How Becoming a Mom has Changed Me
Vol. 1, No. 16
In partnership with
You’re reading Modern Motherhood Musings, a weekly newsletter written from one mom to another. Each week I share an honest reflection on motherhood, and a collection of things bringing me joy. I’m passionate about community, and I hope that by sharing our stories, we all feel a little less alone.
📝 This week’s musing…
There are moments throughout your life that you can look back on and know without a doubt that they changed you: when my parents got divorced, when I went away to college, when I found my faith, and when I met the man I would marry.
These catalysts transform you from the person you were to the person you are. They create a fresh foundation for your life and give you new lenses through which to view it.
Motherhood is the event that, up until this point, has transformed my life the most. It has reshaped my priorities, my values, and my perspective. It has made me more confident, more resilient, and more compassionate.
I feel joy more fully. There's nothing like listening to uninhibited baby giggles.
Sorrow more deeply. There's no pain quite like watching your child hurt.
Empathy more wholeheartedly. I now have a small glimpse into how hard life was for my mom as a single mother.
Pride more immensely. I never knew watching your 3-year-old sing "He's Got the Whole World" in a daycare performance could make your heart swell quite so big.
Anxiety more profoundly. I've spent more hours worrying these past four years than all the previous years combined.
Time has become my most valuable commodity. I feel each precious moment slipping through my hands like grains of sand.
There’s not a single part of my being that hasn't been impacted, and I'm forever grateful for the person these two boys have made me.
Our house has felt a bit crowded lately, so I've adopted a new motto—"make our house work for us." This means reorganizing our space to better suit our needs, and prioritizing functionality over aesthetics. We've tossed the idea of rooms that look picture-perfect and adopted new layouts that accommodate our current phase of life, and it's made a drastic difference.
We're not the same family that moved into this home five years ago, so we have no reason to believe our needs can't change either.
I say we adopt this same motto in our new lives as moms: "Make our life work for us." This means adapting to the changes that motherhood brings and finding ways to make our lives more fulfilling and balanced despite the challenges.
You're not the person you were before becoming a mom, so there's no reason to believe your needs can't change, either.
As a mother, your time is more precious than ever. The relationships you choose will shape your children’s lives. Your priorities have shifted, and your dreams have evolved. It's crucial to make changes that prioritize your well-being and make your life work for this new person you've become.
Undoubtedly, there will be more catalysts for change throughout my life, where I'll look back and reflect on who I was, but this Mother's Day, I want to express nothing but pure pride in who I am today.
In a season that makes us question every decision we make, and doubt if anything we’re doing is good enough, I want to encourage you to reflect on who you are and how far you’ve come. I bet you’ll be pretty proud of yourself too!
Thank you, mom, for being an incredible mom and “Kiki”.
✨ Friday favorites…
🎬 We watched The Idea of You this weekend and I am now Anne Hathaway’s biggest fan. She was incredible in the role, and I want her entire wardrobe. I haven’t read the book, but it’s now on my “to read” list.
⛑️ If your kids are like mine, they want an ice pack for any cut, scrape, or bump, and I’m happy to oblige. I love these cute kids ice packs with washable covers.
📱 Group text messages with other moms! This week we discussed everything from swim lessons, to mom guilt, to a local AC repair recommendation. If you don’t have one, start one! Even just 1-2 other moms, it’ll be a game changer!
👯♀️ From one mom, to another…
Your words of wisdom, best piece of advice, and favorite hacks can make a difference in another mom’s journey. What has helped you survive this season? Email me to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
❝
Always look to the good side of things.
Andrea S. - Houston, TX
This week’s “Words of Wisdom” are in honor of Mother’s Day. It’s the best piece of advice one of our readers learned from her mama. Reply to this email and share yours!
Thank you for reading this week’s edition of Modern Motherhood Musings.
I’m wishing all of you mamas a very happy mother’s day. Just remember, that you are doing the hardest job in the world, and you’re doing a wonderful job at it.
Happy Friday, friends!
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