Why Parenting Feels Like Mission Impossible: Real Talk for Overwhelmed Parents
- Janice Taylor
- May 29
- 3 min read
"Mamí, you’re Ethan Hunt.”
That’s what my teen told me last week.
I paused, confused.
Me: “What?”
Him: “You’re just like him. Constantly problem-solving. When you're done dealing with one intense moment or person, you’re already on to the next—without rest.”
Boy… was he right.
Let’s be honest—I’m guilty and just as imperfect as the next parent. Some days, I am Ethan Hunt. Constantly problem-solving, defusing emotional bombs, trying to stay one step ahead of disaster… and never getting a moment to breathe.
You know the scene:
You’ve just handled a meltdown, responded (or tried to) with patience, calmed the chaos, and just when you think you’ve earned a quiet moment…
BOOM!
Another fight erupts in the next room.
No time to rest.
You’re sprinting from one “mission” to the next:
Outwitting tantrums
Managing big emotions
Negotiating screen time like a hostage negotiator
Investigating missing shoes and mysterious smells in your car
Handling sensory overload and sibling stand-offs
And that’s all before dinner.
You give it everything—keeping the peace, solving the problems, managing the schedules, being the safe place.
Then, just when you finally paused for a hot shower or ten guilt-free minutes with your phone, something unravels.
And suddenly you explode.
The yelling.
The threats.
The rage.
And then… the guilt.
How did I lose it again?
That’s exactly how I felt the other day when something routine for my teen suddenly became a series of impossible acts for him.
Maybe it was impossible—he has ADHD (that's a story for another day).
But... in that moment, all I could see was impulsivity, carelessness, chaos, and my fear for the washing machine that was about to be destroyed as it shook violently at 10:30 pm. My nervous system had been severely triggered. See... I am not the type to easily fall asleep at night. Finally, I was having the best sleep ever.
And here’s the truth I keep learning over and over:
The most explosive person I needed to care for all along… was me.
Now that summer is almost here, I hoped things would slow down. But let’s be real: summer comes with its own chaos.
No routine. Constant changes. Everyone home. Kids with too much freedom.
Welcome to “Maycember”—the holiday-level stress of end-of-year events, school concerts, awards, sports celebrations, final projects, and mental burnout all crammed into May and June.
So, what do we do?
We pause.
We remind ourselves we are human. And we learn a new way, one that doesn't require us to be superheroes… just whole, supported, and seen. We began to see things from a positive perspective:
My son really stepped up by taking care of himself and doing his own laundry, just like I taught him. He also thought ahead, getting things ready for the next day while he slept. That’s what I call initiative, independence, and being a forward thinker all rolled into one.
I took a moment to apologize to him for my behavior and shared some encouraging words, acknowledging how incredible he is, even when things get a bit chaotic. It turned into a beautiful moment of connection for both of us, showing that even with the ups and downs of parenting, there are still those special moments of understanding and growth. He then opened up about how he hadn’t really thought about how his actions might impact others.
Parenting through ADHD and family chaos is hard work.
If what I've shared connects with you, remember that you're not by yourself—and you're not stuck.
----> This summer, I’m offering three ways to support you, no matter where you are on your parenting journey:
Nurtured Heart Approach® One-Hour Intro Workshops
June 30th and July 31st
A gentle starting place for shifting intensity into greatness.
Perfect if you want an inspiring introduction before diving deeper.
6-Week Nurtured Heart Approach® Boot Camp
August 1 – September 5, Thursdays @ 7:30 pm EST
A practical, heart-centered series designed to transform your child’s behavior by recognizing and growing their inner greatness.
Learn to redirect challenging moments with clarity and compassion.
Learn how to see and speak into what’s right—even when everything feels wrong.
12-Week Transformational Parenting Coaching
Mondays, Sept 8 – Nov 24, 2025
Morning Group: 9:00–10:00 AM EST
Evening Group: 7:00–8:00 PM EST
For parents ready to reclaim peace, restore relationships, and parent from a grounded, empowered place.
We’ll go deep into strategies and who you are as a parent, how to stay regulated, and how to stop repeating the same patterns of stress, yelling, and guilt.
You'll gain an understanding of what developmentally appropriate behaviors are.
This is transformational work—with real tools and real support.
This summer, let’s rewrite the mission.
Not to “fix everything”… but to take care of the one person who holds it all together:
You.
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