I give up.

Those are three of the most important words you can say as a mom. Every night, we go to sleep with a million little lists of things to do the next day. Our minds are full of the things we have to get done and all the ways we’re going to be a better mom than the day before: not get upset, not be distracted, spend quality time as a family. It goes on and on.

And then—especially if you have little kids—90% of the time, things don’t go according to plan. I think it’s one of life’s greatest frustrations as a mom.

The unexpected bumps:

  • You’re headed to lunch, and the school calls—your kid is sick.
  • You’re walking out the door, and a very independent toddler spills their milk across the table—and all over your clothes.
  • You have a Zoom meeting when the doorbell rings, the dog goes nuts and you realize you’ve double-booked yourself. (That one might just be a “me” thing.)

The point is, motherhood is full of the unexpected. When I first became a mom, I let these moments really get to me. I would lean in, grit my teeth and try to get everything done anyway. I’d get super upset, work harder, stress myself out and turn into someone who was not so fun for anyone. I’d overcompensate because things weren’t going my way.

Now I know that’s not always the best way to react. The best moments I’ve had as a mom have happened when nothing went as planned—and I finally just said, “Okay. I give up.” It turns out, the sweetest, most unexpected memories with my kids are made when I stop trying so hard and simply let the day unfold.

It’s not that I give up on motherhood, or I give up on my dreams. It’s more like I give up on what I thought the day should be and just embrace what it is. That’s when the most amazing things happen, and I realize my priorities always begin and end with my family.

And everything that needed to get done? Well, we’ll try again tomorrow.

—XO Katelyn

Katelyn Young is a local mom of four (her #crumblycrew) who shares real moments of motherhood as it relates to fashion, food and fun! Follow her on Instagram @katelynyoung.