Motherly Stories

After 3 years of trying and a round of IVF, I am finally pregnant

It was as if I lived in a world of successive failure. Month after month, benchmarked by my inability to get pregnant. I would break down at every pregnancy announcement.

I am Santa Claus, the elves and Christmas magic

And now I'm tired.

I didn’t give birth to my boys, but I am definitely their mom

"Because relationships are not just blood…it's all of the other stuff that makes us a family."

To the military mamas, your service isn’t invisible

I see you, whether or not you're the one who wears the uniform.

He’s deployed—and I’m pregnant

I am here with you, mama.

I’m a military wife and mom—and I’m so lucky

As hard as this lifestyle can be, the level of pride I feel for the men and women of the Armed Forces is off-the-charts.

My husband is gone a lot, but I am NOT a single mom

What I want to tell you most about having a husband who is gone a lot is this: It is harder on him than it is on me.

To the mama in a hard phase right now

Thriving may not feel possible today. Surviving seems doable. And that's okay. I'm right there with you. Your work matters. You matter, mama.

*This* is when motherhood gets easier

Try not to worry–it will get easier. Eventually, your kids will even help you bend and reach toward whatever it is you need them to.

This is what it’s like to be a new mom

What I want to say when people ask, "What's it like to be a new mom?"

How I’m learning to mother–without my mom

You are always with me. In those times when I lose my cool under frustration, like yesterday when Everett was whining and simultaneously the dog threw up all over the carpet, I can feel you witnessing it all. I can feel you helping me, calming me or laughing at the chaos and confusion you used to know so well.

I only have 2 weeks left before my maternity leave ends

It occurs to me that this ritual is the first of many symbolic cords we will cut.

To the mama in the thick of it—it won’t be like this forever

Slowly but surely with time, everything will change.

Hannah on her postpartum bipolar diagnosis

Hello. I’m Hannah. I’m many things–a mum, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an HR professional. I have recently become the owner of a tech start-up. I have a degree in psychology. I’m a friend to so many beautiful people. I also have Bipolar Disorder.

I finally realized I had postpartum anxiety—and everything changed

When my oldest son would fall asleep in my arms, I wouldn't grab my phone for a picture. Instead, I would start Googling. How long should newborns sleep? Should you wake a sleeping baby? Can you spoil an infant? From the moment he shut his eyes, I would worry about what I was doing wrong.

Kristina on surviving postpartum psychosis

"How does a 30-year old mom of two with no previous history of mental illness get admitted to the psych ward? This is where my memory fails me, but the diagnosis: Postpartum Psychosis."

Dear NICU mama: Your strength is profound–and unexpected

Your experience with your precious baby will be one that, at times, can feel like it is breaking you into a million pieces–but I promise that feeling is just the start of your transformation into a stronger, wiser, humbler version of yourself.

To my firstborn—you are the best big brother I’ve ever seen

My wish is that you will always be best friends. That you always look out for each other. Continue to be each other's biggest fans.

My C-section scar makes me feel like a warrior

This scar represents my own grit. My own tenacity. My own stubbornness. Things I now pass down to my daughter.

Brooke on PPD to all-the-time depression

After my son was born, all I wanted was sleep. But I was scared of closing my eyes for fear of something happening to him during that time. I couldn’t shut my mind off from all the irrational thoughts running through it.