Motherhood Is…

Various definitions of parenthood:

Motherhood is:

Motherhood is beauty.
Motherhood is chaos.
Motherhood is looking at the unraveled house around you and feeling powerless to right the ship some days, as tiny bodies pull you in a thousand directions.
Motherhood is being struck to the core in the most unexpected moments by the sheer gift of little humans — tiny toes, whispered words.
Motherhood is being bowled over by the look of adoration in your 5-year-old’s face as she snuggles close in the morning.
Motherhood is feeling like a failure.
Motherhood is feeling like you’re nailing it.
Motherhood is trying desperately to care for tiny humans while they fight you tooth and nail every step of the way.
Motherhood is feeling exposed to the elements — a deep, unspoken terror of the what-ifs.
Motherhood is never feeling this trapped in your life.
Motherhood is never feeling this fulfilled in your life.
Motherhood is all the things.

It is “a new heartbreak every day,” as a dear friend said of her son’s high school graduation.
It is being struck anew in unexpected moments by how dense the tiny nucleus of your life is — here, in this room, two tiny humans tucked away in bed: the entirety of what matters, after all is stripped away.

It is feeling your dead-eyed stare after all your energy is drained.
It is feeling filled up by one tiny, unbidden hug, an “I love you, Mama,” or a quiet snuggle.
It is craving time to yourself.
It is missing the tiny humans the moment you step away.
It is constant worry. It is such joy.

Motherhood is a shift in perspective — suddenly, a solo trip to the store is a vacation. A night home alone, a luxury.
It is wanting to pause time — here, with these curls, that tiny voice, these innocent questions.
It is wanting to accelerate time to that “someday” when things feel less insane.

It is this.
And so much more.

What would you add to this list, mama?