Motherhood: As Told by Four Moms Actually Doing It

The worry is sort of unimaginable. You’re used to worrying about yourself, there was a selfishness to me before I had my son—then it became like he was a total extension of me. I feel everything he feels.

After a long week of work, Augie came into my room and dropped a cherry blossom flower that he found outside onto the sheets. There’s something about how boys love their moms.

Motherhood has redefined what I thought I could plan, manage, or predict. I used to find comfort in structure—knowing what came next, having a clear sense of direction. But having a child has taught me that things rarely go exactly as expected, and that’s not only okay—it’s often where the most meaningful moments happen. I’m learning to find peace in the unknown.

I’ve let go of control. I’ve held onto all-encompassing love.

I never thought I’d be the kind of mom who needs help, but now I know asking for it is strength.

The Creator Play Table Set. It’s more than a place to color or snack—it’s their first little corner of the world. I’ve watched it become a bakery, a spaceship, a quiet spot for puzzles, and a stage for messy masterpieces. 

All the automatic support you get from other moms/parents. We get each other on another level now and there’s a lot of camaraderie. This was a pleasant surprise. 

I read the Very Hungry Caterpillar 10 times in a row. It’s someone favorite book right now.

I think about all the times I’m negative towards myself and imagine if that was my daughter speaking about herself. It’s totally changed how I speak about myself.

I’ve let go of people pleasing habits and I’ve held on to my boundaries since becoming a parent.

I never thought I’d be the kind of mom who has to be with her baby 24/7, but now I never want to leave her side!

Our personalized Alphabet Garden Baby Quilt. Every time I look at it I’m going to remember this precious time of our lives. 

The expansion of love in my heart for each child. You choose who to marry and your hearts filled with love for your spouse. Then your first born comes and your heart expands in a way that’s unexplainable. Then the second kid comes and your love expands even more. It doesn’t make sense until you experience it.

I was having an off day and my oldest could tell. He sat next to me on the couch and said “you look so beautiful today mom.” It was out of the ordinary and he was so intentional with his words. Then my youngest came over to me and told me I had an alligator on my belly. I went from feeling down to knowing I’m so loved and laughing instantly. Kids rule and make everything lighter and better.

Red. My children fill my heart with so much joy. 

I’ve let go of routine and embraced the chaos.

I never thought I’d be the kind of mom who allowed the mess, but now I’ve learned the importance of letting kids be kids. Let them play in dirt and jump in puddles. For your first born it’s easier said than done, but after raising two young boys for 6 years I’ve realized quickly that stopping them from independent fun play isn’t worth saving their clothes from getting dirty. Be a fun mom. Embrace the chaos. Embrace the mess. Life isn’t that serious!

The Wave Crib—alone from it being a really useful and beautiful product—I’ve watched both my boys go through that same crib and the memories it holds makes my heart smile.

As a pediatric nurse, I’d cared for countless children and supported parents through every stage, so I thought I was prepared. But nothing could have prepared me for the emotional weight of watching tiny versions of myself navigate the world.

I was checking in with my oldest son, John—reminding him who he is and how deeply he’s loved, even as he rolls his eyes and says, “I know, Mom.”

I’ve learned—and am still learning—to let go of rigid expectations of how life and parenting should look. Things don’t always go as planned, and I’m learning to embrace the flexibility, mess, and beauty that comes with that. I’ve held onto our family’s core values. They guide how we speak, how we think, how we love, and how we move through the hard moments. On the toughest days, I come back to what grounds me—and that keeps me steady when everything else feels overwhelming.

It looks like quiet alone time in the sunshine—ideally by the water. It’s the same, just not as long.

I never thought I’d be the kind of mom who watches kids’ shows, but now my youngest son, Crew, and I cuddle up to watch Curious George—and I genuinely love it.

To me, the texture would feel like sand: sometimes gritty, sometimes firm, sometimes smooth, often slipping through my fingers, always shifting.

The Seabound Shelf!