It’s 5 p.m., and I’m in the kitchen preparing dinner. The twins are in the midst of a full-blown argument, complete with tears and screeching threats. Meanwhile, my 3-year-old chimes in from the bathroom, announcing that she’s made quite the mess—again. And just then, my partner calls on his way home from work, asking, “How was your day?”
Honestly, there isn’t a simple way to respond.
As a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom, my days are a mix of joy and frustration. Each morning begins with a whirlwind of contrasting moments, from sweet exchanges to chaotic demands. “Good morning, my lovely girls!” I greet them, only to be met with complaints and resistance. “Can you please help me? I need support, not whining!” The morning routine is a dizzying ride, akin to a merry-go-round spinning too fast—one that I’m desperately trying to control while juggling lunch boxes, coats, and shoes. By the time we finally leave the house, there’s always someone refusing to carry their backpack, another who kicks a sibling for no reason, and a third getting a nosebleed all over her car seat.
Currently, my little ones are only in school two days a week, but those days feel like a breath of fresh air. After dropping them off, returning to a quiet home is blissful. Despite the looming piles of work, meals to prepare (seriously, how do they eat so much?), and an endless cleaning list, I relish the option of blasting music or simply enjoying the silence. But in the blink of an eye, it’s time to pick them up again, and the calm is replaced with excited chaos. They run to me with huge smiles, which I soak in, only for it to quickly spiral back into squabbles about seat belts and silly arguments on the ride home.
Once inside our house, the after-school whirlwind begins—cranky kids, muddy shoes, and backpacks overflowing with papers. My mind races through the tasks awaiting me before bedtime: snacks need to be served, questions must be answered, fights need to be quelled, and dinner has to be prepared. It feels like the merry-go-round has started spinning again.
“Please go play in the other room while I cook,” I tell the kids. “I have no idea where Hello Kitty’s hair bow is—it’s tiny! I’m sure you’ll find it somewhere.” “No hitting!” I remind them as the noise level rises.
So how do I summarize my day when asked?
Right now, it feels overwhelmingly chaotic, yet there were bright moments earlier. Was it a good day or a bad day? How can I convey to my hardworking partner that while I cherished seeing our children’s smiles when I picked them up from school, I also felt the weight of managing the whirlwind of our daily routine, especially before and after school? How do I express that amidst laughter and sweet moments, their stubbornness and bickering can sometimes drive me up the wall?
Each day is a rollercoaster of exhaustion and joy. Some days are filled with laughter, while others make it hard to find the humor. Most days begin with a mix of smiles and frowns and end with me nursing an aching back and sipping a glass of wine.
The real struggle lies in my conflicting feelings about being a stay-at-home mom. There are moments of gratitude and contentment, but there are also times when I feel overwhelmed and consider different paths. Yet, for now, this is the life we’ve chosen. At the end of each day, when the merry-go-round slows, I tuck my children in and whisper, “Goodnight, my sweet girls. I love you. It was a good day.” Despite the challenges, I know we are fortunate to have each other, our health, and a home. Ultimately, it was indeed a good day.
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Summary
This article explores the complexities of a stay-at-home mom’s daily life, capturing the chaotic and rewarding moments that define motherhood. It highlights the struggle to articulate the day’s challenges and joys when asked about one’s day, ultimately reinforcing the value of family and gratitude.