“I was a shitty mom today.” I’ve said those words countless times on days where I fell short, plans didn’t pan out, or I just didn’t have the energy or the patience to try to be “super mom.”

I don’t know where I first heard the term the trenches of motherhood but man, I find myself in them a lot. We’re introduced to them in those first few weeks of being a new mom. When we’re beyond tired, our bodies are shredded, and we’re feeling emotionally beat to hell.

Some of us come out of those deep, dark places sooner than most, some claw their way out slowly, some get swallowed whole, and some find themselves sinking back in from time to time throughout motherhood as we try like hell to do our best.

“Momma said there’d be days like this,” except she didn’t; not really. For some reason there’s a stigma against admitting that motherhood is hard. Like, reallyreallyreally hard.

If you’re struggling right now as a mom, having a shit day where you’re getting a swirly in the toilet of mom guilt, or just trying to survive this whole motherhood thing, here are 28 memes you need to hear from parents who have been right where you are and want to remind you that you’re not alone. You are enough. You are more than enough. Parenthood is one tough hood, but you’re a badass motherfucker, and you can do this.

1. First of all…

Let me just stop you right there. Punch your mom guilt straight in the labes. You are doing the best you can.

2. It’s okay

You were a person before you were Mom. No one prepares you for the shit that really goes down when you become a mother. Hell, they don’t even prepare you for what really goes down while you’re becoming a mother. Did I just shit on the table? WTF?

3. The struggle is real, and exhausting

You will be told by well-meaning people that you should “sleep when the baby sleeps.” It’s okay to punch those people, figuratively, in the throat.

4. The craziest roller coaster you’ve ever been on

Motherhood is like being raked through coals by your saggy tits. It’s also feeling like your heart is going to burst right out of your chest from all the love and happiness your child has given you.

5. You are you for a reason

The perfect mother does not exist, and if she claims to, she is a Liar McLiarface.

6. I get knocked down

But I get up again, because for some reason these damned kids keep asking for dinner even though I just fed them yesterday.

7. Moms need a village, too

 

Don’t put your inner Baby in the corner. That bitch needs to dance.

8. I’m not crying, you’re crying

Your kid does not care. To them, you are their world. Soak it all in, and don’t let that little bitch mom guilt steal your joy.

9. Self-care is not a luxury

Taking care of yourself is a must. It is not a luxury, it is survival.

10. They picked you

 

I know that’s cheesy, the belief that your child picked you to be their mother before they were born, but it is the type of cheese I choose to scarf down. Fight me.

11. Just breathe

Every mother you know loses her shit countless times a day. I don’t care if her social media posts tell you otherwise, some people choose only to show you their highlight reel. That is not reality, not all the time. Which brings me to my next meme…

12. Surround yourself with people who aren’t afraid to be real

The grass is always greener when bitches be lying about how great motherhood is 24/7. Don’t feed into that bullshit. Surround yourself with parents who keep it real.

13. It’s okay to not be okay

Whenever you find yourself saying, “I was a shitty mom today,” I want you to read this meme. If your kids are fed, mostly clean, have a place to lay their head, are safe, and loved, you are doing an amazing job.

14. Did I mention already that this is hard?

Parenthood can be the hardest, shittiest, most thankless job that you will wake up and do day in and day out no matter what because those kids are your world and you love them down to your bones.

15. You were made for this

I’d insert some witty or heartwarming banter right here except this meme tops anything I could type.

16. If Jay-Z were a mom

Because this should be a mother’s anthem, “get’cha damn hands up.”

17. What do they see?

The next time you’re pretty sure you’re screwing it all up, think of how your kid would spin the situation.

18. Hey, mama

You did, you are doing, and you will do again.

19. We are #blessed

But, for real. The next time you think everything has gone to shit, I need you to remember this.

20. We’re not robots

We have emotions. Sometimes we’re not all glitter farts and rainbows. And that is okay. Because…

21. No one else is you

Only you know how to be the mom your children need.

22. Don’t ever let go, Jack

I know that’s not how the line goes, but you get the point. Motherhood is one wild ride and sometimes the best we can do is close our eyes and grab on as tight as we can.

23. You are not a motherfucking octopus

Seriously, there’s only so much we can do.

24. Just be real

We have to stop pretending.

25. Good is good enough

If you think just because we lose our cool or vent about the hardships of motherhood that means we don’t love our kids with burning ferocity, you can piss up a rope.

26. Try again

Having a few shitty moments does not make you a shitty mom. Kids are pretty resilient, and you always have time to salvage the day.

27. They know

We are not nuns, and if we were, then we’d be pretty crappy ones who totally botched that whole celibacy thing.

28.  If all else fails…

At the end of the day, if none of these other memes made you feel better, just know that someone else messed up worse than you did. Probably.

I want to take this moment to say thank you to funny internet moms and dads for shedding light on the dark corners of parenthood, saying what we’re all thinking, and for shattering the damaging and unrealistic facade of perfection.

I needed to read these memes today and thought you did, too. There’s probably someone you know who needs these also, so hit that snazzy little share button and let someone else know that they’re not alone. We got this.