4 Honest Thoughts I Had as a Mom This Week—and Why We’re Not Alone
Motherhood is filled with precious moments, but sometimes, it can feel like a journey paved with guilt, self-doubt, and loneliness. As a mama to four little ones, I’ve had my fair share of thoughts that weigh heavy on my heart. This week, I wanted to share four things I thought—because if you’ve ever felt this way too, I want you to know you’re not alone.
1. I Never Spend Enough 1:1 Time with My Kids
Between work, household chores, and the endless list of responsibilities, it’s hard to carve out that dedicated one-on-one time with each child. I feel like they’re all missing out on the attention they deserve, and I worry that I’m failing them. The reality is that our time is finite, but our love is infinite. My husband often reminds me that they don’t remember the minutes we spent but the love we poured into those moments. Still, it’s hard to shake that feeling that I should be doing more.
2. I’m Not Worthy of Their Love and Forgiveness
This thought hits hard. I think back to the times I was frustrated, moments I wasn’t as patient as I wanted to be, and the occasional “mom fail” that every parent knows too well. And sometimes, I wonder how my kids still look at me with such unconditional love. My husband tells me that their love is a gift, not something we have to earn. Yet, some days, that thought just feels too big to accept.
3. I’m a Hypocrite—I Expect Their Best, Even When I Don’t Give Mine
As a mom, I want my kids to grow up with values, integrity, and kindness. I ask them to be their best selves, to be patient and forgiving. And then I look at myself, realizing that I don’t always live up to these same expectations. I wonder if I’m being hypocritical for expecting things from them that I sometimes struggle with myself. But, maybe that’s part of the human experience—we’re all works in progress, doing the best we can.
4. Why Doesn’t This Feel Easier? Why Am I Always Dealing with Tantrums and Arguments?
I often think, “Shouldn’t I have figured this out by now?” There are days when it feels like I’m constantly breaking up arguments, soothing tantrums, and reminding them (for the hundredth time) to put their shoes on. I wonder why this season of life feels so exhausting. And then, I remind myself that motherhood is a marathon, not a sprint. The hard days are just a piece of the larger picture, and we’re allowed to feel tired.
So How am I Dealing With These Thoughts?
My Husband Reminds Me: I’m Too Hard on Myself - Sometimes I share these thoughts with my husband, and he’s quick to remind me that my standards for myself as a mom are higher than anyone else’s. He says one of the things he loves about me is how I go above and beyond for our family. Yet, those negative thoughts creep in daily, making it hard to see what he sees, (how lucky I am to have a wise husband).
When Self-Doubt Takes Over, I Do My Best to Push Through - I try to acknowledge these thoughts, letting them pass through without dwelling too long. Some days, I challenge them with positive affirmations, reminding myself that I’m enough, that my kids love me for who I am. Other days, the doubts swallow me whole, and I feel overwhelmed with the anxiety of never being “enough.”
If You Feel This Way, Too—You’re Not Alone
Motherhood can feel isolating, especially when we carry these thoughts around. But if any of these thoughts resonate with you, I want you to know that you’re not alone. You’re a mother who cares, who worries, and who gives endlessly. That love you pour into your children? It matters. And just like my husband reminds me, we’re doing better than we think.
So here’s to us—the imperfect, loving, ever-trying moms who are harder on ourselves than we should be.
You are not alone in this journey, and you are more than enough!
If you want to learn more about how I have integrated affirmations into my life and why they are scientifically proven to improve our lives I have a whole blog post about it here :)
