Parenting can undoubtedly push us to our limits. There are moments when we completely lose our cool, and while our reactions may differ, that feeling is something every parent can relate to. It’s the breaking point we all reach, often exacerbated by outside pressures such as financial worries, relationship troubles, or workplace stress—issues that have nothing to do with our children but can severely test our patience and empathy.
Today was that day for me.
I lost my temper. After a night of no sleep, everyone woke up in a foul mood. The baby decided to launch his breakfast onto the floor, the dog had an accident, my toddler turned the kitchen into a milk slip-and-slide, and just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, my oldest rummaged through her drawers, declaring every outfit “too terrible” to wear.
Finally, after everyone was dressed, I realized my car keys were missing. As I searched for them, the boys ventured into the muddy sandbox, getting covered in dirt just moments after I had put fresh clothes on them. While I was dealing with that chaos, a well-meaning neighbor knocked to share religious news, and my oldest opened the door—letting the dogs escape.
As I juggled wrangling the dogs while politely declining to continue the conversation, the baby, now naked, paraded onto the porch, tossing his snacks around in delight. After finally getting everyone back inside, I took stock of the situation. There was no way we were making it out on time, and frankly, no one was in a state to face the outside world.
Then came the phone call from my husband: he suspected our bank account had been compromised. On top of that, my grandpa was hospitalized. At that point, I truly lost it. There was yelling, cursing, and tears—I even slammed a door. In that moment of anger, I declared the entire day a bust.
Once the initial frustration faded, guilt crept in. As mothers, we often wear the cloak of guilt, feeling terrible for yelling or losing our composure. We envision our little ones’ wide eyes filling with tears, and our hearts ache, knowing that we are the ones who have disappointed them. We push through the day, feeling like awful parents while simultaneously trying to keep everything together.
I was desperate for my kids to nap, to regain my sanity, but they resisted fiercely, and once again, I reached my breaking point. More tears escaped, and I swiped them away while figuring out dinner and bath time, all the while trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy.
Finally, after baths, we cuddled up to read a bedtime story, their heads resting on my lap, smelling like their favorite shampoo. In that quiet moment, love washed over me, and I longed for a fresh start tomorrow. I wanted to make it up to them, bring joy back into our home, and let go of the burdens of bills and daily stress.
We are human. We mess up. We apologize sincerely because we want our children to learn that it’s okay to make mistakes and to own them. It’s crucial for them to see us vulnerable, to understand that everyone has tough days—even moms.
Yes, we all lose our tempers sometimes. We feel guilty about it, but we must own our actions, even when we’re still upset. That’s motherhood—an endless cycle of losing it, feeling broken, and then being rebuilt by hope for a new day. Our children will be okay, and so will we.
If you’re seeking guidance on similar topics, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination, and remember, you’re not alone in this journey. For more information on navigating parenthood, explore insights from experts in the field, like those found at Make A Mom and Kindbody.
In conclusion, remember that even the best parents have difficult days. What matters is how we rise from them.