Common Things That Become Luxuries as a Mom

Women without kids take so much for granted. I know I did before I had mine. So if you are still child-less, I encourage you to savor these simple pleasures that become rare luxuries as a mom of little kids:

• Sleeping the whole night - I used to be such a deep sleeper but after breastfeeding both kids through the night for over 6 months each, I sleep much lighter and more restlessly. 

• Sleeping in - in order to keep the kids' sleep schedules (wake around 7am, sleep around 7:30pm) which I'm pretty strict about because it gives me a predictable schedule and well-rested kids, I have never been able to sleep past 6:30am for 4 years now.

• Finishing a meal in one sitting - I constantly have to get up to get them things from the pantry, fridge, or counter. Or clean up a mess. Or prevent them from making bigger messes or tipping back their chair. I am usually the last to finish eating, and I was already a slow eater before I had kids!

• Taking a leisurely shower without rushing - I only shower after they've gone to bed so showering cuts into my relaxing time to spend by myself or with my husband. I have long hair and a skin regimen so I've already cut down showering to every other day. I'd rather spend precious kid-free time doing many other things besides showering so I try to rush thru it. 

• Watching a whole movie in one sitting - between the kids' bedtimes, bedtime routine (skin regimen, scriptures, journal), deciding on a movie, and trying to get at least 7 hours of sleep, there's usually not enough time to finish one movie in a night. 

• Having a whole phone call without interruptions - I refuse to be isolated and I also need my alone time so I try to catch up with friends/family the kids are awake. But wow it is so loud and full of interruptions, most of which are not important at all and just my kids making noise to regain my attention. It's also really hard and frustrating trying to schedule appointments on the phone with kids tugging at and talking to me. 

• Leaving the house quickly with only a small purse - I'm always trying to whittle down my load but I still need a backpack to carry the water, snacks, diapers, wipes, clothes, etc. I've put my wallet and keys in a small belt bag (like a fanny pack) that I grab and clip on at the playground so I can leave the heavy backpack in the stroller. The only times I can take just a small crossbody purse is while grocery shopping or on dates with my husband. 

• Not being exhausted all the time - almost everyday, as soon as I wake up, I look forward to naptime. I've still been able to squeeze in a 20-minute nap during my youngest child's nap while my older child watches something on the TV. I work hard to eat nutritiously (including lots of protein), exercise daily, and drink water all day to be in good physical shape but I am still often tired, mentally and often emotionally as well as physically. 

I love my kids. I try to savor each day with them, but I'm glad they won't be this little forever. And I look forward to when these things will become more common again and not rare luxuries.