When Life Makes Me Feel Like a Not-So-Great Mom

home insemination Kit

Recently, my partner and I had a minor catastrophe: we forgot to pay our rent. We had just settled into our new apartment and, just a week later, we whisked ourselves away for a five-day camping trip. In the midst of all this chaos, rent slipped our minds completely. My partner called me in a frenzy, urging me to pay before it was too late, but I had no idea where our checks were stashed, nor could I recall our account number. Panic set in, and to make matters worse, my 3 and 4-year-olds decided this was the perfect moment to unleash their inner tornadoes—fighting over the TV remote and causing a ruckus that would test the patience of a saint.

I snapped at them. It wasn’t my intention, and I certainly didn’t mean to, but my mind was racing with worry, and unfortunately, I directed my frustration at them. I wish I could claim this was the first time life’s pressures have influenced my parenting, but alas, it’s not.

Like everyone, I’m just a human being who messes up. I have a tendency to magnify even the smallest of problems into monumental disasters. You know, the kind that could rival a movie plot where the President needs saving from a volcano—cue Bill Pullman and Will Smith. Because of my knack for viewing life through a distorted lens, my stress often seeps into how I parent.

When anxiety about an upcoming event creeps in, I find myself distracted and not fully present with my kids. If my partner and I have had a disagreement, my patience wears thin with the little ones. And during times of tragedy, my enthusiasm for my son’s antics might take an unexpected nosedive.

It’s hard to admit this because I aspire to be that perfect parent who provides all the emotional support and shields my kids from life’s harsh realities. Yet, I’m just not wired that way, because, spoiler alert—I’m not perfect. I tend to overthink and blur the lines between my roles as a woman, wife, friend, and mother.

While I’m not proud of these moments, I do acknowledge them. Recognizing the issue makes it easier to navigate. On good days, I can take a deep breath and compartmentalize whatever life event is stealing my focus. I can remind myself that I’ll revisit my worries after the kids are asleep, but for now, they need a mom who isn’t weighed down by life’s burdens.

Of course, not every day is a good one. There are days when the weight of life feels overwhelming, and I end up snapping—like that frustrating morning when I was clueless about rent. On those tough days, I make it a point to apologize to my kids. I explain, in a way they can grasp, that Mommy’s had a challenging day and hasn’t been the best version of herself. I tell them that I’m human and that I’ll strive to do better. They might not grasp the full scope of my words, but they learn that it’s okay to admit mistakes and extend grace when someone says they’re sorry. My little one will wrap his arms around me and say, “We forgive you, Mom.”

I’m not invincible. Life’s ups and downs stir my emotions, and they inevitably affect my parenting. Yet, I’m doing my best. On days when my efforts fall short, I remind my kids that I’m just a person, and I apologize while promising to improve. This is what adults do, and it’s a lesson I hope my kids carry with them.

If you’re navigating similar challenges, you might find helpful insights in our other blog posts about home insemination at intracervicalinsemination.com. For reliable resources on pregnancy and home insemination, check out Cleveland Clinic’s guide as well as the authority on this topic, Make a Mom.

Summary:

Parenting can feel overwhelming, especially when life throws unexpected challenges our way. It’s natural to snap when stressed, but recognizing these moments helps us grow. Apologizing to our children teaches them valuable lessons about emotions, forgiveness, and the imperfections of being human.