essays

Having a miscarriage left me feeling heartbroken—and still pregnant

I just wished the world around me would stop and give me a moment to catch my breath.

Mama, you can handle anything—even flu season

Of course, there are suggestions for avoiding colds and flu, but even with all of these preventions, sick days are almost unavoidable.

Motherhood is: Listening to ‘Baby Shark’ over and over (and over) again

The tune can calm my toddler's tantrum and soothe my newborn's cries—I can't deny its power.

To the mom who believes in peaceful parenting—but struggles to actually do it

My emotional baggage impacted the way I interacted with my children, especially when I was tired, stressed or triggered.

Motherhood is: Wishing I could freeze time

No matter how bittersweet it can feel, watching you grow and change daily is a reminder of how incredibly lucky I am to have you. We were never meant to live in this moment forever despite how many times we'd like to.

To my child-free friends—I might have to say ‘no,’ but please still invite me

I miss you.

The absence of villages has made us think we need to handle motherhood alone—but we don’t

I was alone. Doing it by myself because I COULD. But it wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. I didn't do it as well. And I felt lonely.

Sarah on checking in to a psychiatric unit for postpartum depression

"My crying was endless. The daydreams of being childless and carefree overwhelmed me. Then the anxiety made it impossible for me to think of anything other than how I could cease to exist."

I look at my 2-year-old and think, ‘Wait, weren’t you just a baby?’

She was just starting to babble and say ‘Mama’ like, a couple of weeks ago, wasn’t it?

The holiday tradition we look forward to every year

My 3-year-old had the best idea, and we just ran with it.

Leah on having postpartum depression for the second time

"This is a hard journey. I don't know if I am ready. Can I handle two kids? Am I strong enough for this? Am I going to fail?"

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.

Alexis on choosing to take antidepressants while breastfeeding

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.

7 phrases NOT to say to an adoptive family—and what to say instead

6. "How are your own/real children handling your adoption/foster care?"

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.

Being a grandmother is the greatest joy of my life

Seeing this child—and falling in love with him immediately—was an experience like nothing else. I wanted to protect him. To love him. To hug and kiss him. I wanted to be there for every moment, big or small. Every milestone. Always.

*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.