Parenting is hard. There’s no way around it. Some days, it feels like you’re running on fumes, trying to keep up with everyone’s needs while barely managing your own. Whether you’re facing financial stress, mental health struggles, or just the overwhelming exhaustion of raising little humans, you are not alone.
Struggling through parenthood doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human. And while there’s no magic fix, there are ways to navigate the tough seasons while still showing up for your kids (and yourself).
In this post, I’ll share real-life strategies for parenting when you’re struggling, because let’s be honest—sometimes, survival mode is all we can manage.
And before you start thinking, “Wow, she’s incredible for managing all this content while being a full-time mom,” let me be real with you—I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been interrupted just trying to write this post.
Parenting When You’re Struggling
It’s easy to push through the motions of parenting without realizing how much you’re mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. But ignoring the signs of struggle doesn’t make them disappear—it delays the crash.
Here are some common signs that you may be struggling more than you realize:
- You feel constantly overwhelmed—like you’re drowning in responsibilities.
- Small things set you off—you snap at your kids over things that wouldn’t normally bother you.
- Exhaustion feels never-ending—no amount of sleep seems to make a difference.
- You withdraw from loved ones—parenting feels isolating and reaching out seems exhausting.
- You feel guilty all the time—whether it’s for not being patient enough, fun enough, or ‘good’ enough.
If you find yourself nodding along to any of these, you are not alone. Parenting through struggle is tough, but there are ways to lighten the load.
I can’t even count how many times a day my husband and I look at each other and say, “It’s okay. It’s all okay.” Meanwhile, in the background, our kids are locked in an intense battle over their Minecraft world, arguing about who keeps un-aliving the other. Priorities, right?
1. Lower the Bar and Ditch the Parenting Guilt
One of the biggest struggles when parenting through hard times is the pressure to do it all. But let me tell you—you don’t have to. I know, I know. It’s easy for me to say. Right? That’s what you were thinking. But truly, you can’t do anything for anyone if you don’t take a moment and breathe! We all just gotta breathe!
When you’re in survival mode, it’s okay to scale back and focus on the essentials:
🔹 Fed is best—Dinner doesn’t have to be homemade. Frozen pizza counts.
🔹 A clean-ish house is fine—Letting the laundry pile up for a day (or three) won’t ruin your kids’ lives.
🔹 Screens won’t destroy them—Sometimes, an extra episode of their favorite show is the only way to get through the day.
Parenting isn’t about perfection. It’s about being present, even when that presence looks different than usual.
👉 Let go of the guilt—doing your best, even if it doesn’t feel like enough, is enough.
2. Create Small Moments of Connection
When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to feel disconnected from your kids. But a meaningful connection doesn’t have to be elaborate.
Here are simple ways to bond with your children, even on hard days:
- Five-minute cuddles before bed or while watching TV.
- Let them help with small tasks—stirring pancake batter or folding socks counts!
- Laugh together—silly faces, dance parties, or an impromptu tickle fight can turn a hard day around.
- Give them your full attention, even briefly—put the phone down for a few minutes and be in their world.
👉 Little moments matter. Your kids won’t remember a spotless house or how much money you make, but they will remember how you made them feel. Trust me. That will still stick with them long after you’re gone.
3. Ask for Help—And Accept It
If you’re struggling, you don’t have to do it alone. But asking for help can feel impossible, especially if you’ve convinced yourself you should be able to handle everything on your own. Unless you were bitten by a radioactive spider or rocketed here from Krypton, you’re not superhuman. Even Spider-Man had Mary Jane, and Superman had Lois Lane to lean on when things got tough!
Sorry for nerding out—but hey, even superheroes need a support system. So do you. ❤️
👥 Who can you lean on?
- Your partner—Be honest about what you need.
- Friends & family—Let them bring a meal or watch the kids for a break.
- Other parents—Find a community where you can share openly.
- Therapists or support groups—Talking to someone outside your circle can be life-changing.
I know—it’s hard. But asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s one of the bravest things you can do for yourself and your family. I’ve done this so many times in my 11 years of being a mom. It’s simply a lifeline, a get-out-jail-free card, if you will, when you just need to be reminded, ‘I AM NOT ALONE!’.
4. Continue Parenting… But Take Care of Yourself—Even in Small Ways
Self-care often feels impossible when you’re struggling. But taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your kids.
Here’s how to sneak in self-care, even on your hardest days:
🛁 A five-minute shower with the door locked.
🎶 A playlist of songs that make you feel good.
☕ A hot cup of coffee (or tea) before everyone wakes up.
📖 Reading a few pages (or chapters) of a book after bedtime.
🚶 A short walk or a few deep breaths outside.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself helps you take care of them.
5. Be Honest with Your Kids (In an Age-Appropriate Way)
Kids notice when we’re struggling. They pick up on our stress, even when we think we’re hiding it. And while we don’t need to burden them with every detail, being open (at an appropriate level) helps them understand.
Otherwise, you will do things like snap at the next person that interrupts you. “For crying out loud, what could you possibly need!?”
💬 What you can say:
- “Mommy’s feeling really tired today, but I love you so much.”
- “Daddy had a hard day, so let’s have a quiet movie night together.”
- “I’m feeling a little sad, but it’s okay. We all have tough days sometimes.”
Honesty helps kids develop emotional intelligence. It teaches them that feelings are normal and that struggles don’t mean love disappears. It also teaches them that when mommy and daddy do get overwhelmed, it’s not always because of something they did.
6. Remind Yourself: This Is a Season, Not Forever
When you’re in the middle of struggling, it feels never-ending. But every season—even the hard ones—comes to an end.
📌 Remind yourself:
- You won’t feel this exhausted forever.
- You will come through whatever it is you’re facing right now.
- Your kids won’t always be this little (or this demanding).
- You are not failing—you are doing your best.
Hold on. Keep going. You are stronger than you feel right now.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone
Parenting is hard, but parenting while struggling can feel impossible. I say this from the other side of one of the most stressful, heartbreaking, “I’m done with people and done with life” moments my husband and I have ever faced. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this—this too shall pass.
You are not alone. Whether you’re battling exhaustion, stress, anxiety, or just feeling overwhelmed, you are still a good parent.
Take a deep breath. Lower your expectations. Ask for help. And most importantly, give yourself the same grace you’d give a friend in your shoes.
If this post resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you navigate parenting when you’re struggling? Follow us on Facebook, TikTok, and/or Instagram!
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