This morning was one of those mornings. From the moment my alarm blared, I felt irritable and overwhelmed. My kids, Max and Liam, overslept after a long four-day weekend, and we struggled to transition back into our school routine. We rushed through brushing our teeth and packing lunches. Breakfast turned into a bowl of cereal in the car, which predictably spilled all over the interior just as we dashed out the door.
You know what I mean, right? Those mornings when everything feels slightly off, yet there’s no significant issue at hand. Life is generally good, but you feel out of sorts—cranky and frustrated. Maybe you had a trivial argument with your partner over something inconsequential that you can’t quite recall. Perhaps work has you stressed, or a comment on social media has rubbed you the wrong way. You might just be tired, hungry, or dealing with hormonal fluctuations. And let’s not forget the endless calls from your kids: “Mom, can you help me?” or “Mom, he’s bothering me!” or “Mom, the dog made a mess!”
We all experience those mornings, days, or even weeks occasionally. While there’s plenty of advice from psychologists and parenting experts on how to turn things around—exercise, meditation, slow down, and be present—sometimes, it just feels like too much. On mornings like today, I don’t need more tips on how to be mindful or calm. I know what I should do, and I suspect you do too.
What I really need is a bit of grace, a hefty dose of forgiveness, and reassurance that I’m not a terrible parent, even if I yelled at my kids to hurry up so loudly that I’m sure the neighbors heard. Here’s the advice I wish someone would offer on those tough mornings:
- Find a secluded room in your house, as far away from the chaos as possible—a bathroom or closet will do just fine.
- Lock the door behind you.
- Let out a string of expletives—yell everything you can think of (and even make up new ones!) for good measure.
- Shoot a text to a close friend—preferably one who won’t be offended by your colorful language—and vent your frustrations.
- Take a moment to wallow if you need to. Complain, cry, and express your feelings, even if it includes a few more choice words.
- Once you’ve had your moment, unlock the door and return to your family.
And if that doesn’t help, well, you might consider giving deep breathing a shot, meditating, or reminding yourself that this too shall pass. Yes, this too shall freaking pass.
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Summary:
Mornings can be tough for parents, especially after long weekends when routines are disrupted. While expert advice often suggests mindfulness and calmness, sometimes, what we need is a release. Finding a quiet space, venting frustrations, and reconnecting with ourselves can help ease the challenges of parenting on difficult mornings.