One of my favorite internet memes features a dog, sipping tea while donning a whimsical hat, sitting at a kitchen table surrounded by flames. The caption reads, “This is fine.” It cracks me up because I can relate to that dog on a profound level. As a constantly tired mother of two young kids, my life often feels like a series of small disasters demanding urgent attention. I wake up to the sound of crying, and I go to bed to the same. Everything in between feels like trying to herd cats.
I’m not complaining, though. Motherhood is a choice I wholeheartedly embraced. I have always wanted to be a mom, and now I am living that dream. I love my children fiercely and am grateful for this chaotic journey. Yet, like many mothers, I find myself perpetually drained, emotionally stretched, and mentally worn thin. It’s a peculiar contradiction: my heart is full, yet I sometimes feel like I’m hanging by a thread.
How Am I Doing?
So, when someone asks how I’m doing, I find myself unsure of how to answer. What do they really want to know? The whole truth? Just the rosy details? How much can they handle?
How am I doing? Well, as a mother who has averaged four hours of sleep for the past three years, I can’t recall the last time I took a proper shower. This morning, my largest pair of jeans wouldn’t even button, and the baby had a diaper blowout in her car seat.
How am I doing? I attempted to clean that mess with a Starbucks napkin, which promptly tore. I would’ve used a wet wipe, but the last one was used to clean a massive dried booger off my purse. Yes, that’s the reality of my life—poop and boogers everywhere.
How am I doing? My husband and I are like two ships passing in the night, high-fiving each other as we juggle our little ones. By the end of the day, we collapse into bed, too exhausted to talk or be intimate. And honestly, after dealing with boogers and poop, feeling sexy is the last thing on my mind.
How am I doing? Managing a family of four is not cheap. Every morning, I’m reminded that these little humans depend on me for everything. It’s my responsibility to keep them safe, change their diapers, and even save for their college education. Just thinking about that makes my palms sweaty.
The Meaning of “Fine”
But do you really want to know how I’m doing? I’m fine.
Except “fine” has taken on a new meaning. Ask any mom, and she’ll tell you that “fine” signifies living the life we’ve always dreamed of, albeit with its challenges. It’s a privilege to care for these little souls, but the weight can sometimes feel overwhelming. “Fine” means that I occasionally look in the mirror and hardly recognize the woman staring back at me because everything has changed. But this is what I sought; this is the path I chose.
“Fine” also means that motherhood can be incredibly tough, and from an outsider’s perspective, it may appear that everything is in flames—and perhaps it is. Yet, despite the sacrifices and the trials, we are grateful.
“Fine” resonates with that whimsical dog, grinning in his hat amid chaos. This exhausting, tumultuous life is everything we ever wanted. We are exactly where we wish to be, and we are fine. This is fine.
Considering Your Own Journey?
If you’re considering your own journey into parenthood, you might find our guide on home insemination insightful. Check out this post about the Cryobaby home intracervical insemination syringe kit combo. For valuable insights on keeping the conception process personal and intimate, visit Keeping the Conception Journey Personal and Intimate for Two Mamas. Additionally, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development offers excellent resources regarding pregnancy and home insemination.
In Summary
While motherhood is a beautiful journey filled with love, it also comes with its unique challenges. Many mothers express their feelings through the word “fine,” which encapsulates both gratitude and the weight of responsibility. Embracing this chaotic yet fulfilling life is what many of us truly desire.