Momming is messy and hard no matter who your kids are. Even the most well-behaved and polite child will throw a tantrum eventually.
When you parent what I call “extreme children”, parenting goes from hard to nearly impossible. Even on our children’s best days, they have meltdowns. Even when they have a great morning, they may bring home a note about behavior at school. Even when the volunteer to help with dinner, they may lose their minds before bed.
Parenting children with behavioral and emotional special needs is unpredictable. More than any feeling my husband and I have felt over the last five years of living this life, is paralyzing isolation.
Mama, I hear you crying on the bathroom floor, face tucked tightly into your knees and mouth into a hand towel in a desperate attempt for no one to know you’re losing it. I know how hard you’ve worked to keep it together since your little one woke up spitting and screaming; how you tried to remain calm, picking up the toys they slammed against the wall, and folding the stretched collars of shirts they’ve tugged and chewed on.
Friend, you aren’t in this fight alone. If you hear only one thing, let it be this: reach out. Whether you comment here, email me, or text a friend, begin to build your village. These are the folks who will hold you up when your body parts are limp spaghetti noodles and you are all cried out. I feel you. I live this lonely, exhausting life too.
We are in this together.
Being mommy is the most difficulty job yet a rewarding one. It’s not just raising a kid, it’s raising a mini you. Great blog! Would recommend this to my sister who just gave birth to a healthy baby boy! Thanks for sharing ♥️ ♥️ By any chance you are interested on doing collaborations, you can check out the collaborations portal of Phlanx.com and connect with amazing brands!
Xoxo,
Tiffany
Thanks for this post, Brynn. It is comforting to know others have similar experiences. I do feel alone often in my struggles to parent my extreme 4 yo son. We are just beginning to explore options for professional help. I also just stumbled upon your writing on scary mommy and relate to you. I think your blog will help me keep some healthy perspective and feel less isolated. Thanks for sharing so openly.
Thank you so much! I’m glad it resonated you. Keep me updated on how you are getting along!
I found your blog through Scary Mommy, it’s good to know I’m not alone. Btw any idea how to fix those chewed up clothes smh.