It’s not uncommon for people to take aim at moms who share their parenting stories. They say we overshare, they shout “exploitation!” and call us self-absorbed chroniclers of our lives, flooding the internet with sugary clichés.
Maybe they’re right—sometimes.
But for me, writing about my journey, both as a parent and as an individual, is all about finding connection. In those early, chaotic days of motherhood, I remember sitting on my kitchen floor, clad only in my pajamas, sobbing alongside my fussy newborn, feeling completely overwhelmed and lost. It was like being hit by a bus—The Bus of Motherhood, to be exact. Those initial months were anything but poetic; they were tough. What got me through was connecting with other moms, whether through support groups, playdates, or online forums. The power of shared words lifted me when I felt unable to stand.
I could easily fill pages recounting the challenging moments of parenting that took me by surprise. While being a mom can be an incredible experience, it is also riddled with difficulties. The daily grind of nurturing small humans—who would rather binge on potato chips and screen time than eat vegetables or do chores—is exhausting.
Let’s keep it real: the sleep deprivation from caring for my newborn was brutal. Yes, breastfeeding was rewarding, but it left me completely drained by day’s end. I’ve cried over meals my kids rejected, longed for a day without dealing with messes, and shed tears as they grew and I lost my patience. Some days, I just wanted to escape to a coffee shop and forget about being a mom for a little while. Not because I don’t adore my kids, but because I felt utterly lost in how to support them. Band-aids, snacks, and bedtime routines didn’t always fix what was bothering them.
There’s a saying, often misattributed to Plato, that goes, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” This is especially true for parents. In casual encounters—whether at school drop-off, sports events, or even during shopping trips—what you see is just the surface. You might witness a parent struggling with a tantrum or a nervous child starting kindergarten, but you rarely see the moments that truly test their strength. The trips to the child psychiatrist, the confusing meetings with teachers, or the challenging conversations that leave parents feeling utterly defeated.
I share my parenting experiences, but the hardest stories are often the ones I keep private. They aren’t about the umpteenth diaper I changed or the latest meltdown in the store; they delve into much deeper struggles—those vast chasms I navigate daily as I try to keep my family afloat. I remind myself that many other parents are crossing their own shaky bridges, their fingers gripping tightly as they guide their children through similar challenges. We are all engaged in our own battles, and while they may be invisible, they are very much real.
In those early dark days with my firstborn, I learned that motherhood would inevitably bring tears—something I’ve found to be true in both joyful and tough moments. The challenges I faced back then, like endless nursing sessions and public crying fits, seem minor compared to the heart-wrenching decisions I face now. The feeling of being lost, of wishing for a grown-up to step in and take over, never fully fades; it just transforms.
To anyone out there grappling with your own invisible struggles, I want you to know—you are not alone. I understand the weight of those forms, the anxiety of emails from teachers, the tension in waiting rooms, and the urge to collapse in tears after leaving your child’s room because you’re unsure how to help them. I may not see your battles, but I stand with you in solidarity.
Even if I don’t always share it.
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Summary:
Navigating the complex world of motherhood is often filled with both joyful and painful moments. While many parents share their experiences, the hardest battles often remain unsaid to protect their children’s privacy. This article emphasizes the importance of connection among parents facing their challenges, reminding us that we are all engaged in similar struggles, even if they are not visible to the outside world.