Enjoying Motherhood While It’s Hard
Why the days feel long, but the years are short
There’s a phrase every new mum hears eventually:
“The days are long, but the years are short.”
It sounds like one of those well-meaning clichés until you find yourself there — in the thick of it — surviving on cold coffee and cuddles, trying to figure out how to enjoy motherhood while it’s hard.
Because let’s be honest, it is hard.
You love your baby more than anything in the world, but some days feel like you’re running a marathon in slippers. It’s beautiful and brutal all at once — a blur of feeding, rocking, tidying, and trying not to cry over the washing machine again.
And yet… even in the exhaustion, something extraordinary is happening.
🌀 The never-ending cycle just to stand still
Motherhood in those early months and years can feel like a treadmill — the same motions, every day, just to stay upright. You feed, change, tidy, repeat. You finally get ahead… and then there’s another growth spurt, another cold, another mountain of washing.
It’s easy to feel like you’re not moving forward. But you are. Every small act — every cuddle, lullaby, spoonful, and story — is building your baby’s world. You might not see progress, but they’re learning safety, rhythm, love, connection.
You’re not just surviving the cycle. You’re shaping a childhood.
🌅 The long days
Some days stretch on forever. You count the hours until bedtime, then miss them when they’re asleep. You long for a minute alone, then scroll through baby photos five minutes later.
That’s the emotional tug of early motherhood — the push and pull between wanting a break and wanting to freeze time.
But even on the hardest days, there are moments that make you stop and breathe:
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That gummy grin first thing in the morning.
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The way they nuzzle into your neck when they’re tired.
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The tiny laugh that bubbles out unexpectedly and fills the whole room.
They’re the reasons we keep going, even when it’s hard to enjoy motherhood in the moment.
🕰️ The short years
Then, one day, you realise the long days are over. You’re packing away the newborn clothes. They’re walking. Talking. Saying “No!” with great enthusiasm.
You start to see what people meant when they said motherhood goes too fast.
That’s why slowing down matters — not to make every moment perfect, but to be present for the tiny, imperfect, ordinary ones.
💫 How to enjoy motherhood while it’s hard
If you’re struggling to enjoy these early years, you’re not failing — you’re human. Here are a few gentle ways to find joy amid the chaos:
1. Lower the bar
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect day. Keeping everyone alive and vaguely happy is enough. The rest is optional.
2. Get out of the house
Sometimes a change of scene — and adult conversation — is everything. Adventure Babies classes are designed to give you that: a calm, welcoming space to connect with your baby and other parents who get it.
3. Make moments, not milestones
Your baby won’t remember how clean the house was — they’ll remember how it felt to be with you. Sing, play, read, cuddle. Those are the memories that matter.
4. Be kind to yourself
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Rest, eat, breathe, and remind yourself that you’re doing something incredible.
🌈 Finding joy in small things
At Adventure Babies, we see every day how connection turns chaos into magic. Babies light up during storytime — reaching out to touch textures, watch bubbles, or listen to your voice as you read.
Those sensory storytelling sessions are more than play; they’re a way to slow down, bond, and rediscover joy in your baby’s wonder. You don’t have to try to enjoy motherhood — sometimes, you just need a space that helps you see how beautiful it already is.
“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” – Dr. Seuss
❤️ A reminder for the hard days
If today feels like one long loop of nappies, laundry and reheated tea, please know this: you’re doing enough.
You are learning how to enjoy motherhood while it’s hard — and that’s brave, beautiful work.
So breathe. Take a photo. Leave the dishes. Sit on the floor and read the same story again. These are the days you’ll look back on and wish you could live twice.
Because the days are long, but the years… the years are heartbreakingly short.
