Moms of More Than One: I Totally Get It

home insemination Kit

Hey there, fellow moms of multiple kiddos,

Consider this my heartfelt apology. I’m throwing in the towel and admitting that you were right all along; I really didn’t understand what it meant to juggle more than one child until it happened to me.

Before my second little one arrived, I was getting decent sleep and managing to shower regularly (imagine that!). I thought I had the whole mom thing down and was proud of my ability to maintain a semblance of my pre-baby life. But then came baby number two, and suddenly, the reality behind all those memes about coffee-drinking mothers hiding in the bathroom with chocolate became crystal clear.

I now truly get it—every bit of it.

I understand why the TV is always on, even though I once promised I’d never let cartoons babysit my kids. I get why the allure of 23 minutes of peace outweighs the guilt of letting them watch animated nonsense. I see how you can go from preparing homemade organic purees for your first child to stocking up on 10-for-$10 jars of Gerber for the second. I know how meals can turn into peanut butter smeared on stale bread instead of the gourmet lunches you used to whip up when you had time to cut carrot sticks.

I totally get that moment when you realize one of your kids is the “dirty kid” in class—the one with the crusty milk mustache and remnants of breakfast in the backseat because you were too busy wrangling the other one. I see how even the best-laid plans can go awry; how baths get skipped, teeth don’t get brushed, and bedtime stories turn into a speed-reading challenge. You and your partner collapse on the couch after finally getting everyone to bed, wondering where the last two hours went.

I get why you sometimes give in to the tantrums or why a quick snack can feel like the only way to restore peace, and how you might find yourself handing over your phone just to survive a pediatrician visit. (Oh, how I swore I’d never be that parent!)

I understand how it can feel like your paycheck goes straight to daycare or how, with more kids, life’s challenges seem insurmountable. Did you know kids eat every day? Apparently, they do! I get how your makeup goes untouched, your favorite dress stays unworn, and that book on your nightstand remains stubbornly unfinished. You might even realize that you don’t recognize any of the songs on the radio anymore because, let’s face it, your news feed is just a parade of brunch photos.

I know why you’re always late, despite your best intentions. Leaving the house can seem like a solution until you spend an eternity packing snacks, finding shoes, and nursing the baby who, of course, is suddenly starving once strapped into the car seat. I understand why it can feel easier to just stay home forever.

I see how your patience wears thin and tempers flare. Motherhood can sometimes feel like survival mode, even when your love for your children is immeasurable. But let me tell you this: Despite the fear of not loving another child as much as your first, your heart expands to accommodate each new little one. The love you feel for each child is unique yet equally powerful. Even on the toughest days, you’ll find joy in this chaotic whirlwind of parenthood. Having more kids doesn’t mean the end of your life; it’s the start of a beautiful, albeit different, adventure.

Warmly,
A Mom of Two Who Finally Gets It

For more insights, check out one of our other blog posts on home insemination that offers great tips. If you’re exploring your options, Make a Mom is a fantastic authority on the topic. Also, Women’s Health provides excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.

In summary, navigating motherhood with multiple children is a wild ride filled with ups and downs. From the chaos of daily routines to the overwhelming love that grows with each new arrival, it’s a journey that transforms you in ways you never anticipated.