Hey there, fellow moms,
Let me start by saying, I owe you an apology. I’m throwing in the towel and admitting it—I get it now. If you want to say you told me so, I can’t blame you.
Before my second little one arrived, I was still enjoying a decent amount of sleep, keeping up my personal care routine, and even managing to eat meals like a civilized person. I really didn’t understand the frenzy around never sleeping, eating, or showering again. I thought I had it all figured out, balancing motherhood with my old life.
Then came baby number two, and everything changed. Suddenly, those funny memes about moms running on caffeine and sneaking chocolate in the bathroom? They made perfect sense.
I totally understand why the TV is on all the time now, even though I once promised I’d never let cartoons babysit my kids. The temptation of 23 uninterrupted minutes with calmer kids outweighs any guilt I might feel about it. I get why I went from making homemade organic purees for my first kid to grabbing 10 jars of Gerber for my second. I even know how a slice of peanut butter on stale bread has become an acceptable meal instead of the Pinterest-worthy lunches I used to whip up.
I see how one of my kids has turned into that “dirty kid” at school, with dried milk on their face and remnants of breakfast stuck to them because I was too busy managing two kiddos to notice. I understand how routines can crumble, with baths skipped, teeth unbrushed, and bedtime stories hurried through. I’ve shared those moments with my partner on the couch after the kids finally sleep, wondering where the last two hours went.
I get why sometimes you just surrender to the tantrums, why a snack can be a quick fix for peace, or why handing over your phone can help you survive a pediatrician visit. (I swore I’d never do that! Oh, the irony.) I understand that with two kids, the financial strain feels much heavier, and how the cost of daycare can feel like you might as well be handing your paycheck straight to Target. Who knew kids needed to eat every single day?
I get how makeup gets ignored, cute outfits collect dust, and that novel on your nightstand remains halfway read. I’ve realized I don’t recognize half the songs on the radio anymore, and my news has turned into Facebook posts about brunch instead of actual headlines—I get that too.
I know why you’re always late, despite your best efforts. Why getting out the door sometimes feels like a monumental task, filled with snack packing, shoe searching, and nursing the baby who suddenly needs feeding right after being strapped in. I totally get why staying home can seem like the easier option.
I understand how tempers flare, patience runs thin, and how sometimes, even with all the love you have for your kids, you can feel like you’re just going through the motions of motherhood instead of truly enjoying it.
But here’s the silver lining: Despite the worries that you could never love another child as much as your first, your heart expands with each new baby. Each love is unique yet equally intense. Even on the toughest days, when it feels like you’re just surviving, you know deep down that raising these little humans, even in chaos, is the most rewarding journey you could imagine. Having more kids isn’t the end of your life; it’s just the beginning of something beautifully different.
Warmly,
A Mom of Two Who Finally Understands
P.S. If you’re curious about home insemination, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy at CDC and consider the CryoBaby at Home Insemination Kit for your journey. For more insights, don’t forget to read this post on our other blog here.
Summary:
In this heartfelt letter, a mom reflects on the realities of raising two children, admitting her initial underestimations of the challenges that come with motherhood. She shares relatable moments of chaos, humor, and the deep love that grows with each child, emphasizing that while parenting can feel overwhelming, it’s also an incredibly rewarding experience.