Do the babies grow up?
ABSOLUTELY.
My oldest is in college on the other side of the country. So I’m not a writer giving mom advice whose oldest is five. It’s really, really easy to think that one has the answers then. But, I’m telling you, until you parent a teen you cannot advise on a teen. And let me tell you, I cannot advise on motherhood beyond the age [of] 20 years 9 months. Because that’s my time.
But, listen. In those almost [21] years of motherhood, I fought myself and my need for order because I allowed the guilt of missing the moment sneak in.
Do you know what happened?
I became crabby. I became frustrated. I became overwhelmed.
So I decided — forget the guilt. And I started creating order and peace. And in that space, the real me began to emerge — the me who could laugh and enjoy the moments because I didn’t have a million things staring me down.
I am a better mom when the dishes are done.
Listen, real life is just this way. We don’t get the luxury of wrapping up life in two hours like a movie or 38 episodes of a sitcom where the staff and set crew [cleans] up the mess. You and I do it.
No more guilt. Do the dishes. Be proud. Love your kids. Savor the moment when you can. Find the balance that works for YOU and your family.
But seriously, if you need order, no guilt. That happiness matters.
Because you know what? I want my kids to see me happy.
And my happiness?
It likes a clean counter.
— Rachel
