It’s ok to just survive the day…

It’s 9:30 p.m. My kids are finally dreaming in their my bed and my eyes are quickly closing on the couch (sorry babe). My major accomplishment today is that they’ve all been fed and nobody had to make a trip to the emergency room. Success!

ok to just survive the dayFrankly, there are piles of laundry creeping up on me (especially since my toddler loves to pull ALL of the clothes out of the laundry basket), toys on the floor, and dishes that still need to be cleaned up off the table. But sleep seems so much more important at this point. Especially since I know I’ll be woken up at least once (likely twice) by at least one of my children in the night. And I know it’s all going to get destroyed again the moment my angels wake up in the morning, so I figure I might as well just leave it for tomorrow!

Does this sound familiar, mama?! I know I’m not the only one who goes days or even weeks feeling like you’re stuck in survival mode. If you have an infant, or 2 or more young children under the age of 5, it may even feel like you go months just making it through the day. Between feedings, naptimes (don’t even get me started on the joys of having both morning and afternoon nappers), playtime, diffusing tantrums, and healing booboos, (not to mention trying to squeeze in household chores, errands, and work), it can seem like the days both stretch on forever and go by so fast at the same time. For example: at the end of the day I often think “Is it STILL Tuesday? It feels like it should be Friday by now.” At the same time I often realize I’m not quite sure when I showered last (it’s been within the last couple days, right?!) or when I had adult interaction besides with my husband or via Facebook messenger.

survive the day with a helperBeing a mom is not for the faint of heart. When you become a mom you inherit a multitude of jobs: caretaker, nurse, chauffeur, cook (or champion takeout orderer), disciplinarian, court jester, etc. Especially if you’re a mom with young children. You’ve probably heard the saying “the days are long but the years are short.” It is true…the days can be LONG. You may spend your days sweeping crumbs up off the floor, chasing your toddler around trying to get them to put their diaper back on, cleaning up poo off the carpet because the aforementioned toddler refuses to wear a diaper, wiping sticky hands, walking for hours trying to get your baby to sleep, reminding your child it’s not ok to hit/bite/kick/ her sister, and on and on.

But the good news is…it gets better. Eventually your baby transitions to 1 nap and you’re finally able to make it to that morning playdate. Potty training becomes successful and your child stops having accidents on the floor. Your child becomes old enough to pick up after himself. (Not saying he’s going to be happy about it…but he can do it.) And pretty soon you’re sending her off to school, reminding him to sweep the crumbs up off the floor, chasing them from one activity to another, and reminding your child it’s not ok to fight with her sister.

The fact is that no matter what season of motherhood you’re in, life can be challenging. There are going to be good days and bad days. Sometimes it’s ok to just survive the day. And look forward to a new one.

 

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Kaitlyn Swaim
Kaitlyn is the owner of Cedar Rapids Moms Blog and is an Iowa girl who has been married to her husband, Joshua, since 2007! She’s a busy work-at-home mama to their 5 children: 3 girls and 2 boys! A true Hawkeye, she graduated from the University of Iowa with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, something that comes in handy on a daily basis while trying to raise 5 kids! Her favorite things to do include spending time with her family, cheering on the Hawkeyes, reading a good book, shopping (of course!), and checking out all the activities the Corridor has to offer!

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