Let me begin by saying that I am just a mom. “Just a mom.” What a funny phrase, but I am sure you know what I mean. I have no degree in psychology or nursing. I do not have a degree in English literature, nor do I have an education in writing novels. What I do have is experience and a deep desire to help people. As a parent, I have felt isolated and alone. I have felt like a failure—and I have felt like Wonder Woman. It is a strange thing, being a parent; you can literally feel like you have this gig down pat and then—BAM! This gig has you flat on your face. But the trick is to get up and try again.

My children are now adults. I have been a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, a sick mom, a successful mom, a broke mom, a stand-in mom. I have always been a mom who tried and often failed but always tried. As my kids affectionately say (and so does my license plate): “Mama Tried”.

The idea of this book came to me over time. It seems every hurdle my husband, Denis–my rock– and I would get through, I would think, wow! I should write a book about that because that was nuts! That actually happened! But the idea never fit until now. This book was never meant to be all about me. It is about stories of people like you and me who silently struggle and survive the turbulent ride of being a parent. Yet for most of us, we quietly isolate ourselves because social media tells us that other parents have it all together, that they do not struggle the way we do. However, when connecting one on one or in a safe group, we learn that those parents we have been comparing ourselves to in fact do not have it all together. Life is not as smooth as the highlight reel shows it to be.

This book is my gift to you, the reader. As you read each chapter, I hope you soften your shoulders and relax a little in this journey of life. These chapters are sometimes beautiful and sometimes just plain painful. I and other brave parents share our hearts with you on the page because we hope that our stories can help you keep going, to know that you are not alone and that isolation is not the answer – connection is. We are all walking together on this journey. Come along and walk with us. I hope you enjoy and find some comfort in these stories.