It’s 5 p.m., and I’m in the middle of preparing dinner. An eruption of squabbles from the twins has transformed into a cacophony of tears and screeches, while my 3-year-old yells from the bathroom about another accident on the floor. Meanwhile, my partner, Lucas, is calling from his commute home, casually asking, “How was your day?”
Answering this simple question feels almost impossible.
I have a profound affection for my role as a stay-at-home and work-at-home mom, but it’s also a source of frustration. Each morning unfolds with a whirlwind of highs and lows, almost like a chaotic sequence of events in a sitcom: “Good morning, my sweet little girls!” quickly spirals into “Why can’t you help me? I need assistance, not complaints!”
The morning routine with my 5-year-old twins and a 3-year-old is akin to a merry-go-round spinning wildly out of control. Lucas leaves before they even wake up, leaving me to juggle everything: lunch boxes, hair clips, and toothpaste, all while trying to keep my sanity intact. Even after we finally manage to leave the house, there’s always one who refuses to carry her backpack, another who delivers unsolicited kicks, and yet another who ends up with a nosebleed—all before we’ve even reached the car.
Currently, my children attend school only two days a week, but those days are a bittersweet relief. After I drop them off, returning to a tranquil home is blissful. Despite the mountain of work, meal prep, and endless cleaning tasks awaiting me, at least I can enjoy the silence or blast some music—perhaps a tune or two from Ben Folds.
However, just as quickly as the calm arrives, it’s time to pick them up. Their joyful faces as they run or beam at me when I walk through the door fill my heart with warmth. We share hugs, and they tell me about their day, but this joy often fades the moment we’re back in the car, where the squabbling resumes.
Upon arriving home, the after-school chaos commences anew: cranky kids, muddy shoes, and overflowing backpacks invade my space. My mind races with the tasks left to accomplish before bedtime: snacks, cleanup, answering a barrage of questions, breaking up fights, searching for a lost puzzle piece, cooking dinner, and cleaning up again. The merry-go-round has started spinning once more.
“I need you to go play in the other room while I finish dinner.”
“I have no idea where that tiny Hello Kitty bow is; it’s probably lost in the couch cushions.”
“We don’t hit! No more fighting!”
So how do I respond to Lucas’s question about my day?
This moment is chaotic, yet there were beautiful moments earlier. Was it a good day? A bad day? How do I succinctly communicate to my hardworking partner that I felt grateful to witness our kids’ smiles when I picked them up, yet also resentful of being the one managing the morning and evening routines?
How do I express that while I was in awe of their growth and the intricacies of their thoughts, I also felt on the brink of losing my mind due to their stubbornness and bickering?
Every day encapsulates a mixture of exhausting and wonderful experiences. Some days are filled with laughter, while others seem devoid of humor. Most days begin and end with both joy and frustration, culminating in a glass of wine and an aching back.
The core issue for me lies in the emotional roller coaster that accompanies my journey as a stay-at-home mom. I oscillate between feeling fortunate and fulfilled to moments of discontent, where I contemplate other paths.
Yet, this is the life I’ve chosen. At the end of each day, when the merry-go-round grows still, I whisper goodnight to my children, reminding them how much I love them. In the grand scheme, despite the challenges, I recognize our fortune—our health, our home, our time together. Ultimately, it was a good day.
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Summary
Navigating the complexities of motherhood often leaves me unable to succinctly describe my day to my partner. Each day is a whirlwind of emotions filled with both joys and challenges, making it difficult to articulate my experiences. Ultimately, while the chaos can be overwhelming, I cherish the precious moments with my children and recognize the value of our family life.
Keyphrase: “stay-at-home mom daily challenges”
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