Motherly Stories
Motherhood changes us. Celebrate the ups and downs with these honest, insightful essays about becoming—and being—a mom.
Our surrogacy journey didn’t go as planned—what we want others to know
We truly believe that despite our journey going differently than planned, we needed each other in our lives.
My daughter and I both have a disability—and I still struggle with ableism
Her disabilities are not anyone’s inspiration. And while her job is not to teach others, she has unintendedly moved me to accept my own disability.
To all the moms hurting right now: Please give yourself permission to grieve
There is collective power in our grieving hearts right now; let’s normalize not feeling normal.
My motherhood boundary: I don’t share my bed with my kids
Some might call this selfish; I call it setting healthy boundaries for myself.
Becoming a mother helped me reclaim my beauty narrative
Motherhood was the mirror I didn’t know I needed.
Please don’t tell me ‘we only have 18 summers’
We know the time with our kids at home is fleeting. We know it’ll go too fast. But the 18 summers myth? It's just not true—or helpful.
Breastfeeding isn’t free, but kindness is
Breastfeeding is not free, but kindness can be.
Motherhood has been my greatest career asset
I was terrified to have children because I was afraid of what it would do to my career. But motherhood isn’t a hindrance—it’s a force of nature. And it's ours to run with.
How night weaning saved my sanity
At times I found myself mourning the loss of being a fountain of endless comfort and nourishment for my son. In my heart and in my weary mama bones, I knew that we were on the right path—a path towards sustainable motherhood.
Why you should think before complimenting a new mom on her weight loss
I weigh less than pre-pregnancy, yet I am the most unhappy I’ve been in years.
10 ways parents can support kids and communities in the aftermath of a school shooting
In our power as parents and as citizens of this country, there is action we can take even when it feels helpless.
Celebrating your first birthday as a mom: Why turning one is a big deal for mamas
Because you made it, mama. One year down the long road of motherhood. And many, many more to go.
The Texas school shooting is a harsh reminder of the cruel world we are raising our children in
And that reality is heavy. It's unsettling. In so many ways, it's unfair.
I’m a mom and the primary breadwinner—and I’m trying so hard to stop being the default parent
As the number of primary income earners rises, their shouldering of tasks and the ‘invisible load’ doesn’t lessen.
If news of pregnancy loss stirs up miscarriage grief, you aren’t alone
When celebrities share their stories of miscarriage, it is helpful on societal level, but painful on a personal level.
The mental load of feeding a family is heavy—and moms often carry it
Organizing the family’s food is unrelenting. Like laundry, there’s no “getting caught up” in cooking.
When it comes to developmental milestones, earlier isn’t better
I’ve learned what will matter are my kids’ lived experiences. Earlier is not better; personal growth is.
As an Asian mom, here’s how I’m teaching my kid to be proud of their identity
It’s one thing to know that you’re Korean; it’s another thing to feel Korean.
’90s summers were the best summers—here’s how to recreate the magic
When we talk about the summers of our youth, we often do so with the wistful sigh of nostalgia. We want our kids to experience that same magic. And they can.