A few years back, I sent my partner a rather shocking photo—my toddler’s room, a chaotic mess of what can only be described as a poop explosion. It all began with a symphony of furniture scraping against the tile floor during what was meant to be a peaceful nap time. As I opened the door, I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach, whispering to myself, “Please, let it not be poop.” But alas, it was even worse than I imagined!
I stood there, momentarily frozen in disbelief at the scene before me, my precious little one now a miniature menace. I thought to myself, “What on earth?” I rushed my little troublemaker into the shower, donned my latex gloves, and armed myself with cleaning supplies and a trash bag, ready for battle. Meanwhile, my youngest wailed from the sidelines, and as I scrubbed away, I couldn’t help but shed a few tears. It was the final straw in a long day filled with challenges, and I felt completely overwhelmed.
In that moment, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I hadn’t signed up for this part of motherhood. I mean, where in the motherhood manual does it say anything about crawling around on the floor, scrubbing poop off tiles? Surely I missed that memo somewhere between endless alphabet songs and teaching road safety.
But deep down, I knew I had signed up for it all the moment I decided to become a mom. Every messy, chaotic, and challenging aspect of caring for another human being came with the territory. And while I would do anything for my kids—even the not-so-pleasant tasks—I sometimes wish I could fast forward through the more difficult moments.
Fast-forward to today—my oldest is now 5, and my youngest is 3. The roller coaster of parenting has taken me through so many ups and downs since that fateful day. Most days, I manage to navigate it all with humor and grace, feeling like a superhero.
Yet, I’m not invincible. I have my limits, both mentally and emotionally. When I say I’m having a tough parenting day, it’s not about comparing struggles. I know others are facing challenges that are beyond my comprehension. This makes me feel a bit guilty, especially when it seems like everyone is in a constant game of “I have it better or worse than you.” Honestly, I’m over that.
At the end of the day, regardless of what we’re facing, we’re all in this together. Wouldn’t it be simpler if we supported each other instead of competing for a nonexistent prize? Some days I’m on top of the world, and other days, I’m just trying to keep my head above water—and I’m not afraid to admit it.
So here I am, from my little mountaintop, sending out a collective “We’ve got this!” to everyone facing difficulties. Whether you’re caring for a sick child, navigating the challenges of a loved one with disabilities, struggling with infertility, or simply trying to wrangle your energetic kids into bed, I salute you! And for those who are having a fantastic day, well, I salute you too—just kidding!
And to anyone who finds themselves reading this while their toddler is on a rampage, smearing their room with who-knows-what, I wish you the best of luck. Now, off to whip up some pancakes for dinner with my little ones. We might have skipped the grocery store today, but there’s always tomorrow!
In summary, parenting is a wild ride filled with both delightful and messy moments. We all face unique challenges, and it’s crucial to support one another rather than compete over whose struggles are more significant. Whether you’re navigating a tough day or celebrating a win, remember that we are united in this journey of parenthood.