“We live in a social media world full of polished images of perfect families, well-behaved children, and facades of motherhood being all smiles and rainbows.
After an unplanned pregnancy, I became a single mother with no clue what to expect when it came to raising a child. All I saw were the images of familial perfection on Facebook and Instagram…
As the months have gone by since Koa was born, I found myself many times feeling as though I was a failure as a parent and honestly feeling like I’d lost my mind because my version of parenthood looked nothing like what everyone else around me was posting.
So, in the middle of one of the worst breakdowns I’ve ever had, I got my camera out and decided to help show everyone the side of parenting that isn’t broadcasted.
The Dark Side. The emotional side.
I am determined to show what the reality of parenthood can be like, even if it meant risking my social image and showing me in my mess.
I just wanted other moms and dads who go through the emotional ups and downs to know that they are not alone. That this too shall pass. And that these babies are worth every break down.
REAL LIFE: This photo is what a mommy mental breakdown looks like…
Today was one of the worst days I’ve had as a mom. I’m tired. Mentally and emotionally drained. Feeling like a failure of a mom. Feeling beyond clueless as to why my child has the world’s worst tantrums for no reason. Feeling guilty for yelling at him and even more guilty for wanting to crawl in a hole and stay there.
THIS is real life. THIS is the dark side of parenting they don’t tell you about in books. We are NOT perfect. Neither are our kids. We are human. We break down. We cry. We get frustrated. We lose our tempers. We need help. And at the end of the day, we are doing THE BEST WE KNOW HOW.”
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Sarah Van Sickle, of Knoxville, TN. Subscribe to our free email newsletter, Living Better—your ultimate guide for actionable insights, evidence backed advice, and captivating personal stories, propelling you forward to living a more fulfilling life.
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