Have you ever wondered how a single mom of three, dealing with mental health struggles, financial uncertainty, and the chaos of everyday life, could rise to become a leader?

Meet Ann—my mother, and the embodiment of resilience, strength, and perseverance. 🙌

In this post, I’m going to share her inspiring story. From raising three daughters to surviving a tough divorce and ultimately rebuilding her career, my mom faced it all head-on. I know you’ll find some of her lessons not only relatable but also incredibly empowering.

If you’ve ever raised teenagers, you know the struggle is real. Now imagine doing that while dealing with a partner struggling with addiction. 😔 My mom did that—and more.

One of the things that always sticks with me is how my mom faced it all without breaking. She raised three daughters, managed her career, and kept herself afloat mentally and emotionally—even though the challenges were relentless. 💪

"You girls were all independent thinkers, and while that made you great adults, it wasn’t easy when you were growing up."​

That independence we all have? It came from watching my mom. She taught us to question the world around us and think critically—even when it made life harder for her as a parent.

Despite the overwhelming emotional and financial toll, my mom somehow found a way to shield us from the darkest moments and keep moving forward.

And the best part? She never let us see her fall apart.

Let’s talk about her Backwards Cinderella story—yes, this could be a book title. 📖 My mom went from having it all—marriage, house, and what seemed like a “picture-perfect” family—to losing everything in a single swoop.

She didn’t just lose a marriage; she lost a lifestyle and had to rebuild from scratch. The funny thing is, while most people dream about fairytales, my mom never did.

She wasn’t writing her last name on notebooks in the 70s or planning her wedding at 10 years old. She always had bigger dreams for herself than just the fairytale.

“Life changes whether you want it to or not. The most difficult part was finding a way to shelter you girls from what was happening.”

She calls it a "Backwards Cinderella" because instead of ascending into a dream, she had to climb out of a nightmare.

But she did it—and in the process, she found her own power and leadership skills. 💼

She didn’t just survive; she thrived, becoming a school administrator, leading teams, and making her mark.

Now, here’s where it gets real. Growing up in a family where mental health was a central struggle wasn’t easy.

Both of my sisters battled addiction, and my mom was on the front lines of helping us all navigate the dark waters of mental health challenges.

Yet, she somehow managed to raise three strong daughters who learned to fight for themselves and come out on the other side stronger. 💪

My mom’s key message when it comes to raising resilient kids?

“Give yourself a break. You’re going to get it wrong sometimes, and that’s okay. Every day is a new day, and it’s okay to ask for help.”

"If your kid is happy with everything you do, you’re probably doing it wrong. It’s okay if they’re upset with you sometimes—that just means you’re doing your job as a parent."

In her words, you can’t always be the “cool mom.” And sometimes, it’s your job to make the tough decisions that your kids don’t understand at the time. But in the long run, they’ll thank you for it.

Here’s the truth no one tells you: balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about survival. My mom worked her way up to becoming a school administrator while raising three kids, managing mental health crises, and fighting her own battles.

The key? She didn’t try to do it all perfectly. She embraced the chaos and found purpose in it. 🌪️

If you’re trying to juggle kids, a career, and your mental health, here’s what she recommends:

“Balance is a process. Some weeks you don’t do laundry, and some days you get everything done. It’s about finding your rhythm and not being too hard on yourself.”

She always tells me that balance isn’t a final destination—it’s something you work on every day. And some days, that means surviving on coffee and letting a few things fall by the wayside. ☕💁‍♀️

Whether you’re a mom, an entrepreneur, or someone juggling both, here are some key lessons from my mom’s journey that you can apply to your life:

"You’ve got this. And it’s never too late to start."

If you’ve been holding back on your dreams because you think you’re too old, too busy, or not ready—it’s time to rethink that.

My mom raised three daughters, overcame mental health challenges, and rebuilt her life from the ground up. If she can do it, so can you. 🚀
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Watching my mom navigate life has taught me that resilience isn’t about surviving—it’s about thriving. It’s about pushing forward, even when life throws you curveballs. It’s about being okay with imperfection while knowing that you’re doing your best.

​So if you’re a mom trying to build a business, raise kids, or simply get through the day—remember, you’re not alone. My mom did it, I’m doing it, and you can too. 🌈

So here’s to you, Mom – my inspiration, my rock, my forever reminder that life is messy, and resilience is built one step at a time. 💖👑

Have you had similar experiences with mental health, single parenthood, or juggling business and family life? Drop your story in the comments below! I’d love to hear how you’re managing your journey.


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