Dear friends who often say, “The days feel endless, but the years pass swiftly”:
I understand your intentions, but today, I need to share something with you.
You’ve seemingly forgotten just how lengthy these days can be. You’ve overlooked the realities of early motherhood—like being abruptly awakened by a 2-year-old, hollering for pancakes and cartoons at 5:03 a.m. Then, you stumble out of bed to make those pancakes, only to navigate through 12 minutes of deciphering toddler demands. You jump through all the required hoops—adding chocolate chips and serving them on the blue plate with the yellow fork—only to hear, “Mom, can I have toast instead?”
You’ve forgotten.
You’ve neglected the experience of finally using the restroom at 4 p.m. and realizing it’s the first time you’ve glimpsed yourself in a mirror all day. That the remnants of the morning’s pancakes are splattered across the yoga pants you’ve been wearing since Tuesday. And your hair? Well, it’s greasy because the baby’s been fussy and your partner’s been working late, leaving no time for self-care.
You’ve forgotten.
You’ve forgotten what it’s like to never complete a sentence. To struggle to finish a thought. To exist in fragmented moments of trying to connect with other adults, yet never managing to convey a meaningful message.
You’ve forgotten.
And now that I’ve said my piece, it’s your turn. I already know what you’ll say.
Because it rings so true. I know—I’m forgetting too.
I’m starting to forget that, someday, I’ll yearn for the days when my little ones are getting muddy in the backyard when they shouldn’t be. But today, those muddy feet just add one more chore to my evening routine—a meal I’ll spend 30 minutes preparing, only to have no one eat it.
But you’re right. I did forget.
I forgot that, in the near future, this dependent baby who only wants me to hold him will grow into a boy who may shy away from public hugs. I forgot that there will come a time when I can enjoy fine dining with my partner every night if I choose. Yet, I’ll find myself missing the delightful interruptions of a child’s whimsical tales and silly requests.
I forgot.
One day, I will watch my children blossom, get married, and chase their dreams. They won’t need me in the same way anymore. I’ll be proud of them, but I’ll also feel a twinge of sadness as I see them walk across that graduation stage, head off to that airport, or exchange vows.
Because they won’t need me anymore.
Soon, no one will ask for pancakes or that silly blue fork.
But today is not that day.
Today was long, exhausting, thankless, and demanding. The kids were needy and misbehaving, far from perfect. And you know what? That’s completely fine. That’s life. That’s motherhood in this moment—even in your dream job, hard days are allowed.
“The days feel endless, but the years fly by.” I guarantee there will be plenty of days when I’ll welcome your thoughts on how quickly time passes. But today is not one of those days.
Because you forgot just how long these days can truly be.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to strap a fussy baby to my back, break up a toddler squabble over the superhero cup, tackle a mountain of laundry, and whip up a gourmet dinner. Spoiler alert: No one will eat it, and I’ll probably end up microwaving some hot dogs at 8:47 p.m.
For more on topics that resonate with all of us navigating parenthood, you can check out this insightful blog post on Cervical Insemination. And if you’re considering at-home options, look into MakeAMom for a reliable selection of insemination kits. Additionally, Parents.com offers an excellent overview of the IVF process and its relevance to home insemination.
Summary:
This article captures the essence of early motherhood, highlighting the long, demanding days contrasted against the fleeting years. It reflects on the challenges and joys of parenting, acknowledging the struggle of daily tasks while also recognizing the bittersweet nature of growing children. It emphasizes the importance of being present in these moments, despite their challenges, and encourages readers to appreciate both the long days and short years of parenthood.
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