From Single Mom to Leader: How My Mother Conquered Mental Health and Business Chaos ???

Have you ever wondered how a single mom of three, dealing with mental health struggles, financial uncertainty, and the chaos of everyday life, could rise to become a leader? Meet Ann—my mother, and the embodiment of resilience, strength, and perseverance. ??

In this post, I’m going to share her inspiring story. From raising three daughters (two of whom battled addiction) to surviving a tough divorce and ultimately rebuilding her career, my mom faced it all head-on. I know you’ll find some of her lessons not only relatable but also incredibly empowering.

A Single Mom's Journey: Thriving Through Mental Health Challenges ????

If you’ve ever raised teenagers, you know the struggle is real. Now imagine doing that while dealing with a partner struggling with addiction. ?? My mom did that—and more.

One of the things that always sticks with me is how my mom faced it all without breaking. She raised three daughters, managed her career, and kept herself afloat mentally and emotionally—even though the challenges were relentless. ??

"You girls were all independent thinkers, and while that made you great adults, it wasn’t easy when you were growing up."

That independence we all have? It came from watching my mom. She taught us to question the world around us and think critically—even when it made life harder for her as a parent. Despite the overwhelming emotional and financial toll, my mom somehow found a way to shield us from the darkest moments and keep moving forward. And the best part? She never let us see her fall apart.

From “Backwards Cinderella” to Leadership: How My Mom Did It ????

Let’s talk about her Backwards Cinderella story—yes, this could be a book title. ?? My mom went from having it all—marriage, house, and what seemed like a “picture-perfect” family—to losing everything in a single swoop.

She didn’t just lose a marriage; she lost a lifestyle and had to rebuild from scratch. The funny thing is, while most people dream about fairytales, my mom never did. She wasn’t writing her last name on notebooks in the 70s or planning her wedding at 10 years old. She always had bigger dreams for herself than just the fairytale.

“Life changes whether you want it to or not. The most difficult part was finding a way to shelter you girls from what was happening.”

She calls it a "Backwards Cinderella" because instead of ascending into a dream, she had to climb out of a nightmare. But she did it—and in the process, she found her own power and leadership skills. ?? She didn’t just survive; she thrived, becoming a school administrator, leading teams, and making her mark.

How to Raise Strong, Resilient Kids in Difficult Times ????????

Now, here’s where it gets real. Growing up in a family where mental health was a central struggle wasn’t easy. Both of my sisters battled addiction, and my mom was on the front lines of helping us all navigate the dark waters of mental health challenges. Yet, she somehow managed to raise three strong daughters who learned to fight for themselves and come out on the other side stronger. ??

My mom’s key message when it comes to raising resilient kids?

“Give yourself a break. You’re going to get it wrong sometimes, and that’s okay. Every day is a new day, and it’s okay to ask for help.”

Here’s How My Mom Raised Resilient Kids:

1. Set Clear Boundaries: Kids need structure to thrive. Saying no to them sometimes is essential to teaching them discipline and safety.
2. Let Them Fail: This was a big one in our family. My mom never let us win if we didn’t deserve it. Losing builds character, and we needed that to develop resilience. ??
3. Be Honest About Life: She never sugar-coated things. My mom had hard, real conversations with us. When we were old enough, she explained why things were the way they were. This honesty built trust and helped us understand the world better.

"If your kid is happy with everything you do, you’re probably doing it wrong. It’s okay if they’re upset with you sometimes—that just means you’re doing your job as a parent."

In her words, you can’t always be the “cool mom.” And sometimes, it’s your job to make the tough decisions that your kids don’t understand at the time. But in the long run, they’ll thank you for it.

Balancing Business and Motherhood: Finding Purpose in Chaos ????????

Here’s the truth no one tells you: balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about survival. My mom worked her way up to becoming a school administrator while raising three kids, managing mental health crises, and fighting her own battles. The key? She didn’t try to do it all perfectly. She embraced the chaos and found purpose in it. ???

If you’re trying to juggle kids, a career, and your mental health, here’s what she recommends:

How to Balance Business and Family Life, According to My Mom:

• Set Priorities Daily: Don’t overwhelm yourself with trying to do everything at once. Focus on what needs to be done today. Let the rest wait. ??
• Compartmentalize: My mom learned to leave her worries at home when she went to work and vice versa. It’s not about ignoring your feelings—it’s about managing when and how to deal with them.
• Give Yourself Permission to Fail: Not every day will go as planned. You’ll have days where you drop the ball. Accept it, give yourself grace, and keep moving forward. ??♀?

“Balance is a process. Some weeks you don’t do laundry, and some days you get everything done. It’s about finding your rhythm and not being too hard on yourself.”

She always tells me that balance isn’t a final destination—it’s something you work on every day. And some days, that means surviving on coffee and letting a few things fall by the wayside. ???♀?

Key Takeaways for Moms and Entrepreneurs ??

Whether you’re a mom, an entrepreneur, or someone juggling both, here are some key lessons from my mom’s journey that you can apply to your life:

1. Give Yourself Grace: Perfection is a myth. Stop beating yourself up for what you didn’t get done and focus on what you did accomplish. ??
2. Embrace the Chaos: Life is messy. Sometimes you’ll drop the ball, and that’s okay. The goal is to keep moving forward.
3. Be Real with Your Kids: Kids don’t need you to be perfect. They need you to be real. Have honest conversations and let them see you working through challenges.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Fail: Failure is part of growth. In business, in motherhood, in life—embrace your mistakes as learning opportunities. ??

If She Can Do It, So Can You ??????

If you’ve been holding back on your dreams because you think you’re too old, too busy, or not ready—it’s time to rethink that. My mom raised three daughters, overcame mental health challenges, and rebuilt her life from the ground up. If she can do it, so can you. ??

"You’ve got this. And it’s never too late to start."

"You’ve got this. And it’s never too late to start."

Final Thoughts: A Mother’s Love and the Journey to Success ??

Watching my mom navigate life has taught me that resilience isn’t about surviving—it’s about thriving. It’s about pushing forward, even when life throws you curveballs. It’s about being okay with imperfection while knowing that you’re doing your best.

So if you’re a mom trying to build a business, raise kids, or simply get through the day—remember, you’re not alone. My mom did it, I’m doing it, and you can too. ??

What’s Your Story? Let’s Chat! ??