Mom FOMO: The Struggle is Real. But There’s Nothing to Fear.

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When I was in my twenties, I never experienced Mom FOMO. But that’s because I wasn’t a mom. And I never missed anything

If someone asked me if I wanted to go to the beach for the weekend on a Friday at 5 p.m., the answer was YES. Happy hour after work? Of course. Brunch all day long? Definitely. Any get together or party or girls night out ever? Absolutely. 

I’ve had seven jobs and lived in seven states. And in every chapter of my life, I’ve collected glorious friends that I couldn’t imagine life without. As I’ve moved on to the next thing, I’ve had to accept that their fun carries on without me. And in the age of posting every supercool moment you’ve ever experienced on Facebook, FOMO can be a real struggle. Especially if you’re a mom. 

When you have a child, you kind of know that your life is not going to be the same, and you kind of understand that you’re going to miss out on some things. But you don’t really know. You miss out on things that, in your previous life, you would have been at in a heartbeat. 

But do not fear, mamas. Not really. 

Now, I make my own fun, and I make sure I never miss a moment. It’s Friday Fun Night with mac ‘n cheese, popsicles and cuddles with my kiddo. BBQ’s in the backyard. Getting a sitter and basking in that feeling I had when I didn’t have to worry about bedtime.

It’s finding likeminded mamas and knowing that they may experience a little Mom FOMO, too. 

It’s, most of all, experiencing the moments through the eyes of your child — things you most definitely would have overlooked as an adult. Like a squirrel in the backyard or a purple flower blooming in your garden. The glee that it’s raining because you get

mom FOMO
      The little things you’re not            missing out on as a Mom

to use an umbrella. The epitome of dancing like no one’s watching because your favorite song ever is on. 

And, yes. When my beautiful single friend had a fabulous birthday party, I felt a pretty major pang of OMG I AM MISSING THIS?! But I accept that in this moment I am putting a sweet girl to bed and getting a request for an extra hug.

If that’s not something I don’t want to miss out on, I don’t know what is.