Okay, mamas, let’s get real. We all know the image of the supermom: cape billowing in the wind, effortlessly juggling work, kids, household, and somehow still managing to look like she slept more than three hours. Yeah, well, let me tell you a secret: that’s a myth.
And if anyone tells you they’re rocking that 24/7, they’re either lying or hopped up on something really strong. Because sometimes, even supermom needs a cape-less day. Sometimes, supermom needs a break. And sometimes, supermom… well, sometimes she just wants to hide in the pantry with a bag of chocolate chips and pretend she doesn’t hear the tiny humans yelling for snacks (don’t judge).
Running Into The Chaos
This week? This week has been that week. The kind of week where the universe decided to play a cruel joke and unleash a plague upon my household. It started innocently enough. Baby Jack, my sweet little two-year-old tornado, came down with what we thought was just a cold. Fast forward 24 hours and we’re in the ER at 2 AM with a croup cough so terrifying it made my heart stop. Five days. Five long, fever-ridden, snot-soaked, sleep-deprived days of 104+ temperatures, breathing treatments, and round-the-clock cuddles. Let me tell you, if I never hear the sound of a nebulizer again, it’ll be too soon.
Chewed Up By The Chaos
Now, you’d think that would be enough, right? One kid down, the others miraculously spared, we could start to climb out of the trenches. Nope. Because just as Jack was starting to turn a corner, my amazing partner in crime, Papi, my rock, got hit. Boom.
Influenza B. Just like that. Suddenly, I was solo mom of five boys, ages 2 to 11, for four days. Four days of refereeing sibling squabbles, managing medication schedules, cooking (or, let’s be honest, microwaving) meals, letting the kids eat dinner on the living floor in front of the TV and trying to keep the house from looking like a bomb had gone off. And Papi? He’s still not 100%. Bless his heart.
And then, because apparently the universe wasn’t done with me yet, this morning I woke up to find Mateo, my sweet six-year-old, burning up with a 103 fever. So, here I am, folks. Surrounded by sick kids, running a consulting business, trying to keep up with content for this very blog (ironic, isn’t it?), and feeling like I’m running on fumes. Oh, and did I mention the laundry pile that’s currently mocking me from the corner of the living room? Yeah, that’s there too.
Survival Mode: Engaged
I know I’m not alone in this. Every mom has been there. The feeling of being stretched too thin, of trying to be everything to everyone, of feeling like you’re constantly failing at something. We’re told we can “have it all,” but what they don’t tell you is that “all” comes with a hefty price tag of exhaustion, guilt, and the occasional (or frequent) desire to run away to a tropical island and never look back.
The truth is, motherhood is messy. It’s beautiful, and rewarding, and the most incredible thing I’ve ever done. But it’s also messy, and chaotic, and sometimes downright brutal. And in those moments, when you feel like you’re drowning, it’s okay to admit that you’re not okay. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to take a break. And it’s definitely okay to let the laundry pile grow a little higher and order takeout for the third night in a row.
Because here’s the thing: we’re not superheroes. We’re moms. We’re human. And we are totally doing the best we can with what we have because sometimes, the best we can do is just survive. And that’s okay.
You’ve Got This!
So, to all the mamas out there, juggling all the things, feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders, I see you. I feel you. You are amazing. You are strong. Gosh, you are doing an incredible job. Even on the days when you feel like you’re failing, you’re not. You’re loving your kids, you’re showing up for your family, and that’s what matters.
And if you need a reminder, here it is: you are enough. You are worthy. You are loved. And it’s okay to not be perfect. It’s okay to have a meltdown. It’s okay to need a break. In fact, it’s more than okay. It’s necessary.
So, take a deep breath, mama. Pour yourself a glass of wine (or a cup of tea, whatever floats your boat). Put on your favorite pajamas. And remember, even supermom needs a cape-less day. And sometimes, the most heroic thing you can do is take care of yourself.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I hear a little voice calling for “Mommy!” Wish me luck. And please, send reinforcements… and maybe some hand sanitizer. Lots and lots of hand sanitizer.