"Life is a mix of some real sparkling joys and some pretty low moments, isn’t it? As a mom, my days are unpredictable at best, but I always welcome the chance to really think through some of the standout moments of the week. It’s these little strung-together memories that make up the enormity of life as we know it.
As a continuation to our last round of Everymom Highs and Lows, our editors are back to share their peaks and some of the not-so-wonderful moments of the week. We hope their funny, tender, and authentic moments will make you feel less alone in this parenthood journey.
High: My 2-year-old was receiving speech services through the spring and summer because she was behind developmentally and not super verbal. So, it brought me more glee than it should have to hear her yell out a crystal clear “HOW DARE YOU?!” at her big sister from the next room last week. That’s not a phrase we use, so I have no clue where it came from, but boy, was I delighted to hear three words strung so expertly together!Ā
Low: I totally understand what it’s like to feel defeated by math homework. I have a very visceral memory of bursting into tears during a third-grade math test. And yet, when my first-grader came to me frustrated and whiny, shoving her math book in my face, I was so tired and so annoyed by her tone of voice that I snapped! She went running from the room promising me that she was dropping out of school. Days later, my heart still feels heavy about that one.Ā
High: Iāve been trying to teach my son sign language since he was 6 months old. I just repeatedly used it in common scenarios like bath time or saying thank you so that heād start to get it. Just this past week, I handed him a snack, and he signed and said TANK YOU! (AKA āthank youā) over and over until I said, āYouāre welcome, Ollie!ā And right then and there, I melted into a puddle of love.
Low: My team and I got some tough news at my day job, and we donāt know if weāll still have jobs come February. On top of everything else going on in the world and being in a deep season of burnout, this was just not something any of us needed to hear right now. And especially not during the holidays.
High: For the last two years, weāve been living across the country from our family and most of our friends, and a couple of weeks ago, we decided to move back to the East Coast. Over the last eight days, we drove across the country from Portland to DC and finally have reunited with our loved ones. Seeing everyone after eight months apart was definitely a high, even if weāre doing it with masks on and from six feet apart.
Low: Before our road trip, I had to say goodbye to a dear friend. And by “dear friend,” I mean my Snoogle pregnancy pillow. With two adults, a toddler, and a dog, our car was extremely full, and adding a human-sized pillow to the mix wasnāt an option. My dear Snoogle is now in a storage unit until we know exactly where weāre moving to.
High: My boys picked out new snowsuits this weekend, and they arrived this morning. Seeing the joy a dinosaur jacket and monster jacket can bring to two toddlers made my day. They remind me to enjoy the little things.Ā
Low: Iāve been really sick all week and havenāt been able to get in for a COVID test yet. My doctor prescribed isolation unless it gets worse, and it’s really hard to live with the uncertainty on top of being sick.
High: Iāve been learning how to grow vegetables this year, and I thought I had failed at my plot. This week, I saw how many carrots I harvested and was so excited to see at least one of my crops take flight!
Low: We had our second to last foster licensing class, and itās been tough to build community in the class via Zoom. This week, we went in-depth on the abuse that foster kids suffer, and itās hard to contemplate foster parenting without access to a community of foster parents to talk to.
Now we want to hear from you! What’s your high and low of the week? Let us know in the comments or over on Instagram.