I see you, Mom. And your papercuts.

In the hustle of our daily chaos, I catch a glimpse of you – with tear-stained eyes, mascara smeared away, trying to conceal the pain.

"Dear strong-willed child, will you ever truly heed your mother's words? I'm saying and doing all of this to help you get out of the house faster so we can all make it on time! I've been through it, and I'm on your team! You can do this! Let's tackle one thing at a time together!"

As a Mom, you feel unheard. There's a ticking clock and the imminent feeling of losing control—it's overwhelming. You hold back and bite your tongue, but sometimes words burst out louder and harsher than intended.

You're weary of the chaos.

As you drive away from school drop-off, the cumulative effect of these minor cuts starts to bleed. The little battles over jackets, shoes, and boots – the seemingly insignificant things that accumulate like paper cuts. One or two stings, but eventually, they form a wound, and you find yourself bleeding.

I see you when tears stream down your face during your commute or you pull over to let out a good cry while blasting your favourite song – a cheesy ballad or an anthem to get you through the day. You've likely written countless notes and letters to your child, apologizing for words spoken out of frustration and disbelief.

We need to discuss more the challenges of motherhood and the hurtful moments.

Empathy is what we, as mothers, need for each other. Recognizing the shame that can accompany motherhood is crucial because we often think we're the only ones struggling. Despite our best efforts, we think we're the only ones who don’t have it all together. There's always something that inevitably goes awry.

We're bound to make mistakes constantly, both us and our children. We strive to adhere to strict schedules, times, and structures. Yet, when things go sideways, it places our child in a space of feeling blameable. I fear my daughter will replay the hurtful things she heard me say, even if they weren't the exact words. I spent 15 years doing the same, not because my mom was wrong – she was doing her best, just as I am. And I will continue to grow.

Parenting can be the most beautiful and mentally exhausting challenge we face. We need to talk about it more. We need to be okay with moments when we pull into a parking lot for a cry or go to work feeling frustrated. Taking a breath, a moment to acknowledge, "Okay, this is what's going on."

One day, they'll be grown up and out of our house. We’ll yearn for the insane mornings and beautiful chaos that once defined our lives.

Let's eliminate the shame around it because it's authentic, and every family goes through it. I have two kids, and I salute those of you with more. How do you truly do it?! We are all doing the very best we can. We can show our love to our kids 6,000 times, cuddle with them in the morning, but then we may send mixed messages when we're having freak-out moments when it’s time to get in the vehicle. It's confusing for a child, and I'm not perfect at this, but I'm trying my absolute hardest. Is this not so heart-wrenching at times? Though I’d never trade this indescribable human experience.

So, if you find yourself in this boat, know I'm right there with you. Together, we'll navigate these waters, even when it hurts. Especially when the mascara runs. I see you, Mom. I am you. And together, we’ve got this.

Let me show you how to manage those papercuts and Calm Your ADHD Mind, in just 10 minutes. This workbook will move you from frazzled to focused so you can carry on with your busy day. Go to: www.erinvogt.com/focus to grab your FREE copy today.

For any inquiries or to share your experiences, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always here to support and connect with you. Contact me at erin@erinvogt.com or visit my website. Let's keep the conversation going and work together towards a more focused and manageable day.