Updated: Dec. 20, 2015
Originally Published: July 17, 2015
This morning, in my usual frantic rush to get ready, I found myself trapped with my arms awkwardly above my head while attempting to pull on a sports bra. As always, time was not on my side, and in my haste, I ended up in quite the predicament. I considered for a moment whether it was even possible for an adult to give themselves nursemaid’s elbow—I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if I managed to do just that.
From the hallway, I heard the unmistakable sound of a toddler wailing, while her older sibling banged on the bedroom door. “MOMMY? MOMMY? MOMMY!!!!!” Their voices were muffled, edged with urgency, as I felt them closing in. The baby burst into the room, shuffling towards my makeup spread across the bathroom counter, while my three-year-old attempted to balance on my feet like a tiny, determined penguin. I yanked the bra off and took a deep breath.
As I exhaled, my little one poked me and asked, “Mommy? What are those things on your stomach?”
I replied, “Those are called breasts. NOW PLEASE GO PLAY SO I CAN GET DRESSED.”
I wrestled into my clothes, dabbed some concealer on my face, and grumbled about how much quicker I could get ready if only they would entertain themselves. My words landed on tiny, uninterested ears. They had no intention of playing; they wanted to be right there beside me, watching, asking questions, and exploring my deodorant sticks with curious fingers.
Right now, I’m in a phase of motherhood where uninterrupted time for anything—especially getting dressed—feels like a distant dream. It’s tough. I often think of those who’ve come before me (yes, grandparents, I’m looking at you) and how they might have conveniently forgotten the sheer challenge of this stage, only recalling the sweetness of it all. The truth is, parenting little ones can be so overwhelming that the difficulty gets overshadowed by the joy, almost as if it gets blocked out completely with time.
I remind myself that this is merely a season. I repeat—sometimes even out loud—that this chaos isn’t forever. Imagining a future where I can dress myself without tiny spectators hovering feels impossible right now, but I know that day will come. That knowledge helps me navigate today’s challenges a bit easier.
There are moments when my children’s beauty—those wide eyes filled with wonder and excitement for a new day—takes my breath away. Yet, there are also times when all I can see is the sports bra that seems to have become a headband, obstructing my view of the magic happening around me.
That’s the reality of motherhood.
If you’re navigating similar challenges, or if you’re considering starting your own family, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy for more insights. And if you’re looking for helpful tools, this blog post about home insemination kits might be beneficial, as well as this one on the Babymaker kit for your journey.
In summary, parenting young children is a whirlwind of chaos, beauty, and challenging moments that, while overwhelming, are simply a transient phase of life.
Keyphrase: Parenting small children challenges
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