Five years ago, I found myself on my therapist’s couch, feeling utterly overwhelmed. I confided in her, “It’s like I’m trying to swim, but I’m sinking.” At that time, I was juggling four kids in four different schools, which translated to endless back-to-school nights, a plethora of teacher conferences, and a chaotic schedule of pickups and drop-offs. To top it off, I had just started a full-time job from home and was navigating a pretty messy divorce. What a delightful situation, right?
So, there I was, probably looking a bit frazzled in my yoga pants, clutching one of her decorative pillows for dear life while spilling my heart out. In her soothing tone, which often included quotes from poets and a lot of “How did that make you feel?“, my therapist suggested I create a chart to visualize how my life would evolve over the next five years.
“You need to see how much easier it will get,” she reassured me. Because I’m a good student of her advice, I went home and made that chart. On paper, it became clear that soon I would have one child heading off to college, followed by another the next year. My third would be entering high school, and my youngest would finally transition to the middle school just a hop, skip, and jump away from home. By the end of that five-year span, I envisioned three kids with driver’s licenses and my little one nearly 12. It looked so much more manageable, though it felt like a lifetime away.
Well, here I am now, and the irony is that life is so easy, it’s almost hilarious. Just last night, I didn’t even have to cook dinner! My daughter, now a high school senior, is usually out working or hanging with friends, while my youngest is busy with sports, leaving me with just my cat for company.
Five years ago, I would never have guessed how drastically my life would shift. Back then, I was working 60-hour weeks, juggling college applications, grocery shopping, and laundry, all while trying to support one of my kids who was having a tough time. Now, I find myself sipping wine and binge-watching Scandal instead of fretting over what’s for dinner.
But here’s the kicker: the future looks even more daunting. In just five years, I’ll only have my cat needing my help—if she’s still around! I’ll be celebrating my three kids’ college graduations (fingers crossed), and my youngest will be driving and just a junior in high school. And wait for it—my oldest will be turning 27. How did that happen?
Unlike five years ago, when contemplating the future brought me comfort, now it evokes a sense of nostalgia. I want to rewind time. Sure, I don’t want to relive those chaotic days with three teenagers under one roof—that was a rollercoaster ride of emotions—but the days felt endless. It seemed like there would always be kids needing me, whether it was for wiping little faces or driving them around town. Now, it feels like that chapter has closed in the blink of an eye.
I know it sounds cliché, but time flies. One moment you’re tossing Cheerios on a high chair tray, and the next, you’re lounging on the couch watching your favorite shows instead of cooking for a bunch of picky eaters.
To all the mamas out there struggling with their little ones—yup, I get it. Those loud complaints about bedtime and the dramatic declarations of being the “worst mom ever” are exhausting. You’re likely wishing they’d hurry up and grow up and move out. But trust me, one day you’ll miss those little rascals. You’ll long for the days when they asked you to take them to the toy store or Game Stop, and you’ll find yourself reminiscing about the two-hour dinners you slaved over only for them to declare it “gross.” You really will, just like me.
For more insights on navigating this journey, check out our other blog posts like the one on terms and conditions and visit Cryobaby’s site for expert tips on home insemination. Also, if you’re exploring different routes to parenthood, WebMD offers excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.