“I’m sorry I’m late.

I wanted to be on time.

But one of my children ended up on the floor in a fit because they demanded a cookie for breakfast, and I wouldn’t give in.

I’m sorry I’m late.

I wanted to be on time.

But one of my children needed to ‘go poopy’ on the way out.

And then, after I changed a dirty diaper, my older kids started fighting over who gets to sit in which seat.

I’m sorry I’m late.

I wanted to be on time.

But I got to school and realized I had left their backpacks at home and had to turn around.

And then, running into the house to get them, my child got a skinned knee and needed it cleaned and bandaged.

I’m sorry I’m late.

I wanted to be on time.

But the baby woke up twice in the middle of the night, and I overslept my alarm.

Then the toddler thought it was funny to hide and couldn’t be found for over ten minutes.

I’m sorry I’m late.

I wanted to be on time.

But one of my children refused to change out of pajamas while the other couldn’t find their shoes, and then they ‘didn’t feel quite right’ on.

The truth is, I want to be on time, and I feel guilty about it.

But kids are messy, unpredictable, and will make you late every time.

So, I’m sorry I’m late, but I’m a mom.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Danielle Sherman-Lazar of New Jersey. You can follow her journey on Facebook and her blog. Submit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.

Read more from Danielle here:

Your Body Brought A Child Into This World And Made Magic Happen—It’s Time To Love It Back

‘Everything’s going to be alright,’ we whisper. She can swoop in and make it all better, but she doesn’t have superpowers.’: Mom says ‘we’re humans that struggle too’

‘Her hard may be little compared to your hard, but she has reason to feel overwhelmed, and she deserves your empathy.’: Mom says ‘push judgement aside, no one’s having an easy time right now’

I Didn’t Mean To Forget You, As A New Mom I Just Have A Lot On My Plate Right Now

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“A momentary interaction with a stranger, who knew nothing about me, had made me question whether I was a ‘good mom.’ But then, with just a few words and an act of kindness from another stranger, I was reminded I’m doing the best I can. Even when my kids are acting like a hot mess.”

“He told me, ‘Jennie, I looked in her eyes, and she has the most beautiful soul.’ Broken is the only way to describe the feeling as they placed her in my arms. They had never seen anything like this. She was fine; everything was perfect, and then it wasn’t. But Anna was meant for me, and I for her, and together, we will show the world what true beauty is.”

“I poured everything into my salon and my family as a way to avoid my pain. My clients would compliment me on my ‘beautiful smile.’ My thoughts were, ‘If they only knew what was inside my head.’”

“All I could think about was how I was going to take care of a newborn when I couldn’t walk. I felt angry, terrified, and completely devastated. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.”

“I had gone to Cotillion and Girl Scouts, went to Catholic school and had a family who loved me. Now I was a junkie. One time my mom hid her money in her pillowcase while she slept, and I cut it out with her laying on it. Birds fly, fish swim, and addicts use. That’s what I did. But my kids deserved for me to try.”

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