“Wow, you’ve really got your hands full, huh?”
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard this in the last nine and a half years, I could probably afford a solid gold coffee maker. At the grocery store, in a department store, at the playground, during school drop-offs and pickups, on the soccer and baseball fields, at the pharmacy, in the doctor’s waiting room, at a restaurant, and even on my own front lawn — you name it.
Anytime I venture out with one, two, three, or four tiny humans in tow and there’s someone within earshot, this question pops up.
Sometimes it’s a friendly, casual observation. Other times, it feels more like a judgmental poke at my chaotic life, as if I’m some kind of circus juggler with my demon spawn. Either way, I usually respond with a shy smile and an eye roll that screams, “Yep, my hands are full. Feel sorry for me!”
But deep down, my brain is racing, and my blood is boiling as I silently craft the perfect witty comeback for these suburban onlookers, because, believe it or not, I adore having my hands full. Here’s why:
Having my proverbial hands full signifies that so many other areas of my life are overflowing too:
- My arms are cradling sweet little ones who crave hugs, rocking, and love.
- My lap is a battleground for toddlers vying for storytime and giggles.
- My mind is buzzing with ideas for birthday parties, weekend adventures, holidays, and crafts to share with my kids.
- My heart swells with wonder when I see their little smiles and acts of kindness.
- My calendar is bursting with games, events, and family gatherings.
- My fridge is stocked with food to nourish my crew.
- My home is filled with cribs, bunk beds, dressers, and shelves overflowing with books.
- My closets are brimming with toys, clothes, shoes, and even more toys.
- My attic is a treasure trove of baby gear ready to be sold or handed down, along with containers of precious kiddie art (which I assure you are all masterpieces).
- Even the corners of my house are packed.
And guess what else is full? My heart — bursting with love!
Am I exhausted? Absolutely. Is my lap a constant wrestling match? You better believe it. Do I sometimes feel like I’m spinning in circles? Definitely. Do worry and anxiety creep in every single day? Without a doubt. Are weekends a chaotic roller coaster ride? Often. Are my once-perky boobs now working overtime? Oh, you bet. Am I ready to collapse by 3 p.m. daily? You can count on it.
With all this overflow, one might wonder how my heart keeps up, or why I don’t just drop everything. The truth is, my heart expands to accommodate it all. It supports my busy hands and embraces the chaos in the most beautiful way. It takes in all the ups and downs and processes them like only a mother’s heart can. It’s resilient yet tender because it has to be.
So next time you spot that mom of four (or more) struggling through her weekly Target run, attempting to feed cold pancakes to her kids at brunch, or just juggling her brood for a quick trip to the post office, please resist the urge to pity her or judge her. She chose to fill her life with these little humans, and she loves them fiercely. While she certainly enjoys a glass of red wine after a long day, what may look like a struggle to you is simply her everyday life. She’s living her truth, loving fiercely, and embracing the beautiful chaos.
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Summary
In this piece, Jamie Thompson reflects on the often-judgmental comments she receives about parenting multiple children. While acknowledging the challenges of motherhood, she highlights the love, fulfillment, and joy that come with having a busy family life. Rather than seeking pity, she encourages others to recognize the beauty in the chaos of parenting.