05/09/2026
The other day, I made the mistake of attempting a 4:30 p.m. Costco trip with both kids.
We were almost done shopping when they both suddenly had to use the bathroom *immediately*. At that point, I was tired, overstimulated, thinking about what I’d make for dinner, and just wanted to get everybody home. I could feel myself getting irritated internally, even though I was trying not to show it.
So we made the bathroom stop. I helped little hands, answered 47 (thousand) questions, and mentally ran through everything I still needed to do that night.
As we were leaving, an older woman stopped me and said, “You’re such a sweet and patient mom. You’re doing a really good job.”
Honestly, it caught me off guard because in my head, I didn’t feel particularly patient. I felt frazzled.
It made me realize how often moms are grading themselves against an impossible standard while their kids are simply experiencing love, comfort, and someone showing up for them again and again.
The things that feel small and ordinary to us are the things building their childhood.
So this is your Mother’s Day reminder from one mom to another: You are doing far better than you think you are.
Happy Mother’s Day to the moms in the thick of it right now 🫶🏻
