When Being a Mom Is Hard

Eliza Clark
May 8, 2013

Motherhood holds many profound joys, each and every day. The little moments with our kids brim with love and humor, and their presence infuses the mundane with meaning. We know just how lucky we are to have these kids in our lives… and yet, being a mom can also be hard. 

Mother’s Day is a time to recognize what we love about motherhood, but also what makes it difficult. 

For starters:

Being a Mom is hard when you’re sleep-deprived.

Being a Mom is hard when three people are asking you to find something, fix something, and explain something all at the same time.

Being a Mom is hard when you’re juggling the needs of kids, jobs, spouses and more.

Being a Mom is hard when you’re trying to figure out what to make for dinner.

Being a Mom is hard when you’re negotiating between siblings.

Being a Mom is hard when you miss the baby and the toddler that your big kid once was.

Being a Mom is hard when you are faced with big decisions that will affect your children’s lives.

Being a Mom is hard when your child is struggling.

Being a Mom is hard when your child is hurt or sick.

Being a Mom is hard when you see your children taking risks.

Being a Mom is hard when your child’s teacher gives a less than stellar report.

Being a Mom is hard when you don’t have time to read a book, see friends, or go on a date.

Being a Mom is hard when you have to set limits with your kids.

Being a Mom is hard when you have to give your kids consequences.

Being a Mom is hard when your kids get angry with you.

Being a Mom is hard when you have to say goodbye to your kids as they go off to that first day of school, to that first sleepover, to camp, to college.

Being a Mom is hard when you can’t find a babysitter.

Being a Mom is really, really hard when no one recognizes or says thank you for the tireless efforts you make. Which is why Mother’s Day is nice. Hooray for Mother’s Day, and hooray for our fellow Moms!

P.S. We would not give up the difficult, heartbreaking, harrowing, exhausting, perplexing work of mothering our children for anything. Kids, in case you’re reading, you’re so worth it.