I swear, it feels like I fell asleep one day and woke up to a kid who’s now taller than me, has her own opinions, and isn’t afraid to share every single one of them on any given day.
People often tell me it’s because I’m her safe place. That she feels comfortable expressing herself to me. And while I’m grateful for that, I don’t remember having that kind of freedom with my own mom. Sometimes I love that she feels safe enough to tell me exactly what’s on her mind, and other times, if I’m being honest, it can feel like a lot.
No one talks enough about the behind-the-scenes of parenting. The mental load. The moments where you’re trying your best but still wondering if you’re getting it right. The balancing act of wanting your daughter to be strong and independent while also trying to teach respect, patience, and understanding.
And then there are the days when my trigeminal neuralgia flares.
Those days are especially hard.
The pain can make talking painful, and sometimes I can’t express what I want to say because communicating hurts. There are moments when I come across as short with her, not because I’m angry or don’t care, but because I’m simply trying to get through the pain. On those days, we might write things down or use fingerspelling to communicate because speaking isn’t always an option.
As a mom, that hurts too. Sometimes I want to explain more, comfort more, or simply have a conversation, but my body doesn’t cooperate.
Being a girl mom is beautiful, but it’s also mentally and emotionally draining. You’re raising a young woman to use her voice, stand up for herself, and be confident. Then one day, you realize you’re the person she practices all those skills on.
Some days I miss my little girl.
Some days I’m amazed by the person she’s becoming.
Most days, I feel both at the same time.
Motherhood is messy. It’s exhausting. It’s rewarding. It’s heartbreaking. It’s beautiful.
And if you’re in the thick of it too, just know you’re not alone. 💕 #GirlMom #MotherhoodUnfiltered #TrigeminalNeuralgia #ParentingJourney #GirlMomLife
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