The Moment I Questioned If I Was Doing Enough as a Mom

(And what finally changed everything for us at home)

The first time I sat down to “teach” my daughter, I had a set of letter flashcards, something I’d printed from Pinterest, and seven years of classroom experience.

Plus a master’s degree in literacy and curriculum design.

She looked at me, grabbed the flashcard and put it in her mouth.

That was the most honest feedback I’ve ever received. 

I really thought I would have a head start.

I knew how to teach. I knew how children learn.

But teaching your own child is completely different. 

When Everything Felt Heavier Than I Expected

My heart was pulled in two directions. I loved teaching but I also knew the time with her was something I would never get back.

Becoming a stay-at-home mom changed me in ways I didn’t expect. 

Some days I missed the freedom I used to have, the ability to go out, make plans, and just be myself. But at the same time, I loved my baby more than anything and wouldn’t have traded that season for the world.

That tension was always there.

When I chose to stay home full-time, it was everything I had wanted but the transition was so much harder than I expected.

I went from a fast-paced, structured career to days that felt completely open and undefined.

On paper, that freedom sounded amazing, but in

reality, it felt overwhelming.

We’d finish breakfast, I’d add another stack of dishes to an already overflowing sink, and I’d already be thinking

What are we even going to do today?

My days started to feel repetitive, like I was living the same one over and over again.

I didn’t feel like myself anymore. I felt like my entire identity was just “mom.”

And at the same time, I felt this constant pressure to make sure I was doing enough for her.

As a teacher, I thought I would naturally know how to support her learning.

But teaching your own child is completely different.

And that moment with the flashcard stuck with me more than I expected.

Because it wasn’t just funny, it made me question everything I thought I knew. 

After scrolling Pinterest and Instagram forever, I’d finally force myself to try something. I’d print something out or spend 20 minutes setting it up, thinking okay, this is going to be good.

We’d sit down, I’d finally feel a little excited again, and 

she’d already be getting up from the table before I even finished setting everything out.

Then I would just be left sitting there, completely defeated.

And this wasn’t just a one-time thing.

I kept saying it felt like Groundhog Day, the same day over and over again.

I remember one morning after putting her down for a nap, just sitting there after another failed attempt, and thinking:

Am I actually doing her a disservice by keeping her home with me?

Like, is this even worth it? The sacrifice, the loss of income, if I’m not even giving her what she needs?

Because no matter what I did, I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe I wasn’t doing enough for her.

What Finally Started to Change

Everything started to change when I began looking into how young children actually learn.

Not in a classroom. Not through structured lessons.

But how they learn before all of that. 

And what I found completely reframed everything I thought I knew.

Play isn’t a break from learning.It’s how they learn.

And that realization changed everything for me.

Around that same time, I also found a local moms group.

For the first time, I didn’t feel alone.

We found connection, support, and honestly just a sense of rhythm in our days.

I could see how much both my daughter and I were thriving just by being around other moms who got it.

Around that same time, I started looking more into how young children actually learn at home and that’s when I foundplay-based learning.

And I was like, wait-

This actually makes so much sense.

I realized I didn’t just want my daughter to learn, I wanted her to genuinely love learning.

I wanted it to feel fun. Natural. Like something she actually enjoyed—not something I had to get her to do.

And the truth was that

learning didn’t need to look like sitting at a table or doing activities the “right” way.

It could look like play.Exploration.Conversations.Just everyday life.

And honestly, that’s when everything started to feel different.

I stopped opening endless tabs trying to figure out what we should be doing every day.

Our days started to have a rhythm.

I didn’t go to bed wondering if I had done enough anymore. 

Instead of doing one random thing here and another there, I started being more intentional with how our days flowed.

I started building simple, connected learning experiences based on how children actually develop.

What eventually became my Purposeful Play Method. 

Things started to connect. We’d go deeper instead of just moving on to the next thing.

And I stopped feeling like I needed more: more ideas, more stuff, more structure.

I started using what we already had in a completely different way.

Simple things. Just everyday moments we already had.

And I was like, wait, this actually feels good.

For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel lost anymore.

I felt confident.

If You’re Feeling This Too

If you’re in that season right now,feeling overwhelmed, unsure what to do with your days, or questioning if you’re doing enough, I want you to know you’re not alone.

You don’t need more complicated plans or perfect activities.

Sometimes, the biggest shift comes from seeing what’s already in front of you differently.

Because learning isn’t something separate from your day – it’s already happening inside it.

If you’re not sure how to get started with play-based learning, I created a supportive, private community for moms called The Learning Pod, which includes play-based, monthly themed resources for preschoolers (ages 3-6) to become passionate, lifelong learners.

If you’re not sure how to start, you don’t have to figure it out alone. That’s exactly why I created The Learning Pod. A simple way to bring intentional, play-based learning into your everyday life without the overwhelm.

You can learn more about The Learning Podhere.

But more than anything, I want you to remember this:You are capable. You are doing enough. And your child already loves learning with you.

If you’re not sure how to start, you don’t have to figure it out alone.