Today is going to be a fantastic day! I’ve decided to heed the advice of everyone who has ever shared their thoughts on parenting and prioritize my own self-care. Because, you know, “If Mom isn’t taken care of, how can she care for everyone else?” Blah, blah, blah.
I kick off my morning by rising before my children. Ah, the luxury of a whole five minutes at 6 a.m. to stare sleepily at my coffee as it trickles into the pot. Oh, wait—five minutes? I had envisioned at least thirty minutes of solitude, but my kids seem to have a sixth sense for interrupting any moment of peace.
What’s the difference between enjoying hot coffee while pondering life’s important questions, like how long it’s been since I’ve plucked my eyebrows, and scrolling through Pinterest while spilling cold coffee on my pajama bottoms and questioning how many hours of TV it takes for my kids’ brains to melt? Exactly. Not the best start.
Next up is a nutritious breakfast, which I’m told is essential for a good day. I’ve been conditioned to believe breakfast is crucial, so I whip up some fresh berries and yogurt for myself. Naturally, my children decide they want my breakfast instead of their sugary cereal. “Sure, you can each have a bowl of yogurt. And yes, you may have some of my berries.” Sharing is caring, right?
What a fulfilling moment.
With cold coffee in one hand and yogurt in the other, I realize it’s time for a shower—part of my self-care plan. After all, being clean and dressed is supposed to make me more productive. Not that I can’t rock a Target maxi dress just as well as my old pajamas. I crank up the volume on the TV, shed my clothes, and step into the blissful water. Ahhh, the tension melts away… until a child bursts in.
“I have to pee!”
“Use the other bathroom!”
“But I want to be with you!”
“Fine, but DON’T FLUSH!”
As I try to find that sweet spot on my shoulders again, the shower turns into a battleground when another child rushes in. “I have to poop!”
“We have two bathrooms!”
“Can I shower with you?”
“No! I thought you had to poop?”
So much for some uninterrupted “me” time. I wrap up my shower, only to be interrupted by a child needing assistance in the bathroom—apparently, I should start asking for help with laundry so I can avoid it altogether.
Wrapped in a towel, I venture to the living room, where a fierce battle for the TV remote is underway, while the toddler, having escaped the baby gate, dances on the dining table amidst soggy cereal. At least I won’t be the one cleaning that mess off my clothes.
The rest of my day follows this chaotic rhythm: take care of the kids, attempt to care for myself, and then clean up after the whirlwind. So, I throw in the towel and redefine self-care as feeding everyone granola bars and fruit snacks until Dad gets home, when I can finally shave my armpits in peace.
If you’re interested in more insights about self-care and the parenting journey, check out other posts like this one on intracervicalinsemination.com. And for those on a fertility journey, Make a Mom offers invaluable resources. For more information on infertility and pregnancy, Women’s Health is an excellent resource.
Summary:
In the chaotic world of motherhood, the notion of self-care often feels like a fleeting dream. From attempting to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee to battling for bathroom time, the day quickly spirals into a whirlwind of parenting duties. Ultimately, redefining self-care becomes essential, with simple victories like snack time standing in for a luxurious moment alone.