Why motherhood is getting harder and what we can do about it

If you’re feeling that motherhood is harder than you ever imagined it to be, and perhaps tougher than anyone warned you, you’re not alone. There’s never been a time that being a parent has been harder.

It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has created an immense burden for parents. At times it’s made childcare near impossible, our fears about illness soar, and introduced a whole new ballgame of the juggling act that already feels nearly impossible. Additionally, for many families, it’s meant less community and connection and an increased sense of isolation—neither of which does anything good for our mental health.  

In response to the pandemic and other world events, comes inflation and the rising costs of childcare. Parents are having to make difficult decisions about when and how to return to the workforce after birth and weigh whether working even off-sets the cost of childcare.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “it takes a village” and we know that raising children is no small feat, even with a village of helpers and caregivers. The unfortunate reality is that today many parents don’t have access to the “village” or the extra help that they need to support their families.

Social media introduces an entirely new level of self-comparison. Scrolling your Instagram feed might give you the impression that all the other parents out there have it “figured out” and living their best lives. Thankfully, there are some raw and honest accounts that depict a much more realistic picture of motherhood (my favs are @diaryofanhonestmom, @fruitsofmotherhood, and @everydaybec).

With all the challenges that make modern parenting nearly impossible, it’s no wonder mothers are suffering from increasing rates of mental health disorders. Stay tuned for an upcoming post on some strategies to manage the chaos of motherhood.