A Mother’s Day Reality Check

Mother’s Day didn’t go quite how I pictured it this year.

Then again, a lot of days don’t.

When you’re parenting through medical needs, emotional regulation struggles, and just the everyday unpredictability of life, these "special" days come with a lot of pressure—and not always a lot of peace.

This year, like many others, had its rough edges. Meltdowns. Fatigue. Dysregulation. A few moments where I had to step away and breathe through the overwhelm. Not exactly the dreamy, Pinterest-perfect version of Mother’s Day we’re sold.

But here’s what I’m learning: just because a day is hard doesn’t mean it’s without beauty.

We changed gears. We let go of the plan. We set up the sprinkler in the yard, and the kids ran through the water, giggling. We ate popsicles on the porch, sticky and happy. We found the sweet spots in the middle of the chaos.

That’s been motherhood for me lately—messy, emotional, unexpected, and real. It’s not always Instagram-worthy. It’s not always calm or easy. But it’s ours. And within the hard, there are moments of light that remind me just how lucky I am to be their mom.

Even on the tough days.

Especially on the tough days.