Why Motherhood Feels Like an Emotional Bootcamp
Here’s the thing—they say having a child is like having your heart walk around outside your body, but what they don’t mention is that your nervous system comes along for the ride, too.
Motherhood literally rewires your brain. Your amygdala (the part that scans for danger) dials up big time, which is why, suddenly, everything from stair railings to grapes feels like a life-or-death hazard. Your nervous system is adapting to keep another human alive, which is beautiful—but also a lot. Add in sleep deprivation, identity shifts, and the pressure to do it all “right,” and no wonder stress feels different in this stage.
From an attachment perspective, parenting also stirs up our earliest experiences of being cared for. Without even realizing it, you might question: Am I doing enough? Am I doing too much? Why do I feel like I’m getting it all wrong? Pssst..You’re not.
The truth? Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. And that’s why support matters. Because raising tiny humans while keeping yourself somewhat sane is no small thing.
