“Am I Good Enough?” — The Quiet Weight So Many Mums Carry
- Mafalda Novo
- 15 hours ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 12 minutes ago
Some days, even the most devoted mums feel like they’re falling short.
Days when patience runs low, screen time creeps higher, routines feel like battles, and you wonder if your child truly feels seen and loved.
When everything — work, the house, relationships, your mental health, the state of the world — piles on at once, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and question your motherhood.
And then comes the thought most mums never say out loud: “Am I good enough?”
If you’re in a tough phase — tantrums, the “threenager” resistance, constant “no’s,” battles over brushing teeth or getting dressed — please know this: you’re not alone.
The Real Challenge Behind These Moments
A child’s behaviour can be exactly the same, but how we respond depends entirely on our state.
When you’re rested and emotionally steady, you handle meltdowns with patience.
When you’re depleted, overstimulated, or unsupported, the same moments feel impossible — and guilt quickly follows.
But guilt is not truth. Guilt is a signal that you need support too.
Coaching Questions to Shift the Narrative
Take a breath and ask yourself:
Am I comparing myself to another mum who seems to “have it all together”?
Am I comparing myself to a version of me who had more energy, time, or help?
What do my children actually think of me?
(Hint: they already think you’re enough.)
What is my definition of balance today — not society’s?
What do I need to feel grounded again?
These questions aren’t meant to judge you — they’re meant to free you.
Because your “best” changes daily. And believing you should feel 100% all the time is an unrealistic pressure no mother deserves.
A New Perspective
What if the struggle you’re feeling isn’t a sign that you’re failing — but a sign that your needs are calling for attention?
So often, we rush to fix our child’s behaviour, when the real shift begins with how we feel.
A calmer, more supported, more emotionally nourished mum creates a ripple effect that reaches every corner of the home.
This isn’t about trying harder. It’s about coming back to yourself.
When you honour your limits, your nervous system, and your emotional wellbeing, you naturally show up with more patience, connection, and presence.
Your child doesn’t need perfection — they need you, regulated, grounded, and human.
You Don’t Need to Walk This Alone
If you feel overwhelmed, guilty, or disconnected from the mum you want to be, you’re not failing — you’re human. And you deserve support just as much as your children do.
If you want to feel calmer, more grounded, and more connected (to yourself and your child), I’d love to support you through my coaching programmes for mums.
👉 Explore programmes here: www.mafaldanovo.com/individualservices
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