Published: May 16, 2025
By: Ronetta “Ronnie” Whitaker

This Week in My Real Life

Whew. This week felt like I was starring in an unscripted reality show called:
“Where’s That Thing I Just Had?”

Between juggling the girls’ schedules, client calls, studying for my exam, volunteering at my daughter’s school, and getting ready for my 5-year-old’s pre-K graduation, and attending Family Night—let’s just say things have been chaotic. Like, full-on “I found my keys in my husband’s pockets after spending 20 minutes looking for them” kind of chaotic.

And the worst part? I missed two blog posts.
TWO.

Old me? She would’ve spiraled. Cue the guilt. The shame. The mental scroll of all the things I didn’t finish.
But this version of me? She’s different.
She’s got a new mantra:

Grace over Guilt. 💫

Because I’m learning that sometimes life is just a lot. Not in a bad way. Just in a real, “you’re only one person” kind of way. And when you’re doing the most, something’s gonna fall off the to-do list—and that’s okay.

Half-Done is Still Progress

Here’s the thing I reminded myself this week:
Some weeks, the wins are small. Like:

✅ Everyone made it out the house with clothes on.
✅ Dinner wasn’t drive-thru.
✅ I remembered to breathe before I lost it.

And yes, I may have forgotten to sign the permission slip and didn’t realize we had no shells or meat for Taco Night… but I’m here.
Still standing.
Still mothering.
Still moving.
Even if it’s a little slower than usual.

Mama, You Are Allowed to Miss a Step

This blog is a reminder for you—and me—that our schedules don’t define our worth.
Missing a post (or three) doesn’t mean I’m not dedicated.
It means I’m human.
And you are too.

So if your week looked anything like mine, I want you to take this in:

✨ You are doing enough.
✨ You are showing up.
✨ You are allowed to rest.
✨ You are allowed to recalibrate.

Why I Keep Showing Up Anyway

Even when I’m late.
Even when it’s messy.
Even when it’s imperfect.

I keep writing because I know I’m not the only one balancing it all—with a little grace, a lot of prayer, and sometimes a forgotten Taco Tuesday.

I started Parenting After 40 because we need spaces that feel like a hug and a high-five.
And on weeks like this one, I need both.

So here I am.
Late, but not defeated.
Behind, but not broken.
Tired, but grateful.

📣 Talk To Me

Have you had a week like this too? Where everything was moving, but nothing felt done?
Tell me in the comments—what do YOU do when life gets chaotic?
Let’s remind each other: grace over guilt, always.