It’s no secret that parenting can be exhausting. Have you ever noticed how your parenting style shifts dramatically from morning to afternoon? I wake up each day bursting with energy, filled with hopes and plans for enriching my child’s experiences. However, by the afternoon, I often feel like I’m just trying to survive. It’s strange how a simple shift in the clock can transform me from the enthusiastic Morning Mom to the more exhausted Afternoon Mom.
Morning Mom
She meticulously outlines a day brimming with educational activities. A sensory play station? A trip to the Botanical Gardens for a self-guided adventure? Volunteering at the community soup kitchen? Maybe even a delightful culinary journey exploring global cuisines with fun facts to boot? Talk about enriching!
Afternoon Mom
Does a bowl of enriched cereal count as a meal?
Morning Mom
Brimming with patience and understanding during those challenging diaper changes, she sees each whimper and cry as an opportunity for emotional growth. “Oh, my little one, I understand your frustration. This is just a moment we’re sharing, and you are safe with me.”
Afternoon Mom
Glances at the diaper and thinks, “Well, it’s just blue; you seem fine. Keep gnawing on that lamp cord, kiddo. Mommy’s just checking the oven timer to see if it’s cocktail hour yet.”
Morning Mom
Sticks to a structured schedule, ensuring that both she and her baby are on track. While baby naps, she tidies up toys, washes bottles, refreshes herself, and preps homemade baby food. If she’s lucky, she may even squeeze in a quick workout!
Afternoon Mom
Sits on the edge of her bed, watching the monitor as her baby tears down the beautifully crafted Etsy decor. “Why can’t you just go to sleep?” she whispers through gritted teeth, tugging at her hair in frustration.
Morning Mom
She believes wholeheartedly in the saying, “When you look good, you feel good.” Sporting a cute messy bun and a touch of makeup, she confidently dons her athleisure attire, accessorizing with a trendy bracelet. She wrestles with her leggings, determined to conquer her day, no thigh gap needed!
Afternoon Mom
By 3 p.m., her once-cute top bun has transformed into a messy knot at the nape of her neck. With sticky hands smudged across her cheek and a baby testing her pincer grasp on her clothing, she waddles into the nursery. Cheerios crunch underfoot as she dabs organic baby balm on her chapped lips while her phone buzzes with Grandma’s FaceTime call. “Oh, I put on makeup this morning,” she mumbles, barely managing a smile.
Morning Mom
Anxiously checks her Wonder Weeks app, planning activities around her baby’s developmental milestones. She sends a detailed email to her partner: “Honey, he’s not waving or pointing yet. We should discuss this with the pediatrician. Here are some articles on encouraging those behaviors.” Doubts swirl in her mind as she engages with her baby like a mime.
Afternoon Mom
Just wants to escape the house for a breath of fresh air. She bumps into that familiar face from high school who feigns surprise at seeing her. Her child, not quite ready for social niceties, fails to return the overly enthusiastic wave. “Good job, kiddo. Mommy never liked that girl anyway.”
Despite our unwavering love for our children, the reality of motherhood can feel overwhelming. Mornings brim with possibility, yet by the afternoon, the energy dwindles. I often find myself morphing into Afternoon Mom—a less cheerful, less polished version of my morning self. Perhaps it’s time to consider a new parenting approach: Afternoon Moms—refreshed and ready to tackle the day by 2 p.m.
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In summary, while the early hours of the day are often filled with hope and intention, the afternoon can indeed bring a shift in energy and motivation. Recognizing these transitions can help us embrace both sides of our parenting journey.
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