Parenting

Mom in Perpetual Motion

by Angela Keck
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

I am a mom in perpetual motion. From the moment I open my eyes every morning until I eventually lay my head down at night, I never stop moving.

The lists of things to be done are long, never ending, never finished.

Wake up the kids, feed the kids, grab coffee myself…try to breathe.

Hurry up, we can’t be late!

Where are your shoes? Where is your backpack? What do you mean you don’t want to wear a jacket today?

Hurry, hurry! Never stop hurrying!

Do two things, three things, four things at once whenever possible. It’s the only way to get it all done.

Focus here, no there. Everywhere. Nowhere.

Drink more coffee; turn on the computer; get to work. Watch the clock.

Hurry, hurry, can’t be late! Pick up this kid, then the other. Check the backpacks, sign the agendas.

Help with homework. Wonder, was homework this hard when I was a kid? Thankfully the teenager can help her little brother with math! Remember when 2×2=4? Yeah, let me tell you about Common Core Math!

We’re moving again, never stop moving. Always in a rush. Eat your dinner, just a couple bites. While they eat, I’m loading the dishwasher, sweeping the floor, wiping down the counter…

Never. Stop. Moving.

Can you put your backpack away? Find your shoes so the morning will be smoother. What do you mean you don’t know where they are?

The daughter needs to get to dance class, the son needs to get to karate. Everyone hurry to the car, and off we go.

On the move again!

Drop one kid off, hurry to the next place, drop the other kid off, run errands while they’re busy. Where is my list?

Pick up the first kid, then the second, and we’re back home again.

Yes, you do need a shower.

Yes, you do have to wash your hair.

Hurry, your sister is waiting to get in the bathroom.

Do you need a snack? Okay, I’m tucking you in!

It’s finally starting to quiet down. The noise of the day is winding down, and I am running out of steam, but I am still not finished for the day! Check the laundry, empty the dishwasher, and make sure we have milk. Don’t forget to set up the coffee pot!

Even as I lay my head down at night, my brain is still in perpetual motion. Making tomorrow’s to-do list, adding to the top the things from today’s list that didn’t get done.

There’s always tomorrow.

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