The Struggle is Real: Why You’re Not the Only One Questioning Your Parenting, Your Career, and Your Relationship With Your Parents

You wake up every day, put on your various hats (or scrubs, or yoga pants), and juggle all the things — work meetings, never-ending to-do lists, parenting, friendships, trying to remember what you just walked into the kitchen for… the works. But beneath all that doing, there’s a little voice in the back of your mind that keeps you up at night:

"Am I doing this right? What if I’m messing it all up? What if I’m just not a good person?"

You’re not alone, and I’m going to tell you something that might make you feel a little better: You’re probably doing better than you think.

I want to break down a few of the most common worries I hear from clients and offer a little humor along the way to remind you that it’s okay to not have everything figured out.

1. Am I Doing the Right Thing for My Kids? (Spoiler Alert: Probably Yes)

You want to be the best mom. Not just a good mom, but a great one. You want your kids to grow up happy, healthy, and maybe even with a sense of humor that doesn’t require years of therapy to unpack (although, hey, we all have our baggage, right?).

But, like, how are you supposed to know if you’re doing the right thing when there’s no “manual”? Should you let them watch another episode of that show that you secretly love, or should you be a Pinterest mom and make them a healthy snack that looks like a fruit rainbow?

Here’s the thing: You don’t have to be perfect to be great. The best moms don’t have it all together — they just show up, even when they don’t feel like it. And guess what? You’re showing up. That counts. So, if your kids are fed (even if it’s just chicken nuggets) and alive (thankfully), you’re doing just fine.

2. Am I a Good Person? Or Am I Just Faking It Until I Make It?

Ah, this one. This is the deep, existential worry that creeps in when you’re trying to navigate being a professional, a mom, a friend, and a human being with actual needs. The idea that you might not be enough — that you’re somehow failing at being “good enough” in all of those roles. You might worry that you’re just pretending to have it all together, and it’s only a matter of time before someone calls your bluff.

Let me break it to you: The fact that you found this blog post and have read it this far likely means you are already doing more work on yourself than your parents did. Good people don’t worry about being good people. You’re probably more thoughtful, compassionate, and self-aware than you give yourself credit for. So take a deep breath and cut yourself some slack. There’s no “perfect” version of yourself — you just need to show up as your best, messy, beautiful, real self.

3. How Do I Have a Relationship With My Parents Now That I’m an Adult?

Oh, the parent-child relationship… It’s a doozy, right? When you’re a kid, you look at your parents and think, “They’ve got it all figured out. I want to be just like them.” Then, you become an adult, and suddenly… plot twist — your parents are just humans who don’t have all the answers either.

As an adult, you’re probably realizing that you may not want to parent the same way your parents did. And that’s okay. It’s normal. In fact, it’s probably necessary for your own growth (and, let’s be honest, your kids might thank you one day). But how do you navigate the delicate dance of still having a relationship with your parents while also asserting your own autonomy and values?

Here’s the secret: It’s all about boundaries. You don’t have to agree with everything your parents did, nor do you have to repeat their mistakes. You get to create your own parenting style and your own version of a “healthy” relationship with your parents. And if that means having the occasional awkward conversation or setting a boundary around unsolicited advice, so be it. You’re an adult now — and they have to get used to that.

4. Can I Really Do All of This? (Hint: Yes)

You’re doing all the things — and it’s a lot. But here’s the thing: You don’t have to do it alone. Whether it’s leaning on your partner, friends, or a therapist (ahem), you need people who will remind you that you’re doing your best. You deserve the space to process your feelings, ask for help, and not feel guilty about it. Because guess what? Even superheroes have a sidekick. You just need to find yours.

Contact us. Make an appointment. We can help support you during this stressful time. Email erinmrandol@yahoo.com or click here to schedule an appointment.