transform into a more patient version of myself. When the kids whine and create chaos, I can gently handle the situation, chuckle, and move on. And with Tom around to share the load, I’m not the only one dealing with the madness.
I become a fun mom on weekends, running through parks, playing hide-and-seek, and sharing jokes with an adult who appreciates my humor. Life feels more like the joyful portrayal of parenting we see on TV, where challenges are thought-provoking and laughter is abundant. Weekends remind me that I can handle this gig, and maybe even do it well.
But then Monday arrives like a storm cloud. My toddler, Jack, wakes me at 6:30 a.m., prying my eyelids open with tiny fingers. He cries when I set him in front of the iPad while I prepare breakfast. “I thought you liked the iPad!” I exclaim. But on Mondays, nothing seems to please him—or me.
As the workweek kicks off, I’m hit with the realization of how quickly I can unravel. Early mornings and sleep deprivation aren’t my strong suits, and I feel my patience dwindling when I can’t even manage basic needs like eating or showering without little ones clinging to me.
The contrast between my weekend bliss and the intensity of full-time parenting is stark. Monday mornings envelop me in a cloud of loneliness. I appreciate Tom, yet I can’t help but envy his escape into the adult world. His job may not be easy, but it offers a break from our routine.
I adore my kids more than anything, and I know that despite the challenges, there’s beauty in this life I lead as their primary caregiver. Someday, I’ll look back on these years with nostalgia, even cherishing the moments of desperation that made me feel like I couldn’t cope—but I did. I admire my perseverance.
I know that by Tuesday, things will settle down, and by Wednesday, we’ll find our rhythm. The weekend’s sweetness will fade into a pleasant memory, and although I’ll miss adult conversations, I’ll realize my kids can hold their own in dialogue, even if it mostly revolves around video games and bodily functions.
By Thursday, my humor will resurface, and by Friday, I’ll recognize that my life is wonderfully full. Then, just as I start to feel grounded again, the weekend will come around, bringing both joy and that familiar sense of dread. Sometimes I think it would be easier if weekends didn’t exist—too sweet with too harsh a transition. But maybe that’s just life’s rhythm.
In the end, I suppose I’ll always be navigating this unique cycle of parenthood. If you’re interested in learning more about the journey of parenthood or home insemination, check out this excellent resource. For more insights, visit Make a Mom, a great authority on the topic. And don’t forget to explore our other blog post that dives deeper into these themes.