Motherhood has a way of making the completely absurd feel strangely normal. Like saying sentences you never imagined would come out of your mouth… with the seriousness of a courtroom judge. “Do not lick the picnic table at the playground.” “We don’t pet bees.” “WHY are you handing me poop?” And then there are moments that leave you with no words at all. When all you can think is: really, this too? You just wanted two minutes alone. Not to scroll. Not to nap. Not even to breathe deeply. Just to pee. Or, in this case, more than pee. But…

December is deceptive when you have kids. It’s magical. Twinkling lights, hot cocoa, the first snow and Santa. But that’s not really winter, is it? It’s pre winter. The magic before reality hits like a Mac truck. When the tree’s gone, and the lights are packed away, real winter begins. And winter with a toddler is less “cozy season” and more survival mode. Because December lets you believe you’re the kind of mother who does winter well. You picture rosy cheeks. Little boots by the door. Maybe a wholesome outing where everyone comes back inside hungry and happy and slightly…