They say it’s best to rise before your kids for a slice of peace and a chance to gear up for the day. Sounds lovely, right? But let’s be real. Unless I’m setting my alarm for 5:14 a.m., it’s just not happening. I’d much rather enjoy those precious extra minutes of sleep than steal away 10 minutes of solitude that will surely be interrupted by my little ones, who seem to have an uncanny “she’s-awake” radar. Once I’m up, they’ll know it, and their demands will come crashing in. And honestly? I’m not ready for that at 5:14 a.m.
So, I choose to snooze as long as I can. When they finally wake up, it’s never a gentle start. My morning typically kicks off with a tap on the eyelid (thank you for that gentle nudge, I’m awake now), a kick in the back (if you’re sneaking into my bed, please do so with a little more finesse), or a full-blown scream (for the love of sleep, I hear you, just give me ten more minutes!).
No, my morning awakening isn’t subtle, gradual, or intentional. It’s more like a wake-up call from a marching band: “GET OUT OF BED, MOM! WE’RE UP, AND WE NEEEEED THINGS!” Yes, that’s right—things. Plural.
Okay, okay. Let me just brush my tee… “No, Mom! My SOCK! It’s all wrong, and I need you to fix it.”
Alright, let me just take a shower… “MOM!!! Where’s my SHIRT?! Is it clean? Where is my shirt?!”
Forget that, let me just splash some water on my fa… “MOOOOMMMY!!! My show isn’t working, and I neeeed lunch.”
I think you mean breakfast, but whatever. Let me just find my yoga pa… “MOM! The baby just dumped cereal all over the floor, and the dog is eating it! Hurry up, Mom!”
And on it goes.
Until finally… “STOP IT!!! EVERYONE JUST STOPPPP IT!!! Stop whining about your sock. Stop telling me we’re going to be late. STOP SPILLING THINGS AND… what on earth is that smell? Seriously? Did you have to poop RIGHT AFTER I JUST BUNDLED YOU ALL UP AND 30 SECONDS BEFORE WE NEED TO WALK OUT THE DOOR?! EVERYONE! JUST STOP!!”
“But, Mom…”
“WHAT?!”
“My sock?”
“I DON’T CARE ABOUT YOUR DAMN SOCK! Either deal with it or grab a new pair.”
And then the waterworks start. Cue the mom-insults and the thoughts about why our mornings always devolve into chaos. This leads to a lecture about morning expectations on the way to the bus stop, followed by a chilly kiss goodbye. And then… wait for it… the bus pulls away.
There it is, that familiar pit in my stomach that comes with the bus stop guilt. My eyes scream, “I love you, and I’m sorry!” while my mind wonders if he knows that. He must know it, right?
For more relatable insights on parenting, check out our post on morning struggles that many parents face. And if you’re considering at-home options, Make A Mom offers excellent resources for insemination kits. Additionally, for guidance on fertility and pregnancy, Johns Hopkins provides valuable information.
In summary, mornings as a mom can be a whirlwind of chaos and demands, filled with a mix of love, frustration, and that ever-present bus stop guilt.
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