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Now I Know Why My Mom Was Always the Last One Out the Door

2 Minute Read

By Emily Solberg

Family walking on sidewalk — Image via Emily Solberg

I used to wonder why my mom was always the last one out of the house.

I thought for a while it was because she took the longest to get ready.

I figured she sometimes waited until the last minute.

I had the suspicion she didn’t want to go out in public without her hair done or lip liner on, even though I couldn’t imagine why a mom would care so much, really.

I only recently figured out the answer, having become a mom myself.

Because while the rest of us waited outside, all bundled up in the scarves and jackets and hats she had pulled from storage, or smothered in sunscreen she had smeared on our faces while we clutched the flip-flops and swimsuits she had doled out, and rolled our eyes about how long she was taking.

Mom was filling Thermoses with hot chocolate.

And packing picnic lunches.

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And making sure the bathroom light was off.

And refilling the dog’s water bowl.

And grabbing a spare change of clothes for us just in case.

And searching through the junk drawer for a coupon.

And taking a hot minute to use the bathroom by herself for a change.

And yes, maybe dabbing on a bit of lipstick.

And whenever she did finally appear, pulling on her jacket as she locked the front door, she was always met with an exasperated, “Come OOOONNN, Mom!”

To which she would respond by shooting daggers from her eyes.

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For the longest time, I didn’t get it. She started getting ready at the same time we did!

Then I became a mom.

And it finally dawned on me that my mom wasn’t the last one out because she was lazy, or disorganized, or slow, or overly concerned about her appearance . . .

It was because she took care of absolutely everyone and everything else before she took care of herself.

And that’s just what moms do.

Originally published on the author’s Facebook page.

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Emily Solberg

Emily Solberg is a soldier, military spouse, mom of two, and fierce advocate of women supporting women. The goal of her writing is to help others feel less alone in their parenting journeys, and she isn’t afraid to share the hard parts of her own. You can find more from her over on Facebook and Instagram at Shower Arguments with Emily Solberg.

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Now I Know Why My Mom Was Always the Last One Out the Door

I used to wonder why my mom was always the last one out of the house.

RELATED: Aren’t You Tired of Trying To Do it All, Mama?

RELATED: Moms Are Strong Enough To Carry the Mental Load—But Sometimes We Need To Set it Down

For the longest time, I didn’t get it. She started getting ready at the same time we did!

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Emily Solberg

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Get It Now

So God Made a Mother

Now I Know Why My Mom Was Always the Last One Out the Door

I used to wonder why my mom was always the last one out of the house.

For the longest time, I didn’t get it. She started getting ready at the same time we did!

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

To the Mom Worrying She’s Not Doing Enough This Summer

Your Worth As a Mother Is Not Defined By How You Feed Your Baby

A Mother’s Love Doesn’t End When Her Kids Move Out

The Hardest Part of Divorce Is Being Away from My Kids

I May Let Go of the Baby Things, but I’ll Hold the Memories Forever

Mom Showed Us Love that Lasts

This Is How I’m Raising My Sensitive Son

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I Didn’t Know You Were My Last Baby When I Had You

The Invisible Pain after IVF Stops

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