I know, you’ve reached a point in motherhood where it feels like time has stopped. Your life seems stalled and completely revolves around your children, and you’re thinking, “I don’t think I can live like this much longer.” I’ve been there at every stage of my children’s growth process, often asking myself, “How much more of this can I take?” In the Newborn phase, you act as an interpreter, trying to understand your baby’s needs while mastering diaper changes. Before you know it, you’re on to the potty training toddler phase. They feed themselves, but now you’re cleaning up constantly. It’s cute when they begin potty training—until they start treating the floor as the bathroom and see their poop as paint for the walls! In this phase, you may find yourself praying, “Please God, if you don’t help me, I don’t know who will.” Then comes school age and beyond, bringing new, unexpected, and overwhelming challenges. Each time, you still ask yourself the same question: “How much more of this can I take?”
You may not realize it, but even when it feels like you’re on the verge of failing, breaking down, or losing control, you are still moving forward—and you’re still standing. Sure, you have some battle scars from your journey through motherhood, but the truth is, you’re not where you started. You’ve come a long way. As a mom, recognizing your power to grow and evolve in your parenting can make the journey more fulfilling and help you be more present in your parenting. Knowing your baby won’t always be a baby brings comfort, and birthdays mark the end of each phase, reminding you that nothing lasts forever. Understanding that these phases are temporary allows you to mentally and physically plan for each stage.
For example, if you know you want to send your child to school at age five, you have a countdown, and you know when change is coming. Viewing parenting in terms of stages and phases helps you embrace each season, just like you prepare for summer when spring ends. Once you recognize the stages and phases of motherhood, you’ll be able to grow, evolve, and plan effectively, feeling more prepared for what’s ahead.
To prepare for and recognize the stage you’re in, consider both your child’s age and your own experience in this season. Reflect on how you’re feeling: Are you happy and content, or do you feel overwhelmed? Is there a good rhythm in your parenting process, or do you feel out of sync? Honestly assess where you are in this phase of life.
Begin by assessing both yourself and your children’s developmental phases. Then, outline a plan detailing the upcoming milestones and what each stage will require. Stages can include newborn, infant, toddler, preschool, school age, pre-teen, teenager, young adult, and adult. Along the way, take a moment to appreciate your progress and look forward to each new stage—prepared for both challenges and successes. Recognize that each phase is temporary and leads to adulthood. Once your assessment and planning are final, move to action: put your plan into effect, considering both what your child needs and what you need as a mother. Actively seek help, maintain self-care, arrange babysitters, and find activities that encourage growth for both of you as you evolve together.
As you move through this stage, remember not to lose yourself. Instead, grow through whatever challenges you face so you can reach your breakthrough. Growth is a sign of increasing strength, and as you gain strength, what was once difficult becomes easier, expanding your capacity in life. Parenting reveals both your strengths and weaknesses, and if you harness the power of parenting in each season, you’ll grow alongside your children as you both evolve. Don’t miss this opportunity for growth. Use your time as a mother to make changes, heal, and confront what may have been hidden beneath the surface and now emerges during motherhood.
Remember, this phase won’t last forever; change is on the way. Stay present and connected, because you’ll never get this time back once it passes. I understand that you’re overwhelmed, but make the most of this moment. Recognize the value of time and that how you spend it matters deeply. Don’t waste your time with anger, frustration, or feeling overwhelmed. Instead, use this time to grow and explore new opportunities in your life. Try something you weren’t able to do in other periods, such as writing or reading books, taking online courses, participating in fitness classes, shopping, watching movies, or learning a new language. You can always return to corporate life in the future, but for now, relax—you’re in a new season. Make the most of it for both yourself and your family!
You don’t have to do this journey alone, and you were never meant to. Whether you’re rediscovering your joy, deepening your faith, or simply trying to breathe again —
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You are loved. You are seen. You are becoming whole again — one prayer, one moment, one season at a time. 💕