Mom Treading Water (The Imperfect Mom‪)‬ Melissa Libby

Adopting a child is a life-changing experience that brings joy and fulfillment to many families. However, it is also a complex process that can be filled with stress and uncertainty. As someone who has gone through the journey of adoption twice, I understand the challenges and emotions that come with it.That's why I believe it is essential to share some insider tips to help make the adoption journey smoother and more successful. These tips are often overlooked or not commonly discussed, but t...

**TRIGGER WARNING** Depression, Anxiety, Child Sexual AbuseFor moms struggling with mental health, please know you are not alone. Like many, I have battled my mental health even before motherhoodMy whole life, I have always felt inadequate, unworthy, and full of self-loathing. Like many, my existence focused on being a people pleaser without regard for my mental health. The worst part is that others accepted this because it met the expected standard. Unfortunately, I was the perfect target fo...

Before motherhood, my life always included anxiety. It was all I knew because it was how I lived. "What if..." was one of the most common phrases in my vocabulary. Risks and dreams were squashed by the "what if...". Parental anxiety is a well-known worry that moms often feel. Even before becoming a mother, anxiety was constantly present in my life. It was a familiar feeling I had grown accustomed to, and I always thought, "What if...". This phrase seemed to be one of my vo...

Momma, have you ever felt inadequate, unworthy, and paralyzed by self-hatred? My life has been centered around pleasing others without regard for my needs. Constantly, I felt like I was taking space that I did not have a right or deserve to do. To say I felt like a possession or a hindrance is an understatement. Only with a few months of therapy my self-hatred is slowly changing. Realizing that I genuinely do not know myself feels like a rebirth.&nbs...

Boundaries - Momma, Do You Struggle In Setting Healthy Boundaries With Your Child? You are not alone.Going to therapy has been full of discoveries. I have realized that I struggle to set healthy boundaries with my children. As a trained people pleaser, the guilt of setting boundaries has been engrained. The other realization is that my husband and I need to allow our children to set healthy boundaries with us so they learn how to set boundaries. &nbs...

As a mom living with anxiety, depression, and ADHD, my feelings could become overpowering. Yet, during the past few years, I have found ways to cope and calm my body and mind. The other day was one of those days; fortunately, my supportive husband was home. I told him I needed to meditate to calm my body and mind. Although this might not seem like a huge milestone, for me, it truly was empowering. Therapy teaches me to know myself better and value my need...