16 Simple Ways I Romanticize Full-Time Motherhood
My mother-in-law, who was a full-time mom of six, often says, “If I could have had kids forever, I would have.” Now, I love this woman to no end. Truly, I hit the lottery with my in-laws (every one of them), but I was baffled that anyone would say that. When I became a mom, I didn’t understand why I wasn’t enjoying it more. And, two years later, when I had my second and became a full-time mom, I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t enjoying full-time motherhood. I felt like I was missing some sort of inside secret that keeps every mom happy.
Then I started thinking about motherhood as though it’s a career, and so much of it made sense. Everyone has their thing, right? That’s what makes the world make sense. Your brother might be interested in video game design, your mom interior design, and your best friend may be killing it as a lawyer. We are all different, so why are us moms so hard on ourselves when we aren’t enjoying it the same way as the woman next door?
The more I thought about this business concept, the more at ease I became. Motherhood is like a business. We call the shots. And, if I know that I’m a good mom on my own terms, and if I trust my own terms (which I do), then what does it matter that Suzy doesn’t own a TV, or Ashley on Instagram is baking with her children every day. These things don’t mean that I’m a bad mom!
1. Opening the blinds first thing in the morning.
The entire mood of a home changes with natural light. Apparently, so does mine.
2. Wearing outfits I actually like at home.
Not every day deserves a stained sweatshirt from 2014.
3. Treating weekday breakfasts like tiny family rituals.
Even if it’s just eggs, toast and Bluey.
4. Playing music constantly.
Bird sounds in the morning, Disney or Simple Songs throughout the day, and early 2000s pop while cleaning the kitchen in the afternoons.
5. Taking the kids outside even when it feels inconvenient (which is almost always).
It’s true what they say, mood does improve if you’re outside or in the bath.
6. Buying flowers from the grocery store just because.
It feels like such a tiny rebellion against emotional survival mode.
7. Slowing down everything.
I’m done dragging them with me through every activity like we are late for a corporate business meeting.
8. Recording seemingly ordinary moments.
I’m not just taking pictures, I now have notebooks documenting funny sentences and mispronounced words.
9. Making soup when it rains.
I don’t make the rules.
10. Reading physical books instead of scrolling or listening to audio books.
Let’s be real here, I don’t need more opportunities to be overstimulated.
11. Sitting on the floor more often with the kids.
Not multitasking or cleaning while half-listening, now I’m actually entering their world for a minute.
12. Dressing my kids in outfits that remind me of how fast this goes.
The tutus, glow-in-the-dark shirts, light up shoes, and even styling their hair. Gets me every time.
13. Treating errands like field trips.
Coffee stop included, obviously.
14. Building small traditions on purpose.
Saturday waffles, movie nights, birthday interview videos.
15. Remembering this version of me deserves documentation too.
Not just the “successful” or thinner or less exhausted version.
16. Remembering that I’m allowed to exist inside motherhood.
Not just manage it, not just survive it, not just perform it well enough for everyone else. Actually exist inside of it.
The gist of it is that we need to stop forgetting that we call the shots, not Instagram, not the full time mom down the street. And hopefully, in knowing that, we can give ourselves the grace that we truly deserve.
See you,
Amy