I often daydream about mornings filled with the soothing sounds of birds singing and the gentle glow of the sunrise. I wish I could carve out time to whip up a wholesome breakfast for my kids and actually enjoy it together while wearing a lovely silk kimono, sipping herbal tea, surrounded by bowls of fresh fruit and granola.
I’d trade nearly anything to get my children ready for school without feeling as if I’ve just sprinted a marathon. The reality is that our morning routine, no matter how meticulously I plan the night before, often drives me to the edge of my sanity.
Even if I manage to pack the lunches the previous evening, neatly lined up from oldest to youngest, there’s always a hiccup. Someone will inevitably wave a forgotten permission slip—due three days ago—in my face just as I’m trying to apply mascara. If I do manage to get all the paperwork signed and tucked into their binders, my daughter will then declare that she can only wear the dirty jeans because “OMG, Mom, nothing else matches with these shoes!” Cue the meltdown.
Assuming I finally get everyone dressed and out the door, my youngest might accidentally let the dog out, who then runs off to rummage through the neighbor’s trash. Meanwhile, my oldest is in a battle with his hair, and I suddenly recall that I was supposed to send in two dozen cupcakes for the school read-a-thon—cupcakes that, of course, do not exist in my kitchen.
Every morning feels like a frazzled whirlwind, and my disheveled face, often sporting mascara on only one eye, is usually the last thing my kids see as they head off for the day. My hurried “I love you. Have a great day, but let’s aim for a smoother morning tomorrow” is the last thing they hear. As they walk away, I roll down the window for one final “I love you so much,” because I genuinely do. My children are my entire world, and the guilt of watching them walk away after a chaotic morning often brings me to the brink of tears over my half-eaten toast.
I worry that this sets a negative tone for their day, just as it does for mine. I often find myself lost in thoughts about how to improve our mornings, how to be more organized, and how to send them off without resorting to threats about screen time and sweet treats. I eagerly await their return home so I can make amends and alleviate my guilt.
When they return from school, I embrace them tightly and ask about their day. I often find myself giving them an extra cookie because of that guilt, pouring all my energy into preparing for the next morning. Then, of course, the evening chaos begins. They start bickering, ignore my requests to help with dinner or laundry, and somehow manage to leave their shoes in the middle of the floor, causing me to trip. After asking multiple times, the dog is still not taken out and ends up having an accident indoors.
Before long, I find myself overwhelmed again, as parenting can feel like an unending uphill battle. Kids require constant reminders for daily tasks, and they aren’t burdened with the same guilt that mothers often feel when things don’t go as planned.
During dinnertime, when I ask them about their favorite part of the day, they might say something like, “When you tripped over my shoes,” or “When I waved my permission slip in your face, and it got stuck to your lip gloss!” The table erupts in laughter. When I apologize for seeming stressed in the mornings and express my desire to improve, they look at me blankly. “You were stressed?” my oldest asks, genuinely surprised.
In my mind, I’m setting the tone for their day and worrying I’m jeopardizing their education and emotional well-being by not creating a serene breakfast experience surrounded by nature sounds. But for them, I’m merely providing comic relief, and guess what? They still love me, even in my messy moments.
For more on parenting tips and insights, check out this article, an authority on the topic. If you’re interested in family planning, you might also find this resource helpful, along with this guide from the CDC.
Summary
Mornings can often feel overwhelming for parents, filled with chaos and a sense of guilt when things don’t go as planned. Despite the stress, many parents find that their children view these moments differently, often finding humor in the chaos rather than stress. Parenting is a journey filled with ups and downs, and navigating the morning routine can be particularly challenging.