In my home there is plenty of moments when I want to run away and that is why I’ve chosen to share “The Hour Mom’s Want to Run Away” or at least in my home when and why I want to run away more times than not because this is The Hour Where Everyone Needs Something and Mom Needs a Minute or two or even five minutes.
11:00 AM — The Breaking Point Hour
If 10 AM is the multitasking Olympics, then 11 AM is the hour where moms start Googling:
- “cheap cabins near me”
- “how to fake your own death”
- “can moms run away legally”
- “how long can a mom hide in the bathroom before someone notices” and in my home it isn’t long even though it seems to be David and Charlie’s hiding place and don’t bother them.
THIS is the hour where:
- Dad is “starting” the honey‑do list (translation: staring at it) because that is as far as it goes.
- Teens are “getting up” (translation: scrolling TikTok) Not in my home they don’t get up till 1 or later unless they got to work and still, they might not get up.
- Dogs are barking at absolutely nothing
- Gerald is still on the couch like it’s a full‑time job and to Gerald, I believe it is.
- C is texting from wherever he rode his bike9 ie walking)
- Bradley is asking Charlie what we’re doing today
- And Mom? Mom is trying not to scream into a dish towel
This is the hour where moms feel the weight of:
- the house
- the chores
- the errands
- the meals
- the emotions
- the schedules
- the EVERYTHING
And everyone else feels… nothing.
11:05 AM — The Honey‑Do List That Never Gets Done
Let’s talk about it.
The honey‑do list is:
- mentioned 47 times
- acknowledged once
- started never
- completed only when your sister is coming over and 9 time out of 10 not even then
- or when Dad wants something from you
You say:
“Can you fix the door?” “Can you take out the trash?” “Can you check the car?” “Can you move the boxes?” “Can you hang the shelf?” Can you hang the signs I’ve been asking to be hung since we mov ied in.
I need the EASTER decorations now. Not 10 years from now.
He says:
“I will.” “In a minute.” “After this.” “Tomorrow.” “I didn’t hear you.” “I thought you meant later.” Yeah, right. Every Tom, Dick and Harry comes first. Like I’m nothing.
Meanwhile, you’ve already:
- taken out the trash because if I don’t its going to take over the house. #Momwin steps.
- fixed the door because that is what Butter knives are for.
- moved the boxes because I’m mom and I can.
- hung the shelf it might be crooked but at least it’s done.
- and questioned your life choices always more times than not.
This is why moms drink Coffee or Sweet Tea and no, water because it’s like it’s communion.
11:15 AM — The Teen Chore Battle
Teens at 11 AM are a special breed. Actually, it’s all the time in my home. What about your home?
You say:
“Clean your room.” “Pick up your clothes.” “Do the dishes.” “Take out the trash.” “Feed the dogs.”
They say:
“In a minute.” “I was going to.” “I forgot.” “I didn’t hear you.” “I’m tired.” “I have plans.” “Why do I have to do everything?”
EVERYTHING? Baby, you haven’t done a thing since Tuesday or was it last year which in my home I think it was. What about your home?
11:20 AM — The 5-Minute “Mom Sanity Reset” (Part 2)
Because the first one wore off.
✔️ 1. Step outside for 60 seconds take the time to walk to the end of the street and log those steps take your water and for me my spirit animal Jelly Roll playing on the phone.
Fresh air fixes more than therapy sometimes.
✔️ 2. Drink water
Your body is 90% stress and 10% coffee. No, just because Coffee and Sweet Tea is made from water that doesn’t count you need Water. Plain good ol’ fashion Water.
✔️ 3. Delegate ONE thing
Not five. Not ten. ONE.
In my house if I delegate one thing per person then 4 things would be done in my home and being in a Townhome that is the whole house picked up.
✔️ 4. Put on music
Preferably something that makes you feel like a woman who could lift a car.
No, it doesn’t have to be Jelly Roll pick something you like.
✔️ 5. Say out loud:
“I am not the maid. I am not the butler. I am not the only adult here.”
Even if you are. Which more times than not it feels like I am. Do you feel that way to?
11:30 AM — The “Mom Wants to Run Away” Moment
Every mom hits it.
You look around and think:
“I love y’all, but I swear if one more person asks me something…”
I’m going to pick up a baseball bat and it’s on like Donkey Kong.
This is normal. This is motherhood. This is why God invented:
- coffee
- prayer
- drive‑thru
- hiding in the bathroom
- and the ability to ignore people for 3 minutes
11:40 AM — Teaching Moment: How to Survive 11 AM
✔️ You’re not failing
You’re overwhelmed.
✔️ You’re not alone
Every mom is one question away from losing it.
✔️ You’re not dramatic
You’re exhausted.
✔️ You’re not asking too much
You’re asking the bare minimum.
✔️ You don’t need a break
You need a reset.
✔️ You don’t need help
You need people to stop making more work.
11:50 AM — The “What’s Next?” Hour
This is the hour where moms start planning:
- lunch
- errands
- dinner
- rides
- chores
- survival
And everyone else starts planning:
- naps
- snacks
- games
- nothing
This is why moms are saints.
TEXT: 11 AM is the hour where moms want to run away. The honey‑do list isn’t done, the teens aren’t moving, the dogs are barking at nothing, and everyone needs something while Mom needs a minute.
Here’s the real 11 AM survival guide — the sanity reset, the teen chore battle, the honey‑do truth, and the reminder that you’re not failing… you’re overwhelmed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
