Why does motherhood feel so overwhelming, even when you're doing everything you can? And why do so many moms blame themselves when they can't keep up?In this episode of Trust Me Mom, I sit down with Libby Ward, mom of two, content creator, and author of Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself, for a candid conversation about the invisible load of motherhood, mom guilt, people-pleasing, parenting a highly sensitive child, and learning to put your own needs back on the list.Libby shares her personal journey from trying to be the perfect mom to reaching a point where she could no longer pretend everything was okay.After welcoming her second child, who struggled with feeding, sleeping, and sensory sensitivities, Libby found herself exhausted, overwhelmed, and increasingly reactive. She kept saying yes to everyone, ignoring her own needs and trying to meet impossible expectations.Eventually, she realized that becoming the parent she wanted to be required something unexpected: lowering her standards, setting boundaries, asking for help, and being honest about what she could realistically handle.In this conversation, we explore:The invisible mental load: Why so many mothers carry the responsibility for managing their children's needs, schedules, emotions, and development.Parenting a highly sensitive child: How different temperaments and sensory needs can dramatically change the parenting experience.The myth of the perfect mother: Why working harder and doing more doesn't necessarily make us better parents.People-pleasing and reactive parenting: How constantly saying yes to others can leave moms with little patience for their own families.Why self-care advice often misses the point: What exhausted mothers actually need beyond being told to sleep more or stress less.Practical ways to reclaim your capacity: How to say no, simplify routines, lower expectations, and make room for your own well-being.Finding yourself in motherhood: Why mothers deserve to feel whole as people, not just as parents.One of my favorite pieces of advice from Libby? "Do a crappier job."Sometimes, choosing a simpler dinner, leaving the house a little messy, or disappointing someone else means having more patience and energy for the people who matter most.Whether you're raising toddlers, parenting a neurodivergent child, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood, this conversation offers relatable stories, practical ideas, and a reminder that you don't have to carry everything alone.🎙️ About our guest:Libby Ward is a mother of two, content creator, and author of Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself. Through her writing and content, she encourages mothers to have more honest conversations about the realities of parenting, challenge unrealistic expectations, and prioritize their own well-being.00:00 Introduction: The Realities of Modern Motherhood01:25 Who Was Libby Before Motherhood?02:58 Two Young Children and Reaching a Breaking Point09:46 Why Raising Children Takes a Village13:07 Parenting a Highly Sensitive Child17:08 Why Common Self-Care Advice Doesn't Work19:07 Co-Regulation and the Challenges of Parenting20:58 The Titanic Analogy: Ignoring the Warning Signs23:30 People-Pleasing, Resentment, and Reactive Parenting26:00 Learning to Say No and Set Boundaries27:30 Why Moms Should Sometimes "Do a Crappier Job"29:05 Letting Go of Perfectionism in Everyday Parenting30:54 Libby's Book: Honest Motherhood34:01 Finding Support and Feeling Less Alone34:22 Libby's Final Message to Mothers#TrustMeMom #LibbyWard #HonestMotherhood #MentalLoad #InvisibleLoad #Motherhood #MomGuilt #PeoplePleasing #ParentingTips #ReactiveParenting #HighlySensitiveChild #ParentingSupport #SettingBoundaries #MotherhoodUnfiltered