presence, honesty, & effort

There are days in motherhood when I feel like I’ve fallen short. Maybe I lost my patience. I forgot an appointment. I let the laundry pile up and used too much screen time. The guilt creeps in quietly, whispering that I’m not doing enough, not being enough.

I know that feeling quite well—I was a single mom. In a chapter of life that was challenging, difficult, and also a season of incredible discovery where I saw what I was capable of. That chapter of my life developed a heightened self confidence and self worth because I saw exactly how strong I am. I drew boundaries, and I showed up. I know what it’s like to carry the weight of parenting alone, to stay strong when you’re exhausted and to celebrate small wins in the middle of overwhelming days.

I showed up for my son even in moments that I was exhausted, scared, worried, or uncertain. I learned he didn’t need perfection from me, he needed presence, honesty, and effort. And he got that from me every single day.

Life looks much different now. I have the support of an incredible man—a patient, steady partner who shows up in every single way that matters, for me and for our boys. He reminds me that I’m not in this alone anymore and I never will be. That even on the hard days, we’re a team. He has truly brought countless blessings into my life.

Even still, through all of this, there will be days I fall short. Even with love and help around me, I’ll mess up. But I’m learning that grace is part of the process. My kids don’t need a perfect mom. They need a present one—one who tries, who apologizes, who keeps learning how to love better.

If you’re feeling the weight of not getting it all right, take a breath. You’re not the only one. We all fall short. But we also get to begin again. And that’s where the beauty of motherhood lies —in the grace we give ourselves and the love that keeps showing up, no matter what.