Motherly Stories

As a mother of Latinx children, I wanted more books that would inspire them so I wrote my own

They need to learn about how Latinos have contributed to the history of the United States.

To the family whose child has cancer, you are the bravest people I know

I want you to know that I see you. All of you.

To the stranger who told me ‘it goes by so fast,’ I hear what you’re really saying

My oldest child is only 3 years old, but I find myself wanting to blurt these words to other mothers every day. You are seeing me in the same rearview mirror I sometimes look through. Even with so much still ahead of me, I get caught looking backward.

What I didn’t understand about being a working mom before I was one

I saw working moms come in flustered at 8 a.m. and didn't realize the battles they'd already fought that day.

My back-to-school morning routine revamp starts this September

And how I'm going to make it happen.

Mom, you were (and are) the most magnificent mom I could have asked for

Thank you for always being there in my life and always looking out for me.

Your first day of school is a first for me, too

I've been acting fine with it this whole time, but to be honest, it tugs at my heart knowing how fleeting your youth is.

I’m so ready for school to start

I know I'm lucky to be at home with my kids right now and please, believe me, I am grateful, but dang, can a girl get some personal space?

Dear daughter: Becoming your mama has changed me forever

I found out that no matter how strong you are, some things will just break you. And you'll need your village.

This is what motherhood looks like when no one’s watching

This is trying so hard with every bone in my body to do my very best day in and day out, to give my babies all they need

Dear daughter: What I want you to know as you head back to school

I failed to see your fear. I failed to see your anxiety. I failed to see all the signs that you needed me desperately.

No, we’re not finding out our baby’s sex

Did you keep it a surprise, mama?

Recovering from my C-section was harder than I imagined

Why was I in so much pain? Am I weaker than all of these other women? How did they make it through this? Why is this so difficult for me?

It’s the last day I will ever breastfeed my baby—and my emotions are all over the place

Why is this so hard to accept?

Crystal on depression and letting go of being the perfect mother

Although I loved being pregnant, I had been dealing with serious anxiety and my transition to motherhood was no less difficult. It was, by far, the steepest learning curve of my life.

Purging my child’s toys saved my motherhood

The problem was that my children received so many presents the gift-giving itself began to lose meaning. Every time a family member came by the house, my 3-year-old expected a treat.

This theme park employee was a real-life superhero to a young boy with autism

She was his mama's hero, too.

This is why I share the story of my son almost drowning

Never in my life have I felt so much fear as I jumped in and pulled him out. He immediately started crying, thank God. I held him close to me and didn't want to let him go.

A simple note for a brand new mama

Oh mama, tonight is a very special night.

Dear mama-to-be, I envy you

This life is wonderful. So wonderful in fact that I would go back and live it again and again, which is why it is with bittersweet envy that I celebrate expecting moms and the amazing moments ahead of them.