Reflection: Mum Energy

Reflection: Mum Energy

One of the biggest surprises about becoming an older mum isn’t the school runs, the packed lunches or the endless toy explosions across the living room.

It’s the energy gap.

My daughter wakes up every morning as though someone has quietly plugged her into the mains overnight. Before I’ve even had my first sip of coffee, she’s asking questions, inventing games, dancing around the kitchen and planning adventures.

Meanwhile, I’m wondering if my coffee can be administered intravenously.

Some days it makes me laugh. Other days it makes me question whether I’m somehow doing motherhood wrong.

But here’s what I’ve realised.

My job isn’t to match her energy.

It’s to match her love.

Children don’t keep score of how many imaginary games we played or whether we managed every Pinterest-worthy activity. They remember feeling safe. They remember being listened to. They remember cuddles on the sofa, reading one more story, laughing at silly jokes and knowing someone was always in their corner.

As women in midlife, many of us are navigating careers, perimenopause, ageing parents, relationships and the invisible mental load that never seems to switch off. It’s understandable that we don’t bounce out of bed with the enthusiasm of a six-year-old.

And that’s okay.

Being an older mum has taught me that presence matters more than perfection.

Some days I’m the energetic mum who joins in the dancing.

Other days I’m cheering from the sofa with a cup of tea in my hand.

Both versions of me are enough.

If you’re reading this while running on empty, know this: your children don’t need a superhero. They need you, exactly as you are.

Because love isn’t measured in energy levels.

It’s measured in showing up, even on the days when your own battery is flashing red. ❤️