8 Apologies Every Mom Should Make

Ever since I became a mom, it feels like I’m auditioning for a B-movie every single day. It’s like there are cameras rolling, capturing my every misstep. Just the other day, after a particularly intense scolding in the car, I turned to my brother in the passenger seat and whispered with a chuckle, “I have no idea what I’m doing!”

But one thing I do know is how to say sorry. Between the working-mom guilt, raising my voice, and the occasional unintentional shove (I promise it was with love!), I find myself crouching down to meet my little one’s big brown eyes and saying, “Mama is sorry.” I own my mistakes, we move on, and sometimes I forget that I need to apologize to some important parts of my life that have taken a backseat since becoming a parent. So, let’s dive in.

Dear Breasts,

Oh, my lovely little friends—remember when you were full and perky, living your best life in a B cup? Good times, right? Then came the baby who turned that joy into a feeding frenzy. I’m sorry for sacrificing your glory days for nourishment. You deserve some love! How about we hit up Victoria’s Secret for a little shopping spree? We might not reclaim that B cup, but we can still have an A-plus time together.

Dear TV Shows Post-2010,

I apologize for not being able to binge-watch your greatness. I know “Homeland,” “House of Cards,” and “Justified” are amazing, but can you please stop reminding me? I’ll catch up someday, even if it’s when we’re downloading shows straight to our brains!

Dear Memory,

What was I saying again? (Sniffs.) Sorry, I can’t seem to recall…

Dear Car Floor,

I’m cough sorry for the mess! Every day, my car floor becomes a crumb battlefield thanks to my kid’s messy snacking. I can’t even remember what color you were! But I promise, it will get better one day.

Dear Magazines,

I see you there, waiting patiently, filled with beautiful words. I haven’t forgotten you! Someday, I’ll find a moment to flip through your pages again—even if it’s years from now in the bathroom.

Dear Friends Without Kids,

I apologize for repeating stories because I can’t remember who I’ve told them to. And double sorry if you were there when it happened! I’m a storyteller, but sometimes I drop the ball on keeping track of my own tales.

Dear Sleep,

You are the love of my life that I’ve neglected. I’m sorry for not fighting harder for you each day. Someday, we’ll reunite, and I’ll enjoy your sweet embrace again.

Dear Husband’s… You Know,

I’d apologize, but honestly, this is all your fault.

So there it is—my heartfelt apologies to the pieces of my life that need a little love. Parenting is a wild ride, but it’s also a wonderful journey. If you want to dive deeper into topics around growing your family, check out this post on our other blog for more insights. And for those on a fertility journey, Make a Mom has great resources, along with WebMD for understanding your options.

In summary, being a mom means navigating a bunch of challenges, and sometimes you just need to own your slips and say sorry—to yourself and to the things you love.