Spring has this sneaky way of cranking up the chaos. One day, you’re coasting through winter with your well-worn sweatpants and “chill out, we’ll figure it out” attitude, and the next—BAM! It’s spring concerts, track meets, final projects, dance observations, college acceptance decisions, and the general unraveling of all things structured. Everything starts to fray around the edges, and you begin to feel just like the fraying edges of your kids’ backpacks – tired from carrying the load.
The S.C. Parent Advisory Committee, supported by Children’s Trust of South Carolina, regularly meets and shares its collective wisdom on relevant parenting topics. In our most recent conversation, they tackled the end-of-school-year sprint and offered tips for surviving and thriving.
1. Stop Buying Into the “Do It All” Myth
You don’t have to be PTO President, soccer snack mom/dad, and the family chef/driver/therapist all at once. Ruth reminds us to let go of the pressure to check every imaginary box—and maybe check out instead. Like, literally. For a nap.
2. Make Space for Realness
Your house doesn’t have to look like a Pinterest board, and Ciera encourages us to remember that your worth as a parent isn’t measured by the number of dishes in your sink. There will always be dishes, but there won’t always be now. Real life is messy, and so is motherhood. Let people see the real you—and let your kids see the real you, too.
3. Your Capacity Is Not Unlimited
Embrace the phrase: I do not have the capacity today. Ciera mentions that sometimes, practices get skipped, dinner is cereal, and that’s perfectly fine. Your 50% effort can still be your best effort on tough days. Take a breath. Cancel something. Say no. That’s self-care.
4. Your Kids Need to See You
Camille shared how her teenage daughter thought she was “softer” on the younger sibling. The truth is, she just became wiser. Growth isn’t a failure—it’s intentional parenting. Be honest with your kids. Show them your flaws, your struggles, and your heart. As Ciera said, “My kids don’t just honor me as Mom—they see me as a person.” That’s significant.
5. Find (or Create) a Supportive Village
Not every support system is truly supportive. If your current village shames you for the unfolded laundry or fails to understand your reality—create a new one. Regarding the person who criticizes your dirty dishes, Ciera shared this gem: “If you complain about the dishes, either wash them or hush.”
6. Be Mindful, Not Perfect
Emily shared that parenting is like South Carolina weather—four seasons in one day. Some days you’re curling your kid’s hair for school pictures, and others you’re crying in the car at 8:30 p.m. The win is just showing up as best you can. Forget perfection. Embrace presence.
7. Remember: You’re Not Just “Mom”
You were someone before your kids, and you’re still that someone now. Ruth reminded us she reinvented herself five times while raising her son. Make space to be a whole person, not just a title.
Bonus: Normalize the Spicy Snacks
Self-care can look like therapy, walking, or saying, “No, you can’t have Mommy’s hot fries.” Keeping some things just for you is okay—your peace matters.
Here’s your spring mantra, mama and papa: You are doing enough. You are enough. You don’t have to do it all, be it all, or fold all the laundry. Breathe. Laugh. Ask for help. And for the love of all that is holy, if that backpack makes it through the year—celebrate.
