Today marks the 100th day of school for my kindergartner. As I navigated the morning chaos, the teachers encouraged, “You can create a special shirt for your child to wear over their uniform!” The room mom chimed in, saying, “We’d love some extra hands in the classroom.” And my sweet little girl, with her hopeful smile, asked, “Can you join us for lunch today?” My response was a resigned “no,” “no,” and “no.”
Sure, I wished I could say, “Today’s the day! Maybe I can whip something up between packing lunches, changing diapers, and brushing teeth.” I thought about how I might bring the baby along, even though I wasn’t sure how much help that would be. “Not today, but perhaps later this week?” I offered, feeling the familiar pangs of guilt settle in.
Strolling through the halls, I watched other moms gleefully capturing moments, posting pictures online, and cheering their little ones as they entered the classroom under a giant “100” banner. A wave of regret washed over me. Shouldn’t I be there? What if this was a memory my child would cherish? I could always grab groceries later. The baby could nap on my lap, right?
Suddenly, a notification popped up on my screen—a message that felt like a lifeline. It read, “The shirt isn’t what matters, skipping that long drive is fine, and the time you do spend is what counts.” The post featured a mom who seemed to have it all together. She had crafted the shirt, snapped the cute photos, and I had no doubt she would be volunteering that day. Even amidst her busy schedule, she took a moment to appreciate not just her child but the entire experience behind it.
There I was, just a plain blue uniform shirt in sight, and a faint “maybe later” hanging in the air. Yet, a large sign celebrating the 100th day of school also bore a quiet message of love and effort—a reminder that every effort counts.
We are mothers—unique individuals bonded by our experiences. We may feel scared and overwhelmed at times, but we also embrace our journeys with pride. Beyond being just mothers, we are partners, daughters, friends, and we need spaces to discuss topics beyond our kids. If you’re looking for community, check out our other blog posts like this one on home insemination here. For those interested in enhancing fertility, resources such as this fertility booster for men can be invaluable. Additionally, for insights into pregnancy and home insemination, the fertility center is an excellent resource.
In summary, the 100th day of school was more than just a milestone; it was a reminder to appreciate the efforts of all moms, including ourselves. It’s okay not to do it all, and it’s important to recognize that every bit of love and effort we put in matters.
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