You might be familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which is a theory proposed by psychologist Abraham Maslow to describe the tiers of human motivation. He suggested that humans needed basic physiological needs met first, freeing us to meet our needs for safety and security, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization.

These days I’m lucky to secure three of the physiological needs for myself and my infant at the same time. So, I would like to propose a new pyramid. I give you,

A Mommy’s Hierarchy of Needs

1. Child Satisfaction Requirements to meet need include, but are not limited to: feeding, changing, rocking, walking, singing, and riding. May require the aid of hands, knees, bouncy seats, swings, dryers, vacuum cleaners, automobiles, and grandparents.
2. Sleep Not guaranteed to come in large chunks of time or between the hours of 9pm and 6am. This need trumps all others and is the first that will be met. Opportunities to meet sleep need include feeding Child in a rocking chair, sitting in waiting rooms, and around house guests.
3. Nourishment ‘Nourishment’ refers to all food stuffs, from cooked 3 course meals to snacks that can be prepared with one hand. Nourishment need may be met while simultaneously bouncing fussy child in a swing.
4. Cleanliness Cleanliness meaning washing one’s body with soap and water. Other standards of cleanliness such as washed hair, shaved legs, and clean teeth are luxuries. Cleanliness of surroundings may be met, time permitting.
5. Free Time HAHAHAHAHAHA! Seriously, on occasion the need for free time may be met. Duration not guaranteed.