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.

worried woman looking in mirror neurologically complex children neurodiversity autism

Don’t stop believing—even when you’re living in a lonely world

It’s slowly coming to a realization that you, as a mama to two uniquely complex kids, are alone in this world.

Updated Jan. 12, 2024
young parents kissing baby cheeks - it’s always been for you

Every step of our lives has prepared us for you

We’ve waited our whole lives to meet you, little one.

Updated Jan. 12, 2024
woman cleaning out closet - what we need changes

What we need changes: Why I keep a stack of jeans in the back of my closet 

I can fantasize about living different lives where I wear the jeans

Updated Jan. 11, 2024
woman shaving her legs - the shaving lesson

The forgotten shaving lesson

I blame my mother, but I cover the blame in excuses.

Updated Jan. 11, 2024
close up of woman looking out window - stopped being a people pleaser

When I had kids, I stopped being a people-pleaser

I set firm boundaries to protect my family and my mental health.

Updated Jan. 12, 2024
a mother looking down at her baby - independent motherhood

The fairytale of independent motherhood

One mom’s journey of turning a failed engagement into her own true love story.

Updated Jan. 10, 2024
cute baby with down syndrome held by mom- reality of special needs parenting

The unspoken realities of special-needs parenting

Your love is fierce, and you were chosen to be their mama.

Updated Jan. 10, 2024
pregnant woman in labor - grandma helped me through labor

How my grandma helped me through labor and delivery

At the end of it all, we are home safe and healthy, which is exactly what my birth plan was. 

Updated Jan. 09, 2024
child kissing mothers cheek to my kindergartener show and tell

To my kindergartener: Today you made me feel so loved

You couldn’t have known it, but my heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

Updated Jan. 06, 2024
mother doing crafts in kitchen with kids patriarchal motherhood

We are mothering within ‘patriarchal motherhood’

And it can feel oppressive. Here’s how to shift that pressure to make motherhood more empowering for yourself and mothers everywhere.

Updated Jan. 06, 2024
postpartum mother breastfeeding in her underwear postpartum journey

For me, postpartum was a journey to the Underworld

I was changing so quickly, so furiously—the descent was so immediate and so disorienting, that I struggled to catch my breath.

Updated Jan. 05, 2024
woman pouring cough syrup for her sick son - sick days

 Sick of sick days? So is my boss

There is no real rest for working parents, particularly mothers.

Updated Jan. 05, 2024
thoughtful woman working at home women's time

The resource we aren’t talking about: Women’s time

While we all only have 24 hours in a day, women spend 40% more time caregiving than men. 

Updated Jan. 04, 2024
mom hugging daughter- saying goodbye to my daughter

Goodbye to my grown, college girl

There is no “making it,” no cease of parenting, of growing, of life.

Updated Jan. 03, 2024
working woman holding her baby - clear boundaries

How setting boundaries helped me be a more present mom, colleague and boss

Most people are extremely understanding about respecting your boundaries when you communicate with clarity and kindness.

Updated Jan. 05, 2024
family decorating Christmas tree - neurodivergent daughter

My neurodivergent daughter reminds me of the magic to be found in the holidays

Currently an elf-on-the-shelf and a bendy reindeer are riding on a firetruck and trash truck in our living room.

Updated Jan. 03, 2024
woman holding baby against her chest wrapped in a blanket

‘Failure to thrive’ is a harmful and unhelpful term for my child

“Failure to thrive” kids aren’t failing at anything. 

Updated Jul. 10, 2023
woman giving birth to baby with labor and delivery nurse nicu mama babies

5 ways I became a better labor & delivery nurse by being a NICU mama

You may not be physically close to your baby but I will do everything in my power for you to feel close to them.

Updated Dec. 22, 2023
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