Motherhood is Hard AF (and You’re Not Doing It Wrong)

Here’s the truth nobody puts on Instagram: motherhood is hard. Like, really hard. The kind of hard where you wonder how something so full of love can also be so exhausting, messy, and overwhelming all at the same time.

You love your kids more than anything — but some days, you also really love the idea of five uninterrupted minutes in the bathroom. (Let’s be honest, even two minutes would feel like a spa retreat.) You look forward to bedtime, or a sleepover at the grandparents’ — and you’re not wrong for it (or alone in it).

The myth of “having it all together”

There’s this unspoken expectation that moms should be endlessly patient, perfectly organized, and enjoying every second of it (don’t forget NOT to blink!) But real life sometimes looks more like wearing clothes that are forever stained with spit-up, having cereal for dinner, and hoping the teacher doesn’t notice that permission slip was definitely signed with a crayon.

Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual, and no one has it all figured out — no matter how put-together they seem on Instagram or at school drop-off.

Why it feels so heavy sometimes

Because it is heavy. Motherhood often means carrying the mental load of a thousand invisible tasks: doctor’s appointments, grocery lists, remembering which kid only eats the crusts cut off, and keeping track of when the last load of laundry actually made it out of the washer. It’s no wonder you feel stretched thin.

And on top of that? You’re still a whole person with your own feelings, dreams, and needs — needs that often get shoved to the bottom of the list. And that’s not sustainable.

You’re allowed to find it hard

Here’s the part we don’t hear enough: it’s okay if this feels overwhelming. It doesn’t mean you don’t love your kids. It doesn’t mean you’re not a good mom. It means you’re human. Being a mom is one of the most demanding jobs there is — and it’s totally normal to need support.

Finding small moments of relief

You might not be able to change the chaos, but you can build in little breaths of calm. Step outside for five minutes. Blast your favorite song in the car (if your kids allow it). Say yes when someone offers help (because people actually want to help, even if we forget that).

And most importantly — give yourself permission to not do it all perfectly, all of the time. Sometimes being “good enough” is more than enough.

Final thoughts

Motherhood is beautiful and messy and exhausting and wonderful — all at the same time. If you’re feeling stretched too thin, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to power through it in silence. Even superheroes need a break… and moms are basically superheroes in yoga pants.

💡 At Morrow Therapeutics, I support mothers navigating the challenges, joys, and complexities of parenthood. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure, you don’t have to face it alone. Together, we can build support, coping strategies, and confidence as you navigate motherhood.