47: "I Love My Kids, But..." Grieving the Choice to Have Children

Motherhood is complicated, and it gets even more complex after divorce. In this deeply honest episode, I dive into something that many moms feel but rarely talk about—grieving the life we didn’t get to live because we had children. Whether you had kids due to religious pressure, cultural expectations, or a desire that later felt different in reality, this conversation is for you.We talk about the messy, conflicting emotions of loving our kids and grieving our lost autonomy. We also explore the guilt, resentment, and cultural expectations that tell moms they must always be grateful—while completely ignoring the exhaustion, loneliness, and sacrifices that come with the role.If you've ever thought, "Would I have done this differently if I had known?" or "I love my kids, but this is really hard," you are not alone. This is a safe space for the truth.What’s Inside This Episode:💬 The pressure to have kids—religion, family, society, and internalized beliefs 💬 The reality of single motherhood post-divorce: exhaustion, resentment, and survival 💬 How to process feelings of regret, loss, and grief without shame 💬 The myth of the "perfect mother" and why it’s keeping us stuck 💬 Why admitting hard truths about motherhood can bring unexpected relief 💬 Practical ways to come to peace with your past choicesQuotes from the Episode:💡 "You can love someone and still wish your life had gone another way." 💡 "Regret does not mean you don’t love. It simply means you’re human." 💡 "The myth of motherhood is that it's all-consuming joy. The truth is, it's both joy and sacrifice." — Esther PerelResources & Next Steps:📩 Need support? Email me at [email protected] 🎙️ Listen to past episodes for more conversations on post-divorce life 💡 Work with me—If you're navigating these emotions and need guidance, reach out💜 If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a fellow mom who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps other women find this podcast!See you next week, girlfriend. 💜4oPostDivorceGlowUp.comEmail: [email protected]