As mothers, we inevitably surrender many of the comforts we once took for granted. The tranquil Sundays spent in loungewear, savoring coffee and getting lost in books are a distant memory. The leisurely brunches with friends, where the only concern was the next mimosa refill, have been replaced by frantic messages like, “If our child fell and needed stitches, what would you do?” or “Where are the Band-Aids?” The instant we take on the role of a mom, the blissful, self-centered moments of our lives vanish—except for our showers. Yes, those precious 15 minutes of solitude for both body and mind still hold a place in our hectic lives.
Let’s reflect on what a shower looked like before kids:
- Turn on the hot water while analyzing your skin in the mirror.
- Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the shower—wait, eucalyptus feels more right today.
- Disrobe and glance at your naked body, wishing it were different (if only you knew then!).
- Step into the shower.
- Begin with foot care, using a homemade peppermint foot scrub to exfoliate every last bit of dead skin.
- Next, lather up—using a loofah for most areas, but reaching for an exfoliating glove for the backs of your arms, which need extra attention.
- On to the hair! Shampoo twice: once with purple shampoo to maintain that perfect blonde, then with a hydrating color-lock formula. Rinse, lather, and repeat.
- Apply conditioner, allowing it to sit for a minimum of seven minutes.
- Shave every inch—yes, even that tiny fuzz on your big toe. Nobody wants to be caught off-guard.
- Indulge in a deep-clean facial steam. Start with a cleanser, use a Clarisonic, follow with an exfoliating scrub, and finish with a hydrating masque.
- Step out of the shower.
- You’ll need two towels: one for your hair, perfectly wrapped, and another for your body.
- Towel off, but don’t dry completely! Apply body cream while still slightly damp.
- Moisturize from head to toe, starting with your face—eye cream, serum, hydrating cream, and sunscreen. Then move on to your body with bikini line serum, foot cream, coconut oil, and bronzing lotion. End with your hair, using color seal serum, styling cream, and a light-scented split-end oil.
- Finally, slip into the cozy robe your partner warmed up for you while you showered.
Now, let’s compare that to showers after kids:
- Quietly sneak into the bathroom after finally getting your baby to nap.
- Step into the shower, only to find the water is ice-cold. You don’t have the luxury of time, so press on.
- Bring your toothbrush into the shower, brushing while simultaneously pumping soap into your palm.
- Realize the soap is all gone and resort to using shampoo instead.
- Wash whatever part of your body you can reach while continuing to brush your teeth.
- Finally, the water warms up!
- Finish up, turn off the water, and exit the shower.
- Quickly grab a wet towel from the floor, previously used by your partner, and dry off.
- Slip into yesterday’s yoga pants and a t-shirt!
So, the next time you find yourself behind a perfectly polished, childless woman in line, remember who you once were. Smile, knowing that being a mom is far more fulfilling than any corporate title. One day, she too may wonder how she transitioned from designer heels to “Oh no, I’m still in slippers!”
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In summary, while motherhood may come with sacrifices, the joyful chaos and growth it brings are incomparable to anything else.