In my head, I am THAT mom. You guys know what I mean… you know THAT mom!
She wakes up before everyone else, drinks her coffee while it’s still hot, maybe reads a devotional, maybe stretches… maybe even works out (?? who approved this version of me). Her house is clean, her kids are dressed in matching outfits, lunches are packed the night before, and breakfast is something warm and nutritious…not just vibes and dry cereal (because the milk is probably expired…)
She is calm. She is patient. She does not raise her voice. And she most definitely does not say things like, “If you don’t get your shoes on right now, I’m leaving without you,” at 7:42 a.m.
In my head, I am her.
In real life… I am not.
In real life, I wake up already behind because I hit snooze just enough times to turn the morning into a full-blown survival situation. Ugh! I am literally my own worst enemy!
Coffee? Reheated – Twice. Maybe three times if I’m feeling ambitious.
Hair? Dry shampoo and confidence.
Outfit? If it’s clean and I didn’t have to smell-check it twice, we’re calling it a win.
And my kids? Oh, they woke up ready to argue.
Someone can’t find their shoes. Someone suddenly hates everything they own. Someone needs something signed, paid for, baked, or magically remembered something that they forgot to mention until we are literally backing out of the driveway.
And that calm, put-together mom from my imagination?
She disappears somewhere between:
“Where is your backpack?” and “WHY are you brushing your teeth right now…we are already late???”
I always think I’m going to be more organized than I am.
Like I’ll be the mom who packs cute lunches with silly notes, remembers every single event, never forgets picture day, responds to emails, volunteers with the PTO AND absolutely does NOT have to circle back through the school drop-off because someone forgot something (again)!
But the truth is… most days, I’m just trying to keep everyone fed, dressed and heading in the general direction of where they’re supposed to be. And honestly? That version of me might not be as polished -but she’s real. (Sometimes TOO real!)
She laughs when things fall apart (to keep from crying). She improvises dinner like she’s on a low-budget cooking show. But most importantly she shows up… even if it’s five minutes late with a messy bun and a half-drunk coffee in her hand.
And maybe that’s the version my kids will remember.
Not the perfectly put-together one I picture in my head… but the one who was a little chaotic, a little tired, and running five minutes behind… BUT ALWAYS THERE!
Because at the end of the day, I may not be the mom I imagined… but I’m the mom who shows up… and some days, that deserves a standing ovation (or at least finishing my coffee while it’s still warm).
(Paige Gurgainers is a mom of three girls, digital journalist for Webster Parish Journal.)