Motherhood

Recently, I asked several mothers via multiple social media outlets to sum motherhood up in one word. In many ways, it was a trick question. Trying to sum up something as expansive as motherhood into one simple word is nearly impossible. And yet, as I read through the responses, I had to agree with every single one. Here are the top contenders:

Exhausting
This was by far the most popular response and, to be honest, my first thought as well. Motherhood is exhausting. The exhaustion starts in your very first trimester and never lets up. You stumble through those first few weeks after giving birth half asleep. Even after your little one is finally sleeping through the night (yes, it happens eventually) you are still constantly waking. Sometimes, it is because a child had a nightmare or because they are sick. Sometimes it's just because you need to check on them. But the sleepless nights aren't the only things that are exhausting. You have to keep up with a tiny little person (or two or three or more!) that has 20 times the amount of energy you do. They can make messes faster than you can clean them. They never stop moving so you never stop moving. But if it were just physical exhaustion, it would be easy, but it's not. There's the added emotional and mental exhaustion that comes with it. Why does your one-year-old keep insisting on sticking things in the light socket? Why can't your four-year-old understand that screaming the My Little Pony theme song when you have a headache isn't helpful? How did your baby grow up so fast? When did he start walking? Why can't you get that bloody Daniel Tiger song out of your head? If it isn't one thing, it's another. It. Is. Exhausting

Adventure
Yes, oh yes, motherhood is indeed an adventure! You never know exactly what is right around the bend. Sometimes, it is exciting and a rush. Other times, you make the wrong turn and fall off a cliff. Nevertheless, motherhood is a grand and exciting adventure.

Miraculous
To quote one of the people who responded, "Every baby is a miracle." This is so true. I can still remember the day I became a mom and the nurse placed that tiny, squeaky thing in my arms. She was a true little miracle. I felt the exact same way with my second child. All those tiny little fingers and toes. Those tiny, squinty eyes. And that feeling sticks with you throughout your children's lives. Those first steps and giggles. Getting to watch them learn to write and read. Every little detail and every little moment is miraculous.

Encompassing
Everything you do seems to circle back to the fact you are a mom. It's girls' night out and between your fruity drinks your mind wonders if your littles are safely tucked into bed. It's date night, and try as hard as you might to contain it, you pull up the day's pictures to show your someone special. We can't help it. When those little people enter our lives they permeate every little corner. It's not that we can't be our own people and it's not that motherhood defines us but it is very much a part of who we are. Our children invade every thought.

Empowering
Hell yes! I am Mama, hear me roar! You better not mess with my kids or you will see my bad side. But motherhood is more than just coming to our kids' defense. We literally become super moms. We find strength where we thought there was none. We are the givers of life. We are powerful. Some days, we feel as if we can do anything, You need 100 cupcakes for that bakesale by this afternoon? Done. You need me to change a dirty diaper while simultaneously cooking a delicious homemade dinner and entertaining  a preschooler who didn't take a nap? Done. You need me to run to Target with both kids and make it out before one or both has a meltdown? Well...

Unpredictable
Just about every time you think  you have this mom thing figured out, you don't. Both of my children are incredibly different and I am constantly learning and relearning how to be a good mom. You never know what life is going to throw at your via your kids. Sometimes, it's all good stuff like when your kid decides out of the blue that this is the day that she is going to be potty trained. Sometimes, it's not so good like when you have to cancel your plans because your baby has a 103 temp.

Joyful
I can honestly say that being a mother is one of the happiest experiences. Yes, it is draining and intimidating and exhausting and all of that stuff, but it is happy. If you thought you found happiness or pride in your own accomplishments just wait until your kid does something. The joy that you feel from something as simple as a little giggle is enough to make your heart feel as it is about to burst from your chest.

Overwhelming
Motherhood is definitely overwhelming. If you ever thought anything was stressful multiple that by about 1000. There simply is not enough time in the day to do everything you need to do.But motherhood is more than just being swamped with a million menial tasks. It is overwhelming in the amount of love you feel for your child. It is overwhelming in the amount of pride you feel for your child. Motherhood is an overload of everything physical, emotional and mental. And of course, all the hormones don't help. Motherhood is an amazing, overwhelming experience.

So, in short, motherhood is many things and it takes on many forms. The word you might use to describe motherhood probably changes from day to day, but the fact is that we are mothers.  Here's to the moms who gave birth at home, in birthing centers or on hospitals. Here's to the moms who gave birth all natural, loaded with drugs or who had c-sections. Here's to the moms who gave birth to a child, knowing they couldn't keep it and gave it up to go to a better home. Here's to the moms who opened their arms wide to receive a child who was not their own but who would treated as such for the rest of the child's life. Here's the moms with babies and children waiting on them in heaven, for you are no less a mother than the rest of us. Here's to the moms all around the world with different situations, cultures and beliefs. We are mothers and we are amazing, even on the days we feel like failures. Today is Mother's Day and we are worth celebrating.