There’s no such thing as a “normal” morning in my household once my four energetic kids wake up, full of enthusiasm. Mornings here are a whirlwind of snuggles, tears, coffee refills, juice spills, and endless laughter. Unfortunately, my little ones rarely give me a heads-up about how the day will unfold.
I know that in the future, when I reflect back on these fleeting moments with my children, my heart will be full. I can already imagine how much I will miss these days—when pancakes adorned with colorful sprinkles earn me the title of “best mom ever,” and cozying up in our pajamas on the couch makes me even more beloved.
However, when I’m in the thick of it, living these moments day by day, or even minute by minute, it doesn’t always feel quite so magical. I often find myself frustrated, flipping through what feels like an endless array of cartoons, only to have one of my kids throw a tantrum over the chosen show (sorry, kid—majority rules in this house).
I crave a hot cup of coffee, but there are four little voices demanding their apple juice right away. And even though I want to savor those cuddly moments, sometimes I have a mountain of work to tackle. So, I pull myself away from the chaos, detach the little ones from my legs, and start my day weighed down by the familiar burden of mom guilt.
I suppose I’m not alone; like many other mothers, I find it challenging to carve out time for myself amid the demands of family life. “I need a break” is a phrase that pops into my head before I even start planning lunch. We all deserve that break, but for many, achieving even brief moments of solitude requires reshuffling our schedules or comes at a personal cost.
Some moms binge-watch reality TV until the early hours, indulging in ice cream without a second thought. Those are my kind of people! Unfortunately, I can’t handle staying up late without turning into a grumpy version of myself by morning.
To keep the peace in my household, I choose to wake up early and enjoy some solo time. Instead of juggling pancakes while toddlers cling to my legs, I can cook while listening to a podcast or humming along to my favorite song. I get to relish a long, hot, uninterrupted shower without kids barging in and pulling back the curtain. I even manage to prepare healthy lunches for my kids (go me!).
Yet, what I value most about those early hours is the freedom to simply exist. I can relax, meditate, and savor the sunrise on my porch, my hands wrapped around my favorite mug. We all need those moments of mindfulness to help us gear up for another hectic day of motherhood.
The truth is, we must take the initiative to find these moments. No matter how supportive our partners are or how many willing hands are around, no one can prioritize our well-being but ourselves. It’s not always easy, but the most fulfilling things in life rarely come without effort.
Each morning, I contemplate hitting the snooze button on my alarm clock (the real one, not the kids). It takes commitment, a little bribery, and the promise of coffee to maintain this routine. I must admit that there are days when I do hit that snooze button—rest is necessary. However, if I linger in that habit for too long, I can feel myself slipping mentally.
When I skip my morning routine, I’m not as happy, I often wear the same sweatpants for days, and I struggle to remember the last time I took a shower. With our busy schedules, finding time for ourselves is crucial, and it doesn’t happen unless we make it happen.
So, I rise before the birds start chirping, tiptoe around the stairs near my kids’ rooms, brew my coffee, and carve out time to focus on my own needs. Yes, I sacrifice sleep, but by waking up early, I allow myself to start each day with a full cup.
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In summary, waking up early may seem like a daunting task, but it offers invaluable moments of peace and personal time that can set a positive tone for the rest of the day. Embracing this routine can help mothers reclaim their sense of self amidst the chaos of family life.