Day in the Life of a Tired Momma
- Stephanie M.
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 11
A holy shift of the thoughts we don’t want to speak out loud.
To all the mommas, whether seasoned or brand new:
This one’s for you. 🤍
The Morning Shift
Another day begins earlier than you wanted it to. It’s a rainy Tuesday… or is it Wednesday?
You don’t give it another thought, as you are already on the move to greet a tiny human excitedly waiting for you to scoop them up and start the day. Your heart swells as you snuggle them close and kiss tiny, soft cheeks. I better memorize them before they fade into toddlerhood, you think.
The morning shift has begun.
Your phone dings. You’ll get to it later, maybe. Last week, it took you two days to answer your friend because your baby was sick. Wondering if your friendship can endure this season, you think to yourself, I’m a horrible friend.
While you’re getting the bottle ready, you make a mental note to order some bigger jammies. You wonder how a small human can grow so fast… When was the last time I bought myself a shirt?
The baby on your hip reminds you that your bottle-making is too slow, so you hurriedly cap it and shake it on the way to the rocking chair, where you’ll attempt to feed the cutest little alligator who will drink an ounce and beg to get down and play. Where did all the burp cloths go?
You grab a burp cloth from the mountain in the laundry room. After sitting back down, sweet Gator chugs half the bottle and spits up all over both of you. Back to the pile for more clothes. I have got to fold this today. I’m so lazy.
The clock reminds you that it’s ten minutes until you need to leave, so you kick into high gear — re-dress yourself, change the baby, throw the bottle in the sink, pick baby back up because they start to cry, run to your closet for shoes, hurry the dogs into the backyard, load the baby in the car seat… and then you smell it.
Sweet Gator is now a stinky ‘gator…
Freshly diapered baby in hand, you strap them back in the car seat, turn off the lights, grab your keys, and head out the door.
You’re 10 minutes behind when you remember your lunch in the fridge, but the car is already loaded, so you decide to leave it for tomorrow. You wonder to yourself why you can’t ever seem to get out the door on time. I’m so disorganized.
After dropping off ‘gator at daycare, you head to work. Late. Again. You’re exhausted from the morning and hope your boss understands that you’re trying.
It’s hard to focus on your emails because you’re wondering if Gator’s teacher knows the special bounce that calms them down. Are they crying for you, asking where “Ma-ma-ma-ma” is?
Feeling like a horrible mom, you remember the work project you were supposed to send over to your boss yesterday. You had to leave early because daycare called, so you didn’t get to finish. I’m such a bad employee.
Work day finished, you head home where your husband and Gator are waiting for you. Their giggling voices reach your ears as you open the door. No scrambling, just playing after a long day at work and daycare. He’s such a better parent than I am.
After quick hellos, you get dinner ready and on the table. An hour later, it’s bath and bedtime for Gator. Cleaning up bath toys while your husband tackles the kitchen, you think about all the time you missed with your baby during the day.
Suddenly, it’s too much.
Sobs wrack your body as you think, I can’t do this. Why is all of it so hard?
Then you hear it — the still, small voice you’ve been ignoring all day.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Leaning into the quiet, you hear it again.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… do not let your hearts be troubled…
You think about all the things you’ve said to yourself today. All the lies the enemy has tempted you to believe.
In the stillness, the Holy Spirit reminds you what’s true.
You pray and ask the Lord to change your perspective, to renew your mind in Christ Jesus.
The Holy Shift
Another morning begins. You think, Lord, thank you for another opportunity to share your love today.
The same routine — get baby ready, handle the spills and accidents, get everyone out the door. Yet this time, something is different.
The blowouts and tantrums and work emails are still there, but your inner monologue is different.
A twice-forgotten lunch means you’ll have to eat out again. Thank you, Lord, for providing the means for me to buy food.
Baby Gator is teething, so you’re tired from being up all night. Lord, I’m resting in you today, for your yoke is easy and your burden is light.
For the rest of the day, you hold every thought captive and remind yourself of the truth of Scripture as opposed to feasting on the enemy’s lies.
Instead of all the negative thoughts, you repeat to yourself, I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
It doesn’t change your situation, but it does change the way you view it. All the chaos and striving suddenly become joy and blessing.
Your identity is no longer a tired momma.
You are a thankful, redeemed, beloved child of the King.
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things… and the God of peace will be with you.
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Press on! 🫶🏻
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