Motherhood, plain and simple, is not exciting day in and day out. It’s a great deal of the same. Get up, do all the same stuff, and then go to bed. And it’s very very easy to get stuck in the monotony of the everyday motherhood norm. And, seriously, sometimes it’s easy to allow just a bit of resentment creep in because it doesn’t feel like all that sameness amounts to anything. The laundry is always behind, there are always dishes to do, and you just keep giving. Every single day.
Mom get me something to eat. Mom can I go outside? Why not, Mom? Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom.
There really isn’t a great amount of glamour in the everyday.
But, those little faces that look to you in the morning and smile when they see you aren’t looking for this crazy glamorous person to come in the room – they just want you. When you make pbjs for lunch for the third time in a week they don’t really care – they just want lunch and you took time to make it for them. Those little unglamorous moments – the wiping of noses, picking up of Matchbox cars, running in the backyard, the reading of The Berenstain Bears – all those little things are moments that will be life moments for your kids.
They’ll remember those things.
They will.
Trust me.
They do not care if your hair is in that pony tail and that you are wearing an old college t-shirt. They do not care that the markers are mixed with the crayons in the scissors box. They do not care that there is a stain on the carpet and you apologize about it every time someone comes over. They do not care that you’re late getting to the birthday party they simply care that you drove them. They do not care that the couch is old or that the laundry is rarely caught up or that their room doesn’t have the cutest accessories. They just want and need you.
Those things matter more.
They matter. They matter. They matter.
I tell it to you like that because that is what I am telling myself day in and day out. I truly am. And that is being real, because I will say it again and again and again, we need real.
So today, as I wander around my home doing the same things that I did yesterday I will remember how much being a mother matters. And you, no matter where you are in your parenting journey, you, who will probably do almost the same thing over and over and over, matters. Life is often about doing the same thing again and again and then layering those same things together to create a chapter to create your story.
That’s real life glamour.
Stained shirt, pony tail, working long hours, slapping dinner together, yet happy kids mom.
They will remember that.
That is motherhood.
*****
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16 comments
So true! I try to remember when I look at the laundry pile and the dishes in the sink yet again that I am serving my family and they need me.
This weekend has certainly not been glamorous with 2 sick kids. But I’m grateful for those moments of cuddles and smiling between coughs.
Keep up the great work!
Ah, Emily, I hope those kids get better soon. Praying for extra blessings and strength for you today!
Rachel
This was such a sweet reminder! I am about to be a first time mom and it’s so hard to not get overwhelmed thinking about everything! I need to bookmark this for a rainy day. (oh and I’m not a mom yet but I love rockin my ponytail!!)
Lovely! I love reading your blog x
I just found your blog and am in love with this post. I lost my daughter several years ago and this is exactly how I live, finding the joy every day and appreciating what we have because life is too short. Such a great post.
Thank you for that! I often feel that way and try to remind myself that they are not as concerned with everything as I am. Then my little boy asks if its a school day or a family day and cheers either way and I feel better. 🙂
My favorite part: “stained shirt, pony tail, happy kids mom”. What a real picture.
Someday I think we will miss pb&j’s three days in a row! Love your blog and all it reminds me to appreciate.
Thank you so much for posting this. Motherhood really does matter….and it’s so important to remember that when we feel underappreciated or lacking in certain things.
LOVED this one today.. thanks so much for sharing your down to earth real life stories.. it truly is what they will remember… Bless you!!!
Sometimes I feel like your peeking in my windows at some point during the day, or picking up my thoughts! Your posts always hit home for me and are an inspiration. Sometimes when I’m in the middle of those “I could lose it right now” moments, I think of you and it helps me calm down, breathe and just enjoy it…It’s nice to know there is someone going through the same things as me. Love your honesty because that is what hits home!
Lifting up prayer!
Psalms 56:3-4, 13 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me…For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
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You get me every time. How did you know I was feeling like the monotony does not matter? Sharing on the planner’s FB page, knowing it will encourage many.
Praying right now!
Psalms 4:1, 7-8 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. (7-8) Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
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Once again, wonderful heartfelt words that all mothers need to hear!
I’m so grateful to read your blog everyday. I need reminders like this. I think we all do.
From me – the last-clean-pair-of-pants-that-has-to-last-for-three-days, frizzy-hair-after-the-rushed-shower, where-did -I-put-my-keys mother.
(Nice to know kids don’t care about glamour). 😀
I loved this post…you put my heart into words!!! I’m a new mommy so it’s comforting to know I’m on the right track with all these feelings that surround my days:)