Imposter Syndrome, Motherhood, and the Wisdom of Becoming

So many women I meet, mothers, teachers, and caregivers that carry an invisible weight on their shoulders: the quiet voice that whispers you’re not enough. This voice often grows louder when we step into motherhood. Suddenly, we are entrusted with the most profound responsibility, guiding another soul through life’s beginnings, yet instead of feeling empowered, many of us find ourselves doubting, second-guessing, and comparing. This is what we have come to know as imposter syndrome, and it seems to follow women into both home and work life.

Rudolf Steiner, whose teachings inspire much of Waldorf education and beyond, reminded us that the soul is always in a process of becoming. He saw childhood as a sacred unfolding, and I believe the same is true for us as adults. We are also works in progress. Motherhood does not come with a manual, and being “perfect” is not the point. Steiner spoke about the importance of rhythm, reverence, and relationship. These qualities apply not only to children but also to ourselves. We are learning to trust our rhythms, honor our own seasons, and walk gently with the evolving relationship we have with who we are.

The first years of life are often spoken about as being essential for children, setting the stage for how they grow, learn, and see the world. But these first years are just as important for mothers. They shape how we step into this new identity, how we learn to balance care for others with care for ourselves, and how we begin to trust the wisdom of our own inner voice. Too often, mothers are expected to carry this sacred work in isolation. What we truly need is to reconnect with our village, to be surrounded by support, encouragement, and presence so that we, too, can flourish in these early years.

I know this truth deeply because I lived it. I became a mother while living in another state, far from family and the familiar supports that so many of us long for in those tender early days. I remember the ache of raising a tiny human while feeling both profound love and profound loneliness. It was in those moments—navigating the nights, the doubts, and the quiet ache for community—that the seed for Rain or Shine was planted. I wanted to create a village that I didn’t have, a place where mothers, fathers, caregivers, and children could feel held, seen, and supported. That remains my why, the heart that continues to guide this work.

Imposter syndrome often tells women that we must do more, know more, or give more to be worthy. But what if our worth is not measured by productivity or perfection, but by presence? Steiner encouraged us to see the spiritual essence in every human being. When we begin to see ourselves through this lens, we are reminded that we, too, are whole and capable, even when the laundry is unfolded, the email goes unanswered, or the child has a meltdown in the grocery store aisle.

Motherhood also brings with it an unspoken loneliness. It can feel as though everyone else has it together while we are the ones fumbling through. But when we share our stories openly, when we allow ourselves to be witnessed in the rawness of mothering, we create a circle of support where shame has no room to grow. In our school community, I have seen how gathering, whether around a story, a candle, or a shared meal, reminds us that none of us are alone in this work of raising children and nurturing ourselves.

Holistic education teaches us that every child carries a spark of divinity, and so does every parent. When we trust this spark, our inner wisdom, it begins to shine brighter than the doubts. Our children do not need perfect mothers, they need present ones. They need to see us stumble and rise, so that they know life is not about flawless performance but about resilience, authenticity, and love.

If you are reading this and feeling the pull of imposter syndrome, know this: you are not failing, you are unfolding. Like the children we care for, you are on a path of becoming, one that honors both your struggles and your strengths. At Rain or Shine, we walk this path together, weaving a community where imperfection is welcomed, growth is celebrated, and the essence of who we are is always enough.

With gratitude,

Kayla, M.Ed.