Navigating Life as a Heart Mom: A Journey Through Anxiety and Parenthood

In the whirlwind of parenthood, there's a unique path that some tread – that of a heart mom. It's a journey marked by both immense love and unimaginable fear. As someone who has embraced this role, I feel compelled to offer a glimpse into what it truly means to walk in these shoes on a daily basis.

Anxiety has always been a constant companion in my life, but becoming a heart mom took it to a whole new level. The weight of responsibility, coupled with the relentless worry for my child's health, is a burden that's hard to articulate to those who haven't experienced it firsthand. Our little ones become our entire world, and the fear of losing them or seeing them suffer consumes every waking moment.

Parenthood, in general, presents its own set of challenges and intrusive thoughts. But when those intrusive thoughts materialize into real-life medical crises, finding solace becomes an uphill battle. Despite my efforts to connect with friends who haven't embarked on the parenthood journey yet, I often find myself feeling isolated. It's not that I don't value their struggles, but it's difficult to relate when their concerns seem trivial compared to the monumental fear and pain of fearing for your child's life.

This journey has led me to confront feelings of guilt – guilt for not being able to fully engage with friends who haven't walked this path, guilt for feeling like their struggles pale in comparison, and guilt for the moments when I question why life dealt us this hand. But I've come to realize that everyone's struggles are valid, even if they look different from mine.

In an effort to navigate through this maze of emotions and experiences, I've decided to share more about my journey as a heart mom through my blog. From grappling with medical mom guilt to juggling the complexities of working from home while caring for a medically complex toddler, I aim to shed light on the realities that often go unnoticed. Our encounters with social workers, counseling sessions, battles with insurance – these are just a few facets of our reality.

By sharing my story, I hope to not only find healing for myself but also to offer support and understanding to others who may be traversing similar paths. Whether you choose to follow along or not, my goal remains the same – to bring visibility to the journey of being a heart mom and to make one more person feel seen in the process.

So, here's to opening up, to vulnerability, and to finding strength in solidarity. Let's walk this path together, one blog post at a time.