It’s 5 p.m., and I’m in the thick of preparing dinner. The twins are locked in a heated argument that has escalated to tears and yelling, while my 3-year-old shouts from the bathroom that she’s had yet another accident. Amidst all this chaos, my partner calls me on his way home from work, asking, “How was your day?”
This question feels impossible to answer.
As a stay-at-home/work-from-home mom, my days are a whirlwind of emotions. There are moments of sheer joy, but also plenty of frustration. Each morning begins with a blend of delightful and chaotic events, like a never-ending cycle: “Good morning, my lovely girls!” quickly shifts to “Can you please help me instead of whining?” and then spirals into a frantic “Shoes! Coats! Backpacks! Now!” as I watch one of them attempt to brush their teeth with the dog’s toy!
My mornings are a rollercoaster, and since my partner leaves for work before the chaos begins, I find myself holding on for dear life, trying to manage the whirlwind of lunch boxes, hair accessories, and toothpaste. Even after we finally get out the door, there are still struggles: one child refuses to carry her backpack, another kicks her sibling, and a third gets a nosebleed all over the car seat.
Currently, my kiddos are in school just two days a week, so when I finally drop them off, returning to a quiet house feels like bliss. Sure, I have work to tackle, meals to prepare (seriously, how do they eat so much?), and an endless list of cleaning tasks, but at least I can crank up some music or relish the peaceful silence for a moment.
However, before I know it, it’s time to pick them up again. They are still young enough to run into my arms when I arrive, and I treasure those moments of warmth and joy. But the sweetness often fades quickly in the car as they start bickering about seat belts or other trivial matters.
Once we’re home, the chaos resumes with after-school meltdowns, muddy shoes, and backpacks bursting with papers. My mind races through the list of tasks that need addressing before bedtime: snacks, cleaning, answering a barrage of questions, breaking up fights, and preparing dinner. Suddenly, it feels like I’m back on that wild merry-go-round.
“How was my day?” How can I possibly summarize that? Right now, it feels overwhelming, but earlier, there were some lovely moments. Was it a good day? A bad day? How do I convey to my hardworking partner that I felt grateful for the sweet smiles I witnessed when I picked the kids up, yet also resentful of the chaos that followed?
It’s a constant tug-of-war between joy and frustration. Each day brings laughter, but it can also feel difficult to find the humor in the madness. Most days begin with both smiles and frowns, and they often end with a much-needed glass of wine and a sore back.
The real struggle for me lies in these rollercoaster days, which reflect my mixed feelings about my choice to be a stay-at-home mom. Some moments I feel fulfilled and grateful, while others leave me questioning everything and contemplating other options.
Yet, this is the life we’ve chosen. At the end of each day, when the house finally quiets down, I tuck my kids in, whispering, “Goodnight, my sweet girls. I love you. Today was a good day.” And as challenging as it can sometimes be, I remind myself that we are fortunate to have each other, to be healthy, and to have a home. In the grand scheme of things, it really was a good day.
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Summary
Parenting is a blend of joy and chaos, with each day bringing both delightful moments and overwhelming challenges. While it’s difficult to encapsulate the experience in a simple answer, at the end of the day, love and gratitude prevail.