Motherly Stories - Essays About Being A Mom - Motherly
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Motherly Stories

Motherhood changes us. Celebrate the ups and downs with these honest, insightful essays about becoming—and being—a mom.

christmas tree- ugly christmas tree

Our ugly Christmas tree tradition

Sorry, Rockefeller Center—we've been doing it for years.

Updated Nov. 28, 2022
baby talking to grandma through a computer

My mother is still waiting to hold her first grandchild

I became a mom without my mom by my side—something I wasn't prepared for and something I will never get back.

Updated Jan. 27, 2022
mom laughing with toddler

I can make Thanksgiving anything I want it to be

Because we can choose to be beaten, or we can find our resilience.

Updated Feb. 15, 2022
dad playing with daughter

Sometimes Daddy is her favorite parent

I love my toddler even when she doesn't like me.

Updated Feb. 15, 2022
black and white photo of a woman running her hand through her hair -families waiting to adopt

To all the parents waiting to adopt—don’t lose hope

With dwindling faith and lots of fear we boarded the plane to Armenia and arrived very late in a foreign land. That night we prayed on the three stars, went to sleep, and hoped that with the morning light our wish would come true.

Updated Oct. 28, 2022
mom holding newborn baby against shoulder

Ask Motherly: Can you *really* work from home with a newborn (and no childcare)?

Motherly's co-founders answer the newborn care question on nearly every new working mama's mind.

Updated Nov. 10, 2022
immigrant child with an officer

5 powerful ways we can help 545 immigrant children separated from their parents

"The tragic reality is that hundreds of parents were deported to Central America without their children."

Updated Mar. 25, 2022
mom hugging knees sitting in bed

A love letter to the mama struggling to get through this pandemic

If you are experiencing major pandemic fatigue, you're not alone.

Updated Feb. 02, 2022
black and white photo of little girl- sassy little girl

I refuse to raise a polite girl

I will not teach my daughter that she needs to morph into a watered-down version of herself to make other people more comfortable.

Updated Feb. 14, 2023
woman sleeping in bed

You need a break…before you break, mama

Put your feet up and relax. Please.

Updated Apr. 25, 2022
mom snuggling a newborn

Having a newborn during a pandemic is the hardest thing I’ve ever done

I celebrate despite "it all." I celebrate myself. That I am managing. I am managing. These feel like heartbreaks. These feel like miracles.

Updated Feb. 07, 2022
image of a tweet

Mom’s powerful viral message: Not every child has a ‘mom and dad’

Dr. Alang spoke to Motherly about why inclusive language matters so much.

Updated May. 18, 2022
mom holding newborn baby

I’m a single mom—and I’m judged differently on my parenting because of it

I want to know why the script is different when approaching mothers like me. Why is it that if you're Mrs. So and So who serves on the PTA and lives in a nice subdivision, the language is "You're not failing," but when you're a Ms. you're automatically assumed at risk?

Updated May. 15, 2023
baby sleeping in a crib with toys

Hiring a sleep consultant was the best thing I did for my baby (and myself)

When I pictured a sleep consultant I envisioned a kindly woman who hid in the shadows and sang my son a lullaby whenever he stirred. In actuality, a sleep consultant is less a ninja songstress, and more head coach to your quarterback. She called the plays, I made the moves.

Updated Feb. 16, 2022
man reaching for woman on the edge of a bed - trying to conceive sex

I hate sex when I’m trying to conceive

Sex becomes so mechanical and monotonous when it's demoted to just one sole purpose.

Updated Nov. 14, 2022
father holding a swaddled newborn baby to his face

Dear mother-in-law, thank you for raising an incredible man

The boy you raised grew into a strong, loving man. A supportive, equal partner. And a next-level dad.

Updated Apr. 26, 2022
woman breastfeeding baby

A love letter to my boobs

We've been through a lot together, including three kids.

Updated May. 20, 2022
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