What I Miss About Being Single {Pre-Motherhood}

While I never would trade my family for anything, sometimes being a wife and mother can be completely overwhelming. It’s easy to lose your sense of self when dealing with all of the details of working full time, attending school and making sure that your children have all of their needs met as well as some of their wants.

There are definitely a few things that I miss about being single when I’m in the midst of this tornado of momhood.

1. Bathing or going to the bathroom alone.

Long gone are the days where I get to poop or shave my legs by myself. I miss the times when I didn’t have to clean action figures and boats out of my tub before getting in to soak. It’s hard to relax when there’s a constant chorus of “mommy, mom, mommy” right outside the bathroom door.

2. Spontaneity.

I miss being able to run out to the store really quick. I miss being able to have a quickie at the drop of a dime. I miss being able to leave at 4 pm for a road trip that I decided to go on at noon. I REALLY miss not having to pack everything but the kitchen sink for a brief outing. Why do these kids need so much crap?!?

3. Sleep.

This probably should be the number one item on my list. Sleep is elusive in my house. Some days there isn’t enough coffee in the western hemisphere. My nonverbal daughter has always had trouble sleeping. She frequently wakes in the middle of the night to sing us the songs of her people and make her medical alarms go off. It ’s a beautiful sound in the afternoon, but not so much at 3 am when it wakes up her little brothers4 PMand they decide they’re ready to start their day.

4. Not having mom guilt.

I totally miss being able to get a pedi or buy myself an outfit without feeling that crushing blow of mom guilt. My kids are well dressed, well fed and have tons of cool things. My obligations are taken care of. I deserve to have cool things too but try telling that to the nagging little voice inside of my head.

5. Not being a jungle gym.

I don’t know what it is about my boys, but if I’m sitting down, they feel like they have to be climbing and/or jumping all over me. If they’re awake, they’re on me. I love having mamas boys, but I miss having non bruised skin and being able to watch T.V. in peace.  

I’m fully aware that I only get 18 years with my little snowflakes. I know that someday I will miss these precious stage five clingers that I have. Yet, a part of me still longs for the independence that I once took for granted.

What do you miss most from your pre-mom life?