When I envisioned my future as a new mom, I thought I would effortlessly juggle responsibilities—perhaps with my baby nestled on my hip while I tackled household chores, managed finances, and engaged in stimulating conversations with my partner. I assumed my life would continue as it always had, just with my adorable baby in tow.
Oh, how wrong I was. The reality of those early parenting days was a far cry from my idealistic dreams. My little ones didn’t magically fit into my routine; instead, they were demanding, cried frequently, and needed my constant attention. In those first few months, even putting them down for a nap was a challenge.
Life as I knew it was completely upended. While my children brought immeasurable joy and love, everything else changed dramatically. Now that my kids are older, I can tackle many tasks I once struggled with, but I want to assure new moms that feeling overwhelmed is completely normal.
Having a baby means your life will undergo a significant transformation, and there will be moments when it feels like nothing is getting accomplished. Here are some common struggles you may relate to:
- Eating with Two Hands
I must’ve attempted to enjoy over 700 meals with a baby perched on my lap—none of us emerging unscathed. Every meal ended with at least one of us covered in crumbs. - Exiting Your Home without a Two-Hour Preparation
In hindsight, it seems ludicrous; I didn’t have that much stuff to organize, yet leaving the house was an epic saga. Of course, just as I was about to leave, the baby would always decide to have a diaper explosion. - Completing a Thought
Forget about articulating coherent sentences (believe me, the words that did come out were often nonsensical). I struggled to follow my own train of thought. The phenomenon known as “mom brain” is very real. - Taking Care of Your Hygiene
I used to pride myself on daily showers, but with a newborn, I was often covered in spit-up, breast milk, and who knows what else. The postpartum sweats were a surprise; a baby wipe became my best friend for a while. - Cleaning Anything
I’d make an attempt to wipe down half the kitchen counter before the baby needed to nurse. I’m not one for clutter, yet it would take me a full week to clean my tiny apartment. By the time I finished, it was time to start over again. - Making Phone Calls
Some family members were understandably frustrated when I didn’t return their calls. But when you have a new baby, phone conversations are often at the very bottom of your priority list. - Reading a Book or Watching a Show
I used to devour novels, but after my first child was born, I didn’t read one for four years. And binge-watching a 30-minute show? That would take multiple nights to complete with a newborn around. - Keeping Track of Days
In those early weeks, I had little idea of what day it was. I remember walking out the door for the first time post-baby and feeling like I had missed an entire season; my son was born in winter, but it felt like spring when I finally stepped outside.
Part of the reason accomplishing anything seems impossible is that you hardly get any sleep (and let’s be real, “sleep when the baby sleeps” is often just not feasible). You find yourself spending countless hours just gazing into your baby’s eyes. Yes, it’s a time sink, but there are no regrets—especially as they grow so fast that I sometimes only get a fleeting kiss on the cheek.
So hang in there, vent if you need to, and remember to find moments of laughter amid the chaos. They won’t stay this little forever, and soon enough, you’ll be able to string together sentences without simultaneously dealing with baby-induced chaos. For more insights on parenting and helpful resources, check out this excellent guide on pregnancy or explore our tips on fertility boosters for men.