The Mother's Day That Changed Everything
Written by Savannah Chrisley
Published May 16, 2026
Hey y'all. I'm writing this still in my feelings from Mother's Day last weekend. Can we just talk about how weird this holiday is when you're not technically a mom but you're raising kids? Like... I didn't know whether to celebrate or just hide under the covers with a pint of ice cream. Spoiler: I did both.
Chloe made me breakfast in bed — burnt toast and eggs that were somehow both runny AND rubbery (bless her heart). Grayson gave me a card that said "Thanks for not being as mean as you could be." I laughed so hard I cried. Then I just cried because... well, because I missed my mama something fierce.
When Life Makes You a Mom at 28
Nobody prepares you for becoming a parent figure to your siblings. There's no handbook for navigating teenage attitudes while you're still figuring out your own life. Some days I feel like I'm playing dress-up in my mama's shoes, except they're way too big and I keep tripping over myself.
But here's what I'm learning: motherhood isn't about being perfect. It's about showing up even when you're exhausted. It's about making mac and cheese for dinner three nights in a row because that's all anyone will eat. It's about staying up till 2 AM helping with a science project you don't understand. And sometimes... it's about admitting you need help too.
“God doesn't give you more than you can handle — but He definitely pushes you right up to that line sometimes.”
Y'all know I've been open about my health journey. Between the endometriosis flare-ups and trying to manage my weight (still working on those 40 pounds), being a caregiver while taking care of yourself is... a lot. I started my semaglutide journey a few months back, and honestly? Having that support has made me a better guardian. When I feel better physically, I show up better emotionally.
The other day, Chloe asked me if I thought Mama was proud of us. I told her I know she is. Because even on the days when I burn dinner and forget to sign permission slips and lose my patience over homework... we're still here. We're still a family. We're still choosing each other, every single day.
This Mother's Day, Grayson asked if we could visit Mama. So we did. We brought flowers and sat in the sunshine and told her all about our lives. Chloe's crushing on some boy (Lord help me), Grayson made the basketball team, and I'm running a company while trying to keep these kids alive and relatively well-adjusted. I think she'd be proud. I think she'd also laugh at how many times I've called her friends asking how to get grass stains out of baseball uniforms.
To all my girls out there raising kids you didn't plan on raising, caring for family members, or just trying to mother yourself through this crazy life — I see you. You're doing better than you think. And on the days when you feel like you're failing? Remember that showing up messy is still showing up. That's what love looks like. With love, Savannah
Put yourself on the list too
Taking care of your health isn't selfish — it's how you keep showing up for the people you love.
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