How Becoming a Mom Changed My Perspective on Time

I have always valued efficiency – rearranging my daily schedule to complete the most tasks in the least amount of time.

I also have always put a lot of self-worth into productivity.

I got my undergraduate degree and masters in four years because, well, it seemed like an efficient and productive thing to do (not to mention exhausting).

Before the lullabies and morning cuddles, my relationship with time felt like a carefully drawn blueprint.

Days were sketched with ambitious goals, and every tick of the clock was a reminder to chase the grand scheme of things.

And then I became a mom.

And motherhood, with its whirlwind of emotions and experiences, turned that blueprint into a vivid, ever-changing painting.

No longer was time just about chasing big dreams; it became about cherishing fleeting moments, finding unexpected joys, and understanding that sometimes the most profound memories are crafted in the mundane rituals of the everyday (and sometimes a coffee break too).

Time Before Motherhood: Grand Schemes and Big Dreams

In my pre-motherhood days, life felt like a million open doors.

My days were shaped by long-term goals, and every decision seemed to be a stepping stone towards some distant objective.

I remember my husband and I, newly married, filling out a giant excel sheet of our next five year goals from finances to family to travel.

I’d meticulously plan weekends, vacations, career moves, always with an eye on the future.

In many ways, this forward-looking approach meant I was continuously sprinting, trying to get to the next big thing.

While this ambition was invigorating, it also meant overlooking the beauty of small moments in an effort to reach the next big thing.

The Fleeting Nature of Time with a Child

Becoming a mom introduced me to an entirely new understanding of time.

Days that once seemed long and leisurely suddenly felt much shorter, marked by the quick progression of my child’s growth and development.

One day, postpartum and a little bit scared, I had a newborn in my arms, and before I knew it, she was crawling around my legs, babbling nonstop, and climbing every piece of furniture we have.

I distinctly remember an evening when I was going through some old pictures (you know it goes, after you put your baby to bed and you immediately look at pictures of them), and the stark difference between photos taken just months apart was striking.

There was a picture of my baby, swaddled and sleeping, and a blink of an eye later, another one of them trying to stand, holding onto furniture for support.

Time doesn’t pause, especially with a child in tow.

As days turned into months, I began to stop saying, “I can’t wait until.” I can’t wait until she can sit up on her own. I can’t wait until she sleeps through the night. I can’t wait until she can talk.

I began to find joy in the here and now. Because if there is anything I have learned from the hard moments of motherhood is that they are just that: moments.

During the four month sleep regression I thought I might never sleep again (and that I might cry more than my baby does). But then, we got through it. Like we always do. Nothing lasts forever.

Each day with my child was filled with numerous little moments – moments of learning, of bonding, of overcoming small challenges.

A simple playtime session or a walk in the park was brimming with observations and experiences.

While the clock seemed to tick as it always had, the content and quality of each hour had profoundly changed, becoming more meaningful and memorable and less rushed.

Efficiency vs. Joy in Delays

Before motherhood, efficiency was my watchword. Every task had its place, and any delay felt like a setback.

Yet, with a child, the unexpected became the norm. There were countless times I’d meticulously plan our day, only for it to be delightfully derailed by you name it – a blow out, a skipped nap, a traffic jam.

I remember my mom saying, “Everything takes longer with a baby. They force us to slow down. And that is a good thing.”

I was reminded of Proverbs 19:21 (CSB) which says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

My plans, no matter how well-intentioned, were often superseded by life’s spontaneous moments, which I soon realized were God’s gentle reminders.

It became clear that I wasn’t in full control, and there was a deep peace in that realization.

While we can make plans, it’s ultimately God who decides the course of events.

Being Productive with a New Definition

In my pre-motherhood days, productivity was measured by tasks ticked off from a to-do list and strict deadlines met.

But since becoming a mom, my understanding of productivity has transformed.

It’s no longer just about how much I achieve in a day but the quality and significance of the moments I spend.

I used to view an uninterrupted day at work as the pinnacle of productivity. Now, you wouldn’t believe what I can get done in just a 1 hour nap time.

Alongside this evolving view of productivity, my appreciation for the everyday has deepened. What I might have once deemed mundane or routine now becomes a spot for cherished memories.

And don’t get me wrong. Bad days still happen. Most days I am still very ready for bedtime.

But I am learning to find joy in the early mornings and long afternoons because I know that all too soon my baby will no longer be a baby and my season of life will change.

Recognizing What Truly Matters

As the days unfold and my daughter’s curiosities expand, the essence of what truly matters is becoming more and more clear.

My focus shifts from chasing the “perfect” routines to actively being present in the mundane daily grind (sometimes this requires me deleting social media).

Loving each other, loving our neighbors and loving God, emerges as the cornerstone of our daily lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (CSB) says, “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

This verse lays it out really simply.

It doesn’t have to be grand or elaborate to be meaningful; it’s about the daily acts—how I respond to challenges in real-time and the values I prioritize in the present.

As we have become increasingly aware of how quickly (yet slowly) time moves with a child, my husband and I have been working on establishing family rhythms that both honor God and illustrate the Gospel to our daughter.

Practices like beginning our day with gratitude, taking moments to pray together, or serving others as a family is becoming central to our daily lives.

These aren’t just routines; they’re our intentional ways of showing my children the love of Christ in tangible, daily acts.

I am far from perfect and have much to learn but already I have found so much freedom in surrendering my schedule to God.

The conscious effort to fill each day with God’s love and His Word is reshaping our family dynamics here and now.

It helps me focus on what’s essential: loving deeply, living according to God’s will, and making sure that every day stands as a testament to the Gospel’s transformative power.

Final Thoughts

In the roller coaster of motherhood, time’s elastic stretch seems to play tricks on us—sometimes racing, sometimes pausing for breath.

Motherhood has reshaped my views on time, priorities, and productivity in the most delightful ways.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Time may fly, especially when you’re hunting down a mischievous sock or navigating the great playroom earthquake, but it’s the heartbeats and giggles in between that make it all worthwhile.

Cheers to the unpredictable, joy-filled journey of motherhood!