Some days just wear you down, don’t they? You know the ones—where you feel like you’ve been hit by a truck, second-guessing every decision, and all you want to do is curl up under the covers. Today was one of those days for me. Between battling a nasty cold, the chaos of the election, and the endless chatter in my mind, I felt like my head would explode any minute. All I craved was the comfort of my bed and some TLC.
But let’s be real—life doesn’t take a break when mom is feeling under the weather. Responsibilities keep piling up, and the world keeps spinning, no matter how crummy I feel. So, with the day I had, I braced myself for what typically turns into a mom-meltdown kind of evening. My husband was stuck at work, the babysitter canceled (she’s sick too), and I had to drag my kids along to a church meeting. Dinner? Forget it. We had nothing in the fridge, and time was definitely not on my side. I started feeling like I was failing at life.
Usually, when I’m overwhelmed, I put on a brave face and pretend everything’s fine. I push through with a smile, but that often leads to me losing it over something trivial, like dinner prep or nagging the kids about their homework for the umpteenth time. But tonight, I decided to take a different approach.
Instead of pretending, I turned to my kids and said, “Hey, I really need your help tonight. I’m not feeling great. I know you’d rather not go to this meeting, and honestly, neither do I. But here we are. I have a lot to do, and I just need you two to cooperate—do your homework and be nice to each other. Please don’t make me look bad at this meeting. I’m counting on you because I’m hanging on by a thread.”
Surprisingly, they stepped up. Maybe it was the extra tablet time I granted them at the meeting or the promise of McDonald’s shakes afterward, but they actually came through. They didn’t fight (well, mostly), and they didn’t embarrass me too badly. When we got home, they even helped out more than I expected.
They brought me drinks—water, coffee, juice, and lemonade—and even folded the laundry. I overheard my youngest asking their dad where to put my bras, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. They even made me a sweet little card and managed to brush their teeth and get to bed on time—miracles do happen!
The takeaway here? We don’t need to wear the martyr badge when it comes to parenting. It’s perfectly okay to ask for help and let our kids support us. We can take a breather without everything falling apart. Showing our vulnerability doesn’t make us weak; it makes us human.
So, fellow parents, let’s remember it’s alright to let our kids see us struggle. It’s okay to say, “I can’t handle this right now,” and to mix family duties with work obligations now and then. It’s absolutely fine to retreat to bed early or leave the dishes in the sink. It’s okay to admit we’re unsure or overwhelmed. We can be both strong and vulnerable at the same time.
It’s okay to say, “I feel awful,” and it’s definitely okay to ask for help. Everything will work out in the end.
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Summary:
In the midst of challenging days, it’s important for parents to acknowledge their struggles and seek help from their kids. By being open about our needs, we can foster cooperation and support within our families. Embracing our vulnerabilities not only strengthens our relationships but also reminds us that asking for assistance is not a sign of weakness.