![30 [Real] Definitions of Motherhood](https://momwithoutlabels.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/30-Definitions-FB-1.png)
Ah, motherhood. The Oxford Dictionary defines motherhood as, The state of being a mother. Well, that leaves a lot open for interpretation, if you ask me. So, I’ve decided to take it upon myself to use my 4+ years of experience as a mom of two (girls) to further define motherhood for you from my perspective.
Motherhood is…
- … wondering how drunken frat boys got into your house and made this mess
- … buying 949,827,352 pureed fruit pouches to keep on hand for when your kids are hungry but you’re lazy
- … turning on your phone to find 50+ selfies your kid took
- … lying about how much screen time your kids actually get
- … simultaneously wishing for time to stop but for bedtime to arrive faster
- … not even bothering to close the door while you use the bathroom anymore
- … wondering if some arbitrary parenting decision you made is the reason [insert anything] is happening now
- … saying things like, “We don’t kiss the potty,” and, “Don’t drink the bath water,” on the regular
- … living in a constant state of having cartoon theme songs playing in your head
- … chasing your daughters around the house while holding them by the hair, trying to get it into a ponytail
- … yelling, “Give your sister some space!” all day everyday
- … wondering when your kids will be old enough to wipe their own butts
- … getting asked for (and fetching) a snack 100 times per day
- … not knowing how long it’s been since you last washed your hair
- … equating a solo trip to Target to a tropical beach vacation
- … realizing your favorite show/movie/song has a lot more profanity in it than you remember
- … not knowing why you (or anyone else) are/is crying
- … questioning every moment of silence and assuming the worst (because experience)
- … mourning the loss of your pre-baby body while trying to convince yourself that “tiger stripes” are cool
- … inescapable mom-guilt even though you’re actually rockin’ this mom-gig
- … feeling like a rock star because your “groupies” cry every time they see you and every time you leave the room
- … getting rid of toys when your kids are napping and hoping they won’t notice
- … serving yourself extra food because your not-hungry-kid will undoubtedly mooch off of you
- … hiding in a closet to eat candy alone
- … having an unwanted audience while you shower
- … hearing your name being called multiple times per day for no reason at all
- … throwing away “artwork” from school but burying in the in trashcan so they don’t find the evidence
- … an internal conflict between dying to put your baby down (because freedom) & wanting to hold them forever
- … having your whole day of errands/activities hinge on whether your toddler pees before leaving the house
- … trying not to laugh when your kid says a bad word or something particularly sassy
Finally, motherhood is knowing there’s no bigger or better blessing in the world and that mom life really is the best life; it’s the extreme privilege of being able to care for tiny humans and help shape them into the (hopefully amazing) people they will become. Motherhood is sharing in the joys and triumphs of your children; it’s wiping their tears and hiding the heartbreak their sadness causes you. Motherhood is learning, growing, and stretching to become the person you were destined to be; it’s loving someone so much you think your heart might actually explode. Often thankless, it’s the hardest, most challenging, hilarious, joyful, rewarding, cry-tears-of-joy, worth-it, job in the world.
Motherhood is learning, growing, and stretching to become the person you were destined to be. Click To TweetHow do you define motherhood? Add your definitions in the comments!
Great list girl! I am getting to be a master at #27 but I feel a little guilty about it 🙂
Ha! Don’t feel guilty! What could you POSSIBLY do with ALL of it?! I keep a few pieces here and there but the rest goes in the trash after being on display a few days.
Haha. I can relate to all of these! Thank God for pouches 🙂
I know, right?! Life savers!
So much this. We should put this in the dictionary as the true definition of / mothers. I have boys, so there are a few differences. No chasing to put hair in ponytails. But often wondering how long the “naked hugs” will last from my 5 year old and at what point will he teach my youngest son who is only 6 months.
But I would never trade a day with them for anything especially since I know the heart ache of losing a child. So no matter how much I get flustered and frustrated, in the end I still love them and love being a mom.
PS – It is nice knowing we are not alone on this trip called motherhood.
So not alone!! I’m so sorry to hear you’ve lost one — you’re one strong mama! Thanks for reading!
Thanks.
Yes to everything!!! This has been my favorite read this week! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for reading! You just made my day!
Haha, I was just sitting here nodding my head to each of these! Motherhood is one of the hardest, best, craziest, most rewarding things we ever do.
Yes it is! Thanks for reading!
I can totally relate to 2, 15, 19, 24, 27 & 30!! I have a potty mouth and my oldest two never were the type to repeat. Throw in our 3rd child and he likes to repeat potty words and finds it hilarious. We have to turn around so he doesn’t see the smile because although it sounds all cute, it isn’t cute. I loved this post. -Breyona Sharpnack
Hahaha! Too funny! Thanks for reading!
Amazing list, as a stay at home working mom it’s crazy how many of these I can relate to!
Mom life is hilarious!
Love this list! The selfies had me laughing (I seriously deleted 500 the other day!).
Thank you! My little one loves taking them!
This is a great list. I can totally relate to many of these.
Thank you so much!
Awesome post! I love all of these!!
Thank you so much!!
I loved this post so much! Every word was SO TRUE! mom life is the best life!
It really is! Thanks so much!
I love all of this list! It’s too hilarious!
Thanks so much, girl!
#2…. I even look for sales 🙊
Wal-Mart has organic ones for only 89 cents now!!
I just died laughing through this whole post. SO TRUE HAHA!
Ha! Thanks so much!
I love this! So funny! Yes I think there are lots of frat guys around here a lot haha at least that’s how it looks!
Right?! How do they sneak in an out?!
Truth yep! Motherhood is wondering where that bruise came from and then remembering your kid elbowed you during a diaper change lol
Yes! Oh man… the number of unidentified bruise sources is uncanny!
I literally just laughed so hard and then sent this over to my friend who is pregnant with number 2. I feel like this is a ‘this is what you have to look forward to,’ kind of post!
Ha! Thank you for sharing! It totally is!
This is super relate-able. I loved it, just about every # I was like YES. Oh the mom life. This was a cute read.
Thanks for reading and for your kind words!
I love this, yes to all…brilliant post.
Thank you SO much!
I’m pretty sure I’ve said or experienced every single thing you posted. These are all so true – and so funny. Great post!
At least you now know you’re not alone!
Haha, yes! Thank you for the chuckles. I especially like the Target one! And the silence one!
Thank you for reading!!
THIRTEEN AND SEVENTEEN FOR LIFE! I love this Shannon!
Ha! YES!! Thank you!!
I cannot tell you how hard it is to keep a straight face when Henry busts out “shit” or drops an F bomb
Oh my word. I would die laughing.
I think you summed it up quite nicely. I can relate to pretty much all that you have listed. The top one is leave your brother alone.
YES! My 4 year old is always all over her little sister. It’s crazy!
I’m pinning this ASAP. I am loving your whole list. I agreed, smiled and nodded my way through. You’re such an awesome writer mama!
Thank you so much, Diedre! That means so much!
Couldn’t be more true!! haha thank you for this!
Thank you for reading!!
Oh my goodness!! So, so, so true! The amount of times I’ve said “For the love! Just leave your sister alone” boggles my mind (as mine are 4 years old and 15 months).
YES!! My older one is always crowding her little sister!
So great and so true! Made me giggle! 🙂 Have a great day!
Thanks so much for reading!
This is hilariously true. Great post!
Thank you SO much!
This is awesome! #15 is everything! Thank you!
Hahaha! Yesssss!!
Yes, yes, and yes. The bathroom door thing had me laughing out loud.
I gave up on that long long ago. LOL!
6,8,9 are my life right now. Plus all the rest! You nailed this one Shannon.
Thank you, Kerry! #momlife
Haha!! I was literally doing number 14 as I started to read this!
Ha! I love it!
This is hilarious and very true! I thought it was just me but now I know I am not alone. Lol
You are definitely not alone!
Haha ain’t that the truth! Funny read this AM, thank you!
Thank YOU!!
Loved this…all so very true. At the end of the day there all worth it. 😉
Yes they are!!
Haha was nodding throughout this list! Soooo relatable! With a 1,5yo especially #30 becomes more relevant every day… trying not to laugh when he does something he shouldn´t happens like 5x each day
Allllll day!!
Could this post be anymore accurate? I’m laughing because every single one of these is spot on!
Thank you so much! Thanks for reading!
This is spot on! #21 – feeling like a rockstar HA love it
Groupies for days!! Haha!
Rofl!!! Yes to all of the above! This is great!
Thanks, Patty!!
#11!! OMG!!! I thought it was just us. Constantly yelling at my daughter to give her brother some space. Can you say future smothering girlfriend 🙈🤣
OMG I have said the same thing about my 4 year old! Her future boyfriends are in TROUBLE! Hahahaha!
Beautiful and funny and true ❤❤❤
Thanks, Kari!!
Hahahah I am dying! I concur with everything on this list!!! Burying artwork lol hahaha GUILTY! Loved this post!!!
Thank you, my friend! You da’ best!! xo