What I Needed to Hear When I Felt Like a Bad Mom

There was a day — not that long ago — when I stood in the kitchen and cried while reheating chicken nuggets. Not because of the nuggets (although let’s be honest, even those felt like a failure that day). But because I had lost my temper. Again.

Because I had no patience left.
Because the laundry was still sitting in the washer.
Because I hadn’t done anything “fun” with the kids.
Because I yelled.
Because I scrolled.
Because I just felt… off.

“I think I’m a bad mom,” I texted my husband

If you’ve ever felt that — whether once in a blue moon or five minutes ago — this blog is for you.

Here’s what I needed someone to tell me. Here’s what I’m telling you now.

1. You’re not a bad mom. You’re a human mom.

You are allowed to be tired. You are allowed to have limits. You are allowed to have hard days.

Even Jesus took time to step away from the crowds and rest. Even He wept.

Being a good mom doesn’t mean being perfect. It means showing up again, even if yesterday wasn’t your best.

2. You don’t have to do it all.

There’s a quiet pressure in motherhood to be all things: Craft mom. Clean house mom. Organic meal mom. Bible study mom. Present and patient and Pinterest-y.

But no one — no one — is doing all of that at the same time. You’re doing what you are called to do in this season, with the time and energy and capacity you’ve been given. That is enough.

3. Guilt is not always truth.

Just because you feel guilty doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. Sometimes mom guilt shows up when you’ve simply done something human, like needing a break, or choosing to rest instead of do more.

Let guilt be a signal, not a sentence. Bring it into the light, ask what it’s trying to say, and let grace speak louder.

4. Your kids don’t need perfection. They need you.

They need your presence more than your performance. They need repair more than they need flawlessness.

Your “I’m sorry” teaches them more than your constant self-sacrifice ever could. Your hugs after a meltdown. Your showing up the next day. Your willingness to try again.

That’s what they’ll remember.

5. This isn’t forever.

The long nights. The toddler chaos. The stretched patience. The laundry. The self-doubt. The mental noise.

It all feels eternal when you're in it — but it won’t be this way forever.

One day, you’ll realize that the phase that nearly undid you is over. You made it through. Not always gracefully, but faithfully. And that matters more than you know.

Final Thought

If today was one of those days — or a string of those days — you’re not alone.

You’re not failing. You’re not broken. You’re not a bad mom.

You are doing the holy, exhausting, grace-soaked work of motherhood. And even when you don’t feel like enough, you are deeply, wildly loved — by your kids and by the God who gave them to you.

Take a deep breath. You’re still her — the mom they need. You’re still you — and you’re still growing.

Let that be enough for today.