"Today I cried. For all the mums in the trenches, because I feel like a failure."

Today I cried.

I cried because my 3-year-old refuses to listen to me.

I cried because my son ripped the waterproof cover off of his mattress.

I cried because my daughter misses her dad when he’s at work.

I cried because my 2-year-old keeps playing with water when my back is turned and I’m tired of cleaning up spills.

I cried because my coffee pot broke.

I cried because my house is a disaster and always will be.

I cried for a friend whose husband is traveling on business while she is alone with her children.

I cried for a friend whose mother is sick; she’s trying to keep it all together.

I cried for a friend who’s been trying for years to have children, and has been unable to do so.

I cried because I feel like a failure and I don’t know how to move forward.

I cried because motherhood is hard and it always will be.

I cried because at times I feel trapped.

I cried for all the mums who are in the trenches and just want to feel like they’re doing something right.

Comedian Jeff Roy tells us why people without kids have no idea…Post continues after video.

I cried for all the mums whose kids refuse to eat at mealtime.

I cried for all the mums whose children wake up at all hours of the night, inhibiting their ability to get a full night’s rest.

I cried for all the mums who don’t understand their children.

I cried for all the mums who want to connect with their kids, but don’t know how.

I cried because I don’t remember the last time I got a full night’s rest.

I cried because I’m so tired and I cried for all the other mothers who are tired.

I cried for all the expectant mothers who don’t know how hard this job is, because they haven’t experienced it.

I cried because this job will never be easy.

I cried for you.

I cried because sometimes you have to let the tears out, so that when you wipe them away, you’re given a new sense of calm and clarity.

Toni Hammer never planned on having kids, but she’s now a stay-at-home mum to Lillian and Levi who were born 355 days apart because the universe has an awesome sense of humour.  She chronicles her mummy misadventures at Is It Bedtime Yet? and a book of the same name is being pitched to publishers right this very second. She writes for Scary Mommy, Babble, and Huffington Post, and watches a lot of Friends. If you’re a fellow social media addict, you can find her trying to be funny on Facebook and Twitter. She drowns her mommy guilt in copious amounts of coffee and Diet Coke.

This post originally appeared  on Is It Bedtime Yet? and was republished here with full permission.