Parenting isn’t just about love—it’s about tenacity, instinct, and an unwavering drive to protect and nurture your family. Some days, I feel like I’m moving through life with the fierce determination of a mother bear; other days, I’m navigating fear like a startled deer, and sometimes, I adapt and endure like the Arctic fox. When I think about the journey I’ve been on—raising a neurodivergent child, advocating for neonatal leave, and surviving my own health battles—I realize just how much I have in common with the animal kingdom.
Here are the animals that reflect different parts of me as a parent:
1. The Lioness – Tenacity and Fierce Protection
A lioness doesn’t just protect her cubs—she fights for them. She’s the ultimate multitasker, hunting, leading, and ensuring her pride survives. She will take on anything that threatens her family, standing strong no matter what.
I resonate with that deeply. From the moment I knew Amelia would be born prematurely, I became a fighter. Whether it was advocating for her medical care, pushing for the right support, or standing up for families who need better neonatal leave, I found a tenacity I never knew I had. Like the lioness, I don’t back down when my family needs me.
Being a parent means being strong, even when you feel weak. There were moments in the NICU when I wanted to crumble, but I didn’t—because Amelia needed me. Just like a lioness standing guard over her cubs, I refused to give up.
2. The Deer – Fear and Hyper-Awareness
Deer are graceful, but they are always on edge, scanning their surroundings for danger. They sense threats before they fully appear, ready to react in an instant.
This is exactly how it felt in the early days of Amelia’s life. I was constantly on high alert, waiting for the next phone call, the next beeping monitor, the next challenge. Even now, as a neurodivergent parent raising a neurodivergent child, I live with a level of awareness that never quite switches off.
There’s a fear that comes with parenting—a fear of the unknown, of making mistakes, of not being enough. Like a deer, I sometimes feel that instinctive panic. But instead of letting fear paralyze me, I’ve learned to channel it into something useful—knowledge, preparation, and resilience.
3. The Arctic Fox – Resilience and Adaptation
The Arctic fox survives in one of the harshest environments on Earth. It adapts by changing its fur, storing energy, and making the best of what it has.
Parenting, especially in the face of challenges, requires that same ability to adjust and endure. I’ve had to adapt to new realities—living with my own neurodiversity, supporting my husband through his own, and parenting a child who is wonderfully adventurous but requires a different kind of guidance.
Like the Arctic fox, I change and evolve. I’ve learned new strategies, discovered strengths I didn’t know I had, and found ways to make life work, even when circumstances weren’t ideal. Resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving despite the struggles.
4. The Octopus – Intelligence and Problem-Solving
Octopuses are problem solvers, finding clever ways to escape traps, open jars, and navigate complex challenges. They are one of the most intelligent creatures in the ocean, using their environment to their advantage.
Parenting often feels like being an octopus—juggling multiple responsibilities at once, figuring out how to solve problems in ways that aren’t always straightforward. When the traditional way doesn’t work, I find another. If a parenting approach fails, I adapt. If a system isn’t built for neurodivergent families, I work to change it.
Much like an octopus navigating a maze, I’ve learned to outthink obstacles and find my way forward.
5. The Wolf – The Need to Provide and Protect
Wolves aren’t just fierce—they are deeply loyal and family-oriented. They hunt, travel, and survive together. Every member of the pack has a role, and they protect each other fiercely.
As a parent, I feel that responsibility. The need to provide, to protect, to ensure my family is safe and cared for. It’s why I’ve fought for better neonatal leave, why I push through exhaustion, and why I keep going even on the hardest days.
I may not always feel strong, but like the wolf, I know my strength comes from my love for my family.
Conclusion: Parenting is Survival, but Also Love
Parenting is a mix of tenacity, fear, resilience, intelligence, and fierce protection. Some days, I’m the lioness, taking on the world. Other days, I feel like the deer, anxious and overwhelmed. But no matter what, I adapt like the Arctic fox, problem-solve like the octopus, and protect like the wolf.
Every parent has a bit of the wild in them—the instinct to love, protect, and never give up.
Call to Action
What animal best represents you as a parent? Do you feel like a fierce lioness, a clever octopus, or something else entirely? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts! And if you enjoyed this, don’t forget to like and subscribe for more stories about resilience, parenting, and navigating life’s wildest journeys.
Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?
The bad and your parenting journey 