Living with a husband who has chronic illness for a season

Celeste G.

My husband was chronically ill off and on for a couple of years, during which time he wasn’t really able to work or do much to help support our family of 6 at the time. This put a lot of strain on me because I was trying to juggle homeschooling our kids, working part time, and taking care of our home mostly by myself. I felt so alone during that time even though I had 5 other people around me everyday. I was stressed, exhausted, and overwhelmed. My husband unfortunately became depressed during this time because he wanted to be there for us more, but when he would try it would just end up making his symptoms worse and sending him back to bed for the day. He was seeking answers from doctors, who suggested all kinds of things including allergy shots, diet changes, exercise routines, medications, etc but nothing was really helping. I had to deal with my own somewhat irrational anger at my husband because while I knew he was doing everything he could to get better, I was left with so much responsibility. I even had a hard time accepting that he was really sick at times because the symptoms weren’t always easy to see on the surface, and unfortunately my father had little understanding and would tell him to do things like “just go for a run”. Thankfully, I was able to find some ways to take things off my plate like sending my kids to public school, and my husband slowly found his way back to health through emotional work as well as physical solutions.

Balancing parenthood and career when both demand everything

Allison L.

Being a working mom with three kids and a husband who worked shifts often felt like I was being pulled in every direction. The early years were a blur of sleepless nights and daycare drop-offs, while the teenage years came with new emotional challenges. I tried to be everything for everyone—at home and at work—but there was a moment that stopped me in my tracks: two of my kids broke their clavicles on the same day, and my boss still expected me to get on a plane for a work trip. That moment made it clear that my priorities needed to shift. I made the choice to stay home and start redefining what balance looked like for me. It wasn’t easy—there was guilt, financial stress, and the constant feeling that I was somehow letting someone down. But over time, I figured out how to tune out the noise and focus on what truly mattered. I’ve talked with other moms facing similar struggles, especially around setting boundaries with employers and letting go of the guilt that comes with trying to do it all.

Stay-at-home parenting and protecting your mental health

Calvin N.

Becoming a stay-at-home parent was one of the most rewarding—and hardest—roles I’ve taken on. I didn’t expect the loneliness, the constant pressure to be “on,” or the way my own mental health challenges would resurface when I had no break. I struggled with anxiety, burnout, and self-doubt, wondering if I was really doing enough or being enough for my kids and myself. It took time, therapy, and a lot of trial and error to find a balance that worked: setting boundaries, asking for help, and learning to value my own needs alongside my kids’. I know how isolating and overwhelming this role can be, and I want to help others protect their peace and thrive in the chaos.

Supporting moms through eating disorders and military life challenges

Kate D.

As a mom of three and a military wife of 24 years, I’ve faced many challenges—particularly the isolation of raising small children during deployments and navigating military life without a nearby support base. But my journey hasn’t just been about the struggles of military life; I’ve also battled a 35-year-long eating disorder, beginning in my teens. Through therapy, medication, and, most importantly, by opening up and sharing my story, I was able to begin the path to healing. Along the way, I’ve supported others struggling with eating disorders, and have been there for close friends who’ve shared similar battles. I understand the power of someone who truly “gets it” when it comes to the dark moments we face.

Parenting teenagers

Louise H.

I am the mother of a 20-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter. And I have been through it all. Moving to a new state when my kids were 14 and 10, navigating a pandemic with teenagers, the pressures of high school life, college applications, gifted programs, peer pressure, driving, relationship issues… as well as all the adolescent obstacles that came before. As a stay at home mom, the pressure has always been on me to do everything— make lunches, volunteer at school, coach sports teams, drive them everywhere… and now I am at the stage where I am needed less physically, but the emotional and financial burdens are more prevalent. One of my kids is also part of the LGBTQ community, so I also have experience supporting and being involved in social justice advocacy on behalf of my child. No one gets a handbook when they become a parent, and none of us can do this alone… but together with support and advice given from learned experience, we can make this world a better place for our kids

Rebuilding your community after a big life change

Nikki S.

After college, I moved to Chicago with my best friend to start fresh. It was an exciting new chapter, but also a daunting one. I didn’t have a built-in support system and had to rebuild my community from scratch—new job, new friends, new everything. It wasn’t easy, especially since my friendships from college weren’t as supportive as I had hoped. I learned the hard way that creating a strong social circle takes intention and effort, but it was worth it. Fast forward to becoming a mom in 2024, and once again, I was faced with the challenge of rebuilding my community, but this time, as a parent. I had to find other moms to connect with, navigate the challenges of new parenthood, and still maintain my friendships. Through these transitions, I realized that it’s not about having a large number of relationships, but having quality connections that support you through life’s changes. If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed in your own transition, whether it’s moving to a new city or becoming a new parent, I’d love to share my journey and help guide you through the process of finding your people and building the support system you deserve.

Finding yourself again after becoming a stay-at-home mom

Rachel K.

When I left my corporate job to stay home with my first son, I thought it would be a joyful new chapter—and it was, in many ways. But I wasn’t expecting how disorienting it would feel to suddenly not know who I was outside of motherhood. It was lonely at times, and I missed adult conversations and a sense of accomplishment beyond getting the dishes done before bedtime. On top of that, I experienced miscarriages and challenges with breastfeeding, which added to the emotional toll. As the boys grew older, the challenges changed, but the pressure stayed—sports schedules, school needs, navigating friendships and bullying—it’s a constant juggle. I’ve leaned on books, podcasts, articles, and real talks with friends to figure things out, and I’ve become the go-to person for family when they need a sounding board or practical advice.

Navigating life after losing a loved one to addiction

Sandra P.

I’m a stay-at-home mom to four boys, with my youngest thriving after being born prematurely. Life’s been full of challenges, including watching my brother battle alcoholism for years until his death in 2021. Although I wasn’t a heavy drinker, his struggle motivated me to stay sober and break the cycle of addiction in my family. I supported him through tough times, always encouraging him that he didn’t need alcohol to face life’s challenges. When he passed, the grief was overwhelming, not just from losing him but from feeling helpless in his fight against addiction. I now understand how deeply addiction can affect a family. While it’s been a difficult journey, I’ve learned that even in the midst of loss, there’s a shared experience that connects us all. I want to help others who are grieving a loved one to addiction find support and healing.

Navigating life after losing a loved one to addiction

Sandra P.

I’m a stay-at-home mom to four boys, with my youngest thriving after being born prematurely. Life’s been full of challenges, including watching my brother battle alcoholism for years until his death in 2021. Although I wasn’t a heavy drinker, his struggle motivated me to stay sober and break the cycle of addiction in my family. I supported him through tough times, always encouraging him that he didn’t need alcohol to face life’s challenges. When he passed, the grief was overwhelming, not just from losing him but from feeling helpless in his fight against addiction. I now understand how deeply addiction can affect a family. While it’s been a difficult journey, I’ve learned that even in the midst of loss, there’s a shared experience that connects us all. I want to help others who are grieving a loved one to addiction find support and healing.

Being a single parent while your partner gets sober

Stefani W.

When my daughters were young, my husband went to rehab to get sober. Overnight, I became a single parent. Not because I wanted to, but because it was what our family needed to survive. I had to hold it all together while he worked to save his own life. That season of life was lonely, overwhelming, and filled with hard truths. There were moments I felt resentful, moments I was proud, and many where I simply had to keep going without knowing what came next. I juggled preschool drop-offs, tears in the shower, and answering my daughters’ questions without breaking down. But I also found strength I didn’t know I had. I kept showing up. And through all of it, I gained perspective not just as a partner, but as a woman and mother. Today, my husband is in long-term recovery, and I’m here to support anyone who’s walking that same tightrope. You’re not weak for struggling, you're strong for staying.