It’s the dreaded witching hour of the day with the children. I reach for the frozen pizza, hot dog, or boxed mac and cheese. I put it all on a plate and call it a day. Maybe I decide to fancy it up with an apple or some strawberries, or maybe I don’t.
I will not be taking a picture of this dinner to share on social media, but in the end, the kids were fed.
What day of the week is it anyway?
We are now on month 500 of this pandemic, and I feel like I have aged ten years in the last ten months. I’ve watched every Netflix show and taste-tested every hard seltzer out there! I’ve made unnecessary Amazon purchases out of boredom. I’ve done Zoom calls with my children yelling in the background while wearing a work-appropriate shirt with sweatpants. Like most parents, I have done everything possible to keep any remaining sanity intact.
Through all of this, I’m mainly just tired, unmotivated, and uninspired.
I’m not motivated to make cute, Instagram-worthy plates of food for my kids. I have no desire to start those Pinterest-inspired home projects. On the weekends, I’m lucky if I change out of my nighttime pajamas to my daytime pajamas.
I’ve reached the point where I’ve started to accept all of this while trying to give myself some grace instead of feeling guilty about it. I struggle with letting go of the Facebook idea of what a mom who has her act together looks like, but I’m working on it! Making progress with this has really lightened the “mom guilt” load. I’m happier, which makes my kids happier.
Messy Hair, Don’t Care.
I will be ordering takeout or serving my family cereal for dinner. I will be picking up grocery store cupcakes and pre-made Easter treats to send to school parties. You will likely see me doing this with messy hair, comfy sweats, and questionably-dressed children in tow. But just know, I’m okay with it!
We made it through 2020 and can only hope that 2021 will be the light at the end of the tunnel. Until we reach that point, I just don’t always have the mental space to always be “extra”, and I’m working on being okay with that!
