Being a parent is a full time job, and with that comes the good days, the so-so days, and the downright terrible days. With social media being such a major and present part of our lives, it seems like many parents use these outlets to showcase their “good” parenting days, but just those days only. While all of us know this isn’t the reality of any parenting situation, it can sometimes be discouraging to see families who look like they have it all together while you’re slowly falling apart.
Sarah Cottrell is a mother of three who has decided to break this cycle by sharing the more challenging sides of parenthood on Facebook.
Sarah posted a photo of herself looking exasperated with one of her children bundled up on her chest. “This is me. Right now. Trying not to pull my hair out. I have been trying to finish the laundry I started yesterday and do the dishes (we don't have a dishwasher because I AM THE DISHWASHER.) My oldest son is bouncing off the walls (literally, there is a frigging dent in the wall), my middle wild child just bonked his head while spelunking in the linen closet and now has an ice pack on his developing egg, and the baby - pictured here - is either starting to teeth or is testing out the theory that if she screams loud enough and for long enough that I will actually cry. CRY.”
She goes on to explain that she’s barely been able to get anything done around her house, let alone take a shower. She admits that she doesn’t feel “blessed” at all, but in fact feels extremely “frustrated and tired”.
“But that's what parenting is, right? It's this crazy journey that is mostly rewarding but pock marked by sh*tty days like this one. These are the if-it-doesnt-kill-you kind of days. I file these moments away in my heart for when I need to remind myself that I am only one person. Like every other mom, I am trying my best to do this right. And I totally screw it up at least a dozen times a day.”
Sarah’s post sheds light on the reality of parenting and the challenges every mom faces. Not every day is perfect, and some days are so much harder than others. However, all these tough days make that good ones that much sweeter.
She ends her post by saying she still feels like the day is “a win”, because she’s trying her best and ultimately, she loves her kids.
“I won't ever color neatly inside the lines of motherhood, but I love my kids with all my heart. And right now while the sink is full of dirty dishes, at least one kid is whining, and I smell faintly of pee and spit up (don't ask) that big feeling of love is all I got.”
What do you think about Sarah’s parenting post?
