10 Dreams All Moms Have Had — and What They Mean

Few dreams are as unsettling as ones where your partner is unfaithful. But before you give your significant other the cold shoulder, hear us out. These dreams don’t necessarily point to a real-life affair. Instead, you might be dealing with some fears of abandonment, or you may be feeling neglected by your boo. Are you the one who’s unfaithful in your dream? That’s another story.

When you take a tumble in your dreams, you’re likely dealing with something stressful in waking life. Falling dreams typically reveal fears that some part of your life is going downhill. They may also echo feelings of being disgraced or losing control.

Chances are, when you dream about your teeth falling out, you’re under a lot of stress. These dreams are associated with feelings of anxiety or a sense of helplessness and lack of control. Interestingly, they might also denote “loose speech,” and could reflect your sense of regret after saying something you wish you hadn’t. That’s not all — dreams about teeth falling out may pertain to insecurities about your looks or even have a sexual connotation.

The next time you’re fleeing something in a dream, ask yourself: What are you avoiding? Many times, chase dreams stand for something we’re trying to escape or have been putting off in waking life, like an awkward conversation or impending bills. This type of dream also tends to arise during stressful times. The person or thing that’s chasing you can offer additional clues about your chase dream’s origin.

Even if you’ve been out of school for years, you might have had the experience of totally blanking during an exam in a dream. Usually these dreams coincide with stressful events or reflect your feelings of being unprepared for something in reality. In addition, they may point to shaky self-esteem or a sense of inadequacy, and might be more common among people who are prone to being hard on themselves.

Few dreams are as blush-inducing as ones where you realize you’re wildly underdressed (or maybe not dressed at all) in public. Often, dreams about nudity can mirror feelings of being unprepared, similar to the ones that inspire test-taking dreams. Some believe that dreams about nudity can also reveal feelings of shame or vulnerability. In this way, naked dreams may surface after you’ve been ridiculed in waking life. On the plus side, another common interpretation is that naked dreams expose feelings of freedom.

Dreaming about dying is usually unsettling, but according to many interpretations, there’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s believed that in dreams death represents transformation. It’s as if one part of you bites the dust and you’re reborn as a new person. If you’re yearning for a fresh start, you might dream of dying. Of course, death dreams could also reflect pent-up worries, aggression, or grief.

As a symbol, snakes are heavy with meaning. Based on Judeo-Christian tradition, snakes could be seen as representation of evil or temptation. With that, snakes generally signify something that’s bothering you. Since serpents are thought to be duplicitous, it may be that you’re feeling mentally torn about something. Alternatively, snakes could stand for someone who has double-crossed you in waking life. Another interpretation suggests that snakes have a sexual connotation, but others view snakes as a sign of renewal.

Commonly, pregnancy is thought to signify ideas or opportunities in dreams. Along those lines, giving birth can represent something new in your life, while dreaming of a difficult pregnancy could mean that you’re struggling with a project in reality. Your pregnancy dream may also surface your feelings on a romantic relationship. For example, these dreams may uncover worries about commitment or abandonment.

Good news! While many recurring dreams have negative connotations, flying dreams have largely positive associations. Taking flight often indicates that you’re feeling exhilarated about something. Conversely, your dream could be a little bit of wish fulfillment — maybe something’s tying you down in waking life, and you are breaking free in your dreams.