05/10/2026
Happy Mother’s Day 💛
I was recently asked what the most challenging role of my life has been, and immediately the answer was: Motherhood.
While it has also been the most rewarding role beyond words, it has equally been one of the hardest. I can’t acknowledge one without the other because both are part of the experience.
There’s no real way to prepare someone for motherhood. Every child, every mother, every circumstance is unique. People can offer guidance, advice, support… but nothing truly prepares you for what it asks of you.
Nothing prepared me for all the additional roles I would have to step into, especially as a mother of children with complex medical needs. Beyond simply being “Mom,” I had to learn how to be an advocate, researcher, support worker, scheduler, coordinator, document everything, navigate systems, attend appointments, and constantly adapt. All while carrying the invisible weight of feeling like I was somehow still falling short.
And through all of that, I was still trying to heal myself too.
There have been moments I’ve had to forgive myself. Moments I’ve had to give myself grace. And moments where I’ve had to force myself to stop and acknowledge that I’ve actually done a damn good job. None of those things came naturally or easily.
Another challenge I never expected was losing myself in the process. For years I thought abandoning myself was part of being a “good mother.” I wore pouring from an empty cup like it was something noble, something to be proud of.
It’s only been in the later years that I realized self-sacrifice at the expense of yourself isn’t healthy for anyone. If I could go back and speak to my younger self, I would tell her to honour herself too. To let her children see what self-love, boundaries, rest, joy, and self-care actually look like.
Because the truth is, when you make yourself a priority, you are so much more able to show up fully as a mother.
The beautiful thing is, it’s never too late. I have the opportunity now to do things differently, and I get to share that wisdom with other mothers too. Your wellness matters. Your health matters. Your dreams matter. And it’s just as important for your children to witness you pouring into yourself as it is for them to witness you pouring into others.
As challenging as motherhood has been, it has also given me the greatest gifts of my life — my children, deeper compassion, resilience, and the strength to keep showing up better each day. Not just for them, but for myself too.
Today I celebrate all mothers, nurturers, caregivers, bonus moms, grandmothers, and the women who hold so much for others every single day. đź’›
I see you in the quiet sacrifices, the strength no one talks about, the love you continue to give even on the hard days, and the moments where you kept showing up despite being exhausted.
I also see the women learning to hold themselves with that same love and care too.
To every woman nurturing others, healing, growing, guiding, protecting, supporting, and loving the best way they know how — today is for you.
Happy Mother’s Day 💛