Every mom knows that blissful moment when her little ones are finally down for a nap. After a whirlwind morning filled with feeding, cleaning, and managing the inevitable chaos, she lovingly tucks her kids into bed and eagerly anticipates a few precious moments to herself. But just as she sinks into her cozy spot on the sofa, ready to unwind, the doorbell rings. Peering through the window, she spots a beloved family member or friend, and the familiar “Surprise!” face emerges. While she adores this person, the timing couldn’t be worse.
“I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I’d drop by. Hope that’s alright!” they say cheerfully.
In her best hostess manner, she smiles and welcomes them inside. But honestly, an hour later would have been ideal. They chat for a while, but soon, she hears the unmistakable sounds of her kids waking up. With a sigh, she prepares their snacks and braces herself for another round of feeding, cleaning, and referee duties. After the evening routine, she finally sits down with her spouse to discuss everything from work to politics, only to realize she’s had no time to herself all day.
It might sound negative, but I’m voicing a sentiment shared by many mothers who may not openly express it: we genuinely enjoy your company, but we’d appreciate a heads-up before you come by. A quick call or text allows us to plan our day better and tidy up a bit. You might say, “Oh, a little mess doesn’t bother me,” but the truth is, it does matter to us.
While it’s impossible to keep the house spotless every minute, we’d love the chance to present it in a way that makes us feel comfortable. If you’re stopping by in the afternoon, I might need to tidy things up while the kids are having lunch. If it’s a morning visit, I might have to stay up a bit later the night before to do some cleaning.
I get that nap time seems perfect for a visit because it’s quieter, but for many of us, it’s the only time we have to recharge. It’s the one part of the day without constant calls of “Mommy!” or requests for snacks. It’s the rare moment we can relax and watch something other than kids’ programming. I would much prefer you visit before or after nap time when the day’s hustle is already in full swing. Let’s enjoy the outdoors under a tree while the kids play, or have a cozy chat at my kitchen table while I prepare dinner.
I genuinely want to see you, but please—don’t swing by during nap time.
For more insights into motherhood and to explore helpful resources, check out this article on home insemination techniques, or learn more from Make A Mom. Additionally, if you’re looking for more information on pregnancy and home insemination, UCSF’s Center is an excellent resource.