Top 5 Joys and Struggles of Motherhood

Motherhood is no walk in the park—it’s more like a triathlon with hurdles, right? When discussing the experience of being a mom, there’s an unspoken expectation to gloss over the daily chaos and focus solely on the blessing it brings. Sure, we are blessed, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t also left with a few battle scars—like a chipped tooth or a bloody lip courtesy of an enthusiastic toddler.

Raising little humans is arguably the most physically and emotionally demanding job out there. Thankfully, amidst the challenges, each pain is often countered by a joy that keeps the cycle of life going. Just today, my kids were loudly proclaiming “Boo-boos and Toots!” in a store, and I could practically feel my dignity evaporate. I grit my teeth and reminded them about manners while trying to maintain my composure—oh, the joys of public parenting!

Later, as we wrapped up dinner, I felt tiny hands on my shoulders. It was my son checking if I had survived the day’s embarrassment. “I’m sorry we embarrassed you, Mom,” he said. “Thank you for apologizing. Do you want to karate chop my shoulders?” His face beamed with delight as he began his little attack. Kids can be great—when they’re not trampling on my feet or head-butting me during tooth brushing time. Here are some other ups and downs of being a mom:

1. My Back. Oh, the Back Pain!

From hoisting kids in and out of car seats to bending over to scrub every last bit of dried Play-Doh from the carpet, backaches are a constant companion in motherhood. My idea of foreplay has turned into asking my husband to generously apply Bengay!

2. ‘Mommy Thumb’

Repeatedly picking up kids has left me with a nasty case of what I like to call “Mommy Thumb,” a form of tendonitis that feels like fire in my wrists. But here’s the silver lining: when I couldn’t lift anything for a couple of days, I made my kids do everything themselves—climbing into car seats, bathing solo, and even getting their own snacks. Win-win!

3. Head Injuries

Earlier this year, my eldest knocked me off balance, resulting in a concussion. After two trips to the ER, my memory returned, and I was back to normal. I’ve endured toy-related head blows and cabinet door accidents that have me seriously considering investing in a helmet for the whole family. But, nothing warms my heart more than their concerned puppy dog eyes asking if I’m okay.

4. My Knees Are Screaming

I may not be 80, but my knees sure feel like it! From scrubbing toothpaste off bathroom tiles to kneeling for diaper changes, they ache like crazy. And yes, I often find myself crawling around to clean up spilled coffee because I’m a klutz before my caffeine kicks in!

5. Stress Headaches

By around 3 p.m., I hit my limit on hearing “Mommy” for the millionth time. It’s unfortunate since there are still hours before bedtime. That’s why God invented wine—because he knew I’d need it! I recently swapped karate chopping for a Wahl massager, and now my kids get to pamper me instead.

As mentioned, for every challenge in motherhood, there’s a joy waiting to balance it out. If you’re interested in exploring more about the journey of motherhood, check out this link to our other blog post on intracervical insemination.

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In summary, motherhood is a blend of joy and struggle, where each challenge is countered by moments of pure delight. With every backache or headache comes a heartfelt hug or a silly laugh that reminds us why we signed up for this wild ride.