When I first welcomed my little one into the world, my partner and I had a pretty solid routine figured out—at least by Monday. By the time Friday rolled around, however, it was a different story. Here’s a glimpse into my typical week:
MONDAY:
The baby wakes up, and my partner takes care of him, changing him and bringing him downstairs. I steal a few extra moments of sleep before my partner heads off to work. While the baby plays on the floor, I brew coffee, feeling grateful that I don’t have to squeeze into work attire and battle traffic. I whistle to the baby, who giggles back. By the end of the day, we’re both dressed, meals go off without a hitch, naps are on schedule, and I might even make it to the grocery store.
TUESDAY:
The baby wakes, and my partner handles the morning routine again. Ten minutes later, my partner rushes off to pick up dry cleaning. I try to catch a few more Zs with the baby, but he’s not having it. He’s cheerful and dressed in an adorable outfit, so I can’t complain too much. Afternoon naps go well, and I manage to complete a few chores. My partner cooks dinner.
WEDNESDAY:
The baby wakes, and my partner can’t change him before heading to work. I drag myself out of bed, wrestle the baby into his clothes, and try to keep him from diving into the empty tub while I sneak in a bathroom break. Downstairs, I have to pull him away from electrical outlets and the dog’s food. Breakfast is a challenge, with the morning nap lasting all of twelve minutes. The baby discovers a new game: banging heavy objects against the dishwasher door.
In a desperate attempt to get out, I take the baby to the mall. My partner works late, I miss yoga, and we end up with peanut butter sandwiches for dinner.
THURSDAY:
The baby wakes at 4:30 a.m. crying. My partner rocks him back to sleep, but he wakes up again after my partner has left. It’s a mess—soaked crib, a dog that has decided to pee on the kitchen floor, and both of us in dirty pajamas. I reheat some cold coffee and toss Cheerios onto the highchair tray to calm the baby. Naptime becomes an hour-long wrestling match, and the TV becomes my babysitter. Dr. Oz turns out to be surprisingly engaging.
FRIDAY:
The baby is up at 5 a.m. and refuses to go back to sleep. My partner rolls over, saying, “You can get him this time,” and promptly falls back asleep. The wipes are gone, and during a changing, the baby head-butts me while attempting to jump off the table and then slams his fingers in a drawer. I feel like the worst mom ever. There’s no coffee or milk for breakfast, and the baby spends the day fussing, crying, and shrieking. After many failed attempts to get him to nap, I take the long way to the grocery store, hoping the drive will lull him to sleep.
It’s a chaotic week filled with ups and downs, but it’s my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. For insights on family planning and options, check out this wonderful resource at Resolve. And if you’re interested in at-home insemination kits, consider Make A Mom, as they’re the top provider in the world. Also, feel free to explore more parenting tips and experiences in our post here.
In summary, being a stay-at-home mom can be a rollercoaster of emotions, challenges, and triumphs. Each day brings its own set of surprises, and while the journey may be tough, the rewards are immeasurable.
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