Moms, I Know Why You're Exhausted

I know why you are exhausted. Its because you are giving. Its because you are cleaning. Its because you are watching. Its because you are working.

You pour your coffee every morning knowing youll probably never get to finish it without microwaving it five times. Someone needs you, wants you, or is talking to you. Always.

You are inevitably pulled in several different directions as the sun slowly wakes from her slumber

Sometimes you get up early in the darkness just to take a hot shower or drink your coffee in peace. Sometimes you stay up way too late just so you can take a quiet breath.

I know why you are exhausted. Its because you are worrying. Its because you are questioning. Its because you are confused. Its because you are learning.

You struggle to get everyone to where they need to be on time. You often rush around like a maniac and then wonder what its all for.

You scold others for not doing as they were told. You sometimes cry in utter frustration, because no one seems to be listening. You feel like you explain the same thing over a thousand times over.

You keep trying to do what you think is the best thing. You step up to the plate, again and again, to give it another shot.

I know why you are exhausted. Its because you are negotiating. Its because you are planning. Its because you are arguing. Its because you are yelling.

You wake up every day telling yourself youll be calm. You tell yourself wont lose your sh*t or yell and scream. You tell yourself youll meditate or do yoga find your zen.

But you dont. You get busy. You have to go somewhere be somewhere. You get distracted. You get frustrated. You yell.

You sometimes compare yourself to other moms thinking youve lost the race. You think youve lost the race of whos the calmest, the most organized, or the most energetic.

But all the other moms are running their own race in their minds. They have their own battles, worries and torrential fears of failure. The other moms are exhausted too, even the ones who look flawless. Appearances can be utterly deceiving.

I know why you are exhausted. Its because you are comparing. Its because you are self-defeating. Its because youre having a bad week, day, hour, or moment.

You are a mom. You are everything to everyone. You get tired as you should. You get scared as you should. You get frustrated as you should. Being a mom is not for the faint-hearted.

Youre not failing because you are exhausted.

Youre exhausted because you revolve your life around your family by planning, supporting, working, cleaning, driving, helping, hugging, kissing, mending, and bending over backward to adapt to every change, every challenge, and every choice.

You are a mom. A glorious, messy, smart, frazzled, wondrous, confused, determined mom.

More from Michelle: 3 Ways To Manage Conflicting Parenting Styles With Your Partner

You can visit Michelle at her blog, The Pondering Nook discussing relationships, marriage, divorce, parenting, step-parenting &more! You can also catch Michelle co-hosting at The Broads Way Podcast . Feel free to follow The Pondering Nook on Facebook, Pinterest , Instagram & Twitter.