Parenting isn’t for the faint of heart. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, from sheer joy to overwhelming guilt. If you’re like me, there are days when you’re convinced you’re failing at this whole parenting thing. I’ve felt it—that nagging voice in the back of my head, pointing out every time I’ve snapped too quickly, let my temper get the best of me, or rushed through another day, barely catching my breath.
Life is busy—so busy. Between work, the kids’ sports schedules, and trying to keep up with the day-to-day grind, it can feel like there’s no room to pause and just be with my children. We spend thousands on sports, trading dreams of a tropical family vacation for way to many hockey tournaments a year. Instead of relaxing on a beach somewhere, we’re jamming to loud music in the car, grabbing Starbucks on the way to the next game. Don’t get me wrong; those moments are fun. But they’re fleeting, a blur in a sea of chaos.
And then there’s the guilt. The takeout dinners because there wasn’t time to cook. The fact that I’ve never been much of a fan of Christmas and worry I’m ruining it for my kids with my bah-humbug attitude. The times I’ve questioned if I’m too strict or, conversely, not strict enough. It’s a constant mental battle, wondering if I’m doing this right or failing spectacularly.
My oldest is 18 now. He’s kind, friendly, and generous, and I’m so proud of the person he’s become. But those 18 years? They flew by faster than I ever imagined. And when I look back, I can’t help but wonder: Did I miss too many moments? Was I too busy, too distracted? Did I do enough?
Here’s the thing: Parenting is messy. It’s imperfect, and it’s okay to feel like you’re falling short sometimes. What matters most is that we keep showing up, even on the hard days. I’m learning to let go of the idea of being a "perfect mom" (spoiler: she doesn’t exist) and focus on being the mom my kids need.
Maybe they’ll remember the takeout dinners and the hockey tournaments more fondly than I do. Maybe the loud music and Starbucks stops mean more to them than I realize. And maybe—just maybe—the moments I think I missed weren’t as crucial as the love and care I’ve poured into them every single day.
If you’re feeling like a failure as a parent, know this: You’re not alone. We’re all just doing the best we can, and that’s more than enough. Keep going, keep loving, and keep showing up. At the end of the day, that’s what they’ll remember.
Parenting is hard, but I think were all doing the best we can.
Lets laugh through the chaos, Kylie
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