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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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Being a mom just what moms do Kids last one out mom mom life Motherhood

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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I Lost My Daughter on Mother’s Day: 3 Truths I’m Believing Today

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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

These Holy Small Things

The Pressure to Do Everything “Right” Is Crushing Us

Letting You Go Is Still So Hard

Behind Every Smiling Graduate Is a Mother Letting Go

Life Lessons from My Grown Children

As a Medical Mom, I Measure Growth Differently

Hannah Harper Is Every Mom with Babies in Her Arms and a Dream In Her Heart

Watching Your Children Build the Life You Prayed For Is Beautiful

I Lost My Daughter on Mother’s Day: 3 Truths I’m Believing Today

If You Give a Mom a Bouquet…

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