Dear readers, there comes a moment in every mother’s life when the house that once echoed with laughter, arguments, school bags, and endless requests suddenly becomes quiet.
For years, motherhood has revolved around schedules, meals, homework, forgotten water bottles, and bedtime stories. Then one day, the children grow up, build lives of their own, and move away. As a mother myself, I often wonder what that phase of life feels like.
So one day, I asked my mom a simple question: “What does a typical day look like for you now?” Her answer made me smile, reflect, and quietly imagine my own future.
A Peaceful Beginning to the Day
My mother’s day begins at 4:30 in the morning. It is a habit she developed years ago when all four of her children were still in school. Even though there are no school buses to catch and no lunch boxes to pack anymore, her body clock still wakes her up before sunrise.
She starts her morning with a cup of green tea, while my father enjoys his tea. The early morning hours are her favorite. “The house is peaceful,” she told me. There was a time when mornings were chaotic. Four children meant four different schedules, endless responsibilities, and very little time for herself.
Today, she enjoys something that mothers rarely experience during their child-rearing years: silence. Not loneliness, just silence and she has learned to appreciate it.
Finding Time for Faith and Herself
My mother is a devotee of Radhasoami and often attends morning prayers on weekends. These visits provide her with a sense of peace and purpose. On prayer days, my father takes over the kitchen. Thankfully, he is a wonderful cook.
She laughed as she told me how much she enjoys those mornings when someone else handles breakfast. After decades of caring for everyone else’s needs, these small breaks feel like a reward.
The Afternoon Belongs to Her
One thing that surprised me was how much she enjoys her afternoons. For years, she barely had time to sit down, let alone watch television. Now she watches her favorite daily soaps without interruption; she particularly enjoys shows with strong female lead characters. “I never had the time earlier,” she admitted.
Motherhood often requires women to put their own interests aside for years. When children leave home, many mothers rediscover hobbies and routines they once loved. For my mother, afternoon television is not just entertainment; it represents freedom. Freedom to spend her time exactly how she wants.
The Evening Ritual Every Mother Understands
As evening approaches, my mother heads out for a walk, but she never leaves without her phone. Not because she expects an urgent call, but because she expects a call from her children.
All four of them, without fail. Every evening, she waits to hear their voices. If one of us forgets to call, she immediately starts worrying. My father often teases her for imagining the worst, but I suspect many mothers would understand exactly how she feels.
The truth is that motherhood never really ends; children may grow older, and they may move to different cities, start families of their own. But a mother’s heart continues to keep track of them every single day.
Missing the Chaos She Once Wanted to Escape
Perhaps the most touching part of our conversation was this: My mother genuinely enjoys her freedom now. She enjoys the quiet mornings, having time for herself, and being able to make plans without having to consider four different schedules.
Yet she still misses the days when we were little; she misses the noise, the mess, and having all of us under one roof. It is a contradiction many mothers experience. They spend years longing for a moment of peace, only to discover they miss the chaos once it disappears.
What Motherhood Looks Like After Children Leave Home
Listening to my mother made me realize something important. Motherhood evolves; it does not end. The daily responsibilities change, but the love remains the same.
The lunch boxes disappear, school runs stop, and homework battles become a memory, but the waiting continues. Perhaps that is the most beautiful part of being a mother.
A Little Conversation That Made Me Laugh
After sharing all of this, my mother looked over at my toddler, who was loudly demanding help because she couldn’t open a bottle cap. Then she looked at me and started laughing. “No wonder you wanted to write about my day,” she said. “I’m definitely having a better day than you!”
Honestly? She wasn’t wrong.
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This was a lovely read! And waking up at 4:30, my my! I havent woken up the last time I can remember! #honestmomconfessions
When I started reading this post, I was like – she gets up at 4.30 in the morning.. but gradually as I moved through the post I got to know about the real mom of the story. Lovely post. 🙂
The last line….LOL. My mom laughs at me too now.. and says ‘Now you will realize” (with a winning smug). Love your writing!!
This was a lovely read. I miss my mom now after reading this. I will make sure I call her more regularly.
Good to read about your mom. Right now her routine feels like the best. But when kids grow up and leave us..I am sure it’s not easy.
I was jealous the moment I read, you get up at 4.30am. ? Was secretly happy that it was your mom.
Wow… your mom gets up at 430 every morning! I really feel that gen of mothers were very tough! It’s so funny what she says in the end… Full points to her sense of humour! 🙂
Fun to read 🙂 I was wondering how can you get up at 4.30 in the morning. But then saw its your mom’s day in the post 🙂
This is such a light read, i was smiling all the way through this post, my mom is also devotee of Radhasoami and now that she’s retired, she’s having her life’s gala time. But I am her only child, so I keep bothering her now and then. And I can totally understand the evening call time part, my mom would literally shout at me if I missed calling her someday. 😀
Wow!! Even if it was already years ago wherein your mom’s kids went to school, she’s still used to waking up as early as 4:30 in the morning. And it also sounds like your mom didn’t lose her sense of humor. Hihi.
Such a lovely read. Great to know about your mom and her life. She is totally rocking it.
hehe hehe I loved reading your posts Kavita. Moms are super human beings and only they can wake up at 4:30 am for their kids. Proud to know that your father helps your mum in the kitchen and gives her the necessary break.
Ahhh..I wish to have such a day…someday..
I usually get such comments from my mom too. But do you hope I would worry for these??? Happy to read a day of her.
Your mom sounds like a rock-star. No doubt you are a crack pot yourself! And seriously – 4:30?
My baby is only 18 months old but I am already waiting for that day when I can have a calm retired life…haha! Its so lovely that you chose to showcase your mom’s life. And the way you have described her emotions when she doesn’t get a call from you..spot on! Typical moms
What a relaxing post. It just made me look forward to growing old and at the same time left me wondering how well I will handle the empty nest syndrome. ?
https://natashamusing.com/2017/08/tinas-tryst-writebravely-writetribe/
lol, she laughed at you? Well, it’s ours moms’ time to laugh at us and have some fun. It was lovely going through her day 🙂
I want to have that kind of peaceful routine 🙂
Nice take Kavita:) was good to read about your mums day! 4:30 am, is when I slew at times 🙁