37 Reasons I’m Struggling to Embrace the Moment

At home insemination

Motherhood can be a challenging journey, and I often find myself venting about the ups and downs. Without fail, someone will chime in with the same well-meaning advice: “Enjoy every moment before it’s gone. Live in the now. Fully embrace it.” While I know this advice is solid gold and completely true, it often makes me want to lash out. Not because it’s bad advice—far from it—but because, in that moment, I simply can’t muster the energy to embrace every second as I know I should.

Here’s a candid list of 37 reasons why I’m struggling to embrace the moment:

1. I’m so exhausted I once told someone I had a daughter when in reality, my baby is a boy. Yeah. I’m that tired.
2. It’s hard to be truly present when I’m fueled by sugary, calorie-laden iced coffees that are more about survival than sanity.
3. There’s a specific time each day when I feel like I might collapse from fatigue, but then I spot the drive-through coffee place, and suddenly, I find the strength to carry on.
4. Yet, I can’t help but think I’ll never shed these extra 30 pounds if I keep indulging. But hey, survival comes first.
5. Speaking of indulgences, I’m pretty sure there’s baby poop lurking beneath my pinky nail.
6. I made eggs for breakfast, but my toddler insists, “I only eat eggs on TUESDAYS!” Cue the meltdown that lasts longer than my patience.
7. It’s so hot outside that wearing a quality nursing bra is unbearable, yet the cheap one I prefer caused a clogged duct. So my options? Uncomfortable and itchy or wet and milky.
8. Basically, it’s a lose-lose situation (Embrace that, right?).
9. I’m diligently taking my placenta pills, but some mornings I wake up wondering if I’ve completely ruined my life.
10. My toddler just decided to pee on the pool deck. Fantastic.
11. Sometimes, my older kids bicker over the most trivial things, and I end up packing everyone up to escape the noise.
12. Then, when we arrive at the park, they sit beside me and complain about the heat.
13. Meanwhile, I’m dealing with itchy breasts.
14. I often find myself saying something unkind like, “GO AWAY NOW,” only to feel guilty afterward because I know I should cherish these moments.
15. Just a little while ago, I embraced motherhood. Now, I just want to sit and play a game on my phone, reminiscing about my carefree youth.
16. There are so many demands on my time that your voice becomes just another noise in the chaos, making it hard to focus on anything truly important.
17. And when you tell me to “embrace the moment,” I feel guilty for not fully immersing myself in it, which makes it even harder to do so.
18. Now I’m consumed with thoughts about how my tween will be an adult in six years, and instead of savoring the present, I’m mourning the time that’s slipped away.
19. Money is a constant worry, especially when it feels like there’s never enough.
20. I’m wondering how I’ll write that article due tonight when my baby thinks nursing is the only acceptable activity.
21. Sometimes, I find myself crying over nothing, and my kids are left to wonder why.
22. I mentally note never to watch heartwarming rescue videos again.
23. It’s 4 p.m., and I suddenly realize everyone needs to eat—again. Why are kids so insatiable?
24. The dog escaped through a broken fence, and now I’m reminded I need to fix that. Sorry, pup! (Don’t worry, we found him.)
25. I am embracing motherhood, just not right now. Why is that a problem?
26. Not every job is sunshine and rainbows, right? So why should motherhood be any different?
27. I stayed up late writing, only to be woken at 3 a.m. by a baby who doesn’t want to sleep.
28. It’s hard to embrace the moment when your head is pounding, your eyes are heavy, and you’re trapped under a fussy newborn.
29. I’m up at 5 a.m. trying to soothe my baby while he’s wide awake.
30. I’m worrying that he has whooping cough, which sends me straight to Google.
31. Oh great, the toddler is now awake for her early morning snuggles.
32. My kitchen smells like a combination of mildew and vomit.
33. My voicemail is almost full, and I can’t stand it. Just text me, please!
34. I have dozens of flagged emails waiting for attention while my auto-responder still says, “Just had a baby.”
35. My kids are eating mac and cheese again, and I worry about the effects of processed foods.
36. We need to make a trip to Costco, but I’m just too tired.
37. My life feels like a whirlwind, with kids everywhere and chaos never-ending.

Eventually, I surrender, plopping down in a chair to watch some reruns of 30 Rock. For a brief moment, laughter fills the air as my baby tries to nurse a toy. My daughter beams with pride after her swimming lesson, and the dog joyfully splashes in the kiddie pool. I catch a glimpse of happiness, even if it only lasts for a second.

So, there you have it—37 reasons I’m not fully embracing the moment, alongside a few that keep me pushing forward.

Please stop telling me to embrace every single moment. I am doing my best, as is every other mother out there. And besides, I embraced the moment yesterday, didn’t I?

For additional insights into home insemination, check out this link and learn more about essential medical terms at this website. If you’re seeking more resources on pregnancy and home insemination, visit this excellent blog as well.

Summary:

The article candidly lists 37 reasons why the author struggles to embrace motherhood in every moment, ranging from exhaustion and financial stress to the chaos of daily life. While recognizing the importance of enjoying the journey, the author highlights the realities of parenting that make it difficult to fully engage in the present. Ultimately, she calls for empathy and understanding rather than pressure to constantly “embrace the moment.”