Why The Stroller Days Are The Best Days

“Okay kids, let’s go to the park!”

Upon hearing park, my three toddlers race to bring me their jackets and shoes.

I bend down to start putting them on, when I notice someone has a poopy diaper. Impeccable timing, as usual.

After she’s fresh again, I finish getting their gear on.

Fifteen minutes later, after we find the shoe that went missing while I was changing the diaper, and the orange toy airplane (but NOT the red one) that must come with us, we’re finally ready for the outdoors.

“Time to get in the stroller!”

They proceed to carefully climb down the step from the house into the garage, one tumbling onto the rug and hitting her knee, which means she needs a kiss to make it feel better.

Then they get distracted by the bikes, cozy coupes, and soccer net.

And then one decides it’d be fun to open the dog food container and shove a handful in her mouth. Simultaneously, the other two fight over who gets to open the door to the coaster wagon.

“Over here! Come on kiddos! Let’s get in the stroller!”

Big brother comes first and climbs into his seat. But then his toy airplane falls on the floor, which of course is a DRAMATIC experience. “MOMMA! HELP ME! HELP HELP HELP!”

I rescue the airplane and become his hero.

After strapping the other kids in, I do a quick inventory of what else I need to grab.

Wipes? Check. Sunglasses? Check. Water bottles? Check. Snack to bribe them to get back in the stroller after the park? Oops, forgot that one.

I race back into the house while they cheer me on. “Let’s Go! Go! Go! Momma!”

I walk back to the garage, confident that we’re ready.

“Mommy? I gotta go potty.”

“Okay! Thanks for telling me!” I say, trying to muster up genuine excitement as I help him to the bathroom.

Now. Now we’re ready.

I release the break and start walking.

And exhale a BIG deep breath.

WOW. I did it.

Those first few blocks are like a victory lap. We’re OUT OF THE HOUSE! We actually made it through all that, and it feels SO good.

The air is fresh, it’s decently quiet, and we’re all in our happy place.

And it’s then, behind the handles of my stroller, when I have a few moments to think. To really think clearly for the first time that day.

I think about the chaos that I’ve endured that morning. The messes I’ve cleaned up, the boo-boos I’ve kissed, the tantrums I’ve heard, the fights I’ve refereed, the toys I’ve played with, the five minutes I had to get ready when I threw my dirty hair up in a top knot (yet again) before the baby woke up, and the cold coffee that I have yet to finish. I think about how I feel like I’m in a constant zombie state, and I wonder if I’ll ever reach a point when I don’t feel like I’m in survival mode. I think about the nonstop pace of being a mom to these little people who ride in my stroller.

Just then, I hear the most adorable singing coming from their little mouths. And then I hear the sweetest giggling. And I listen, and can’t help but smile. Just what I needed to change my perspective.

Yes, I’m tired. Yes, I do the same ordinary things every day. Yes, this season is absolutely requiring me to work harder than I ever have in my life. And yes, I usually have dirty hair.

BUT. I have THEM. I get THEM. I get to raise these sweet and sometimes not so sweet kids who have completely stolen my heart. I get to watch them grow. I get to be the one to love them unlike anyone else. I get to be their momma. I get to do what I do because I am blessed more than I could have ever imagined.

So on the days when it feels like every simple task takes ten times longer than it needs to, instead of getting frustrated and overwhelmed, I hope it reminds me that I’m needed. They need me to carry them, to direct them, to teach them, to love them. They need me to be my best version of myself.

To the mommas who push a stroller, let’s hold on tight and enjoy the ride. These days are so hard. But they’re also so sweet. Let’s savor each day we get with them while they’re little. WE are needed, so let’s do this thing together. When I see you pushing your sweethearts, you can be sure I know what you’ve been through that morning, but I also know how blessed your are.

These stroller days are the best days.