Confessions
Parenthood has its ups and downs, and though it’s the hardest thing we’ve ever done, it’s also the most rewarding.
Here are the stream of consciousness posts, personal reflections, and the thoughts that so many of us share.
I Tried Traditional Chinese Postpartum Confinement
What is Chinese postpartum confinement, and why is it gaining popularity in the west? During pregnancy, mothers are encouraged to eat healthy, stay active and do everything that is necessary to keep the fetus healthy. However, we seem to not have the same care for mothers postpartum. in many parts of the world, the newborn…
Women Are Sharing How They Decided to Have Kids (Or Not)
Some people know all their lives that they want to be parents, but for many of us, it’s not that clear. Recently I shared the stories of parents who are one and done and parents who decided to have multiple kids and how I personally decided to start a family. But what about those who…
Parents of More than One Child Share Why They Had Two (Or More)
After having my son, I was plagued by a constant question in my mind. I barely had a newborn, but I was already obsessed with trying to figure out if I should have another. In those early days, I was so sure I wanted two. I was plotting ways to convince my partner that two…
Parents of One Child Share Why They Are One and Done
It’s the question on many parents’ minds when it comes to family planning – how many kids should we have? What’s feasible for us and what important considerations are there for all involved? I started thinking about it since my 38 week of pregnancy with my first (and only) child. I obsessed about it multiple…
Things My Husband Doesn’t Hear
Last month, I went on my first ever business trip abroad since becoming a mom. Prior to that, Garrett and I went to Burning Man for a week, so for the bulk of September I was away from my 14 month old. It was tough and I missed him a lot, but I was also…
Reflections on My First Year as a Mom
I’ll always remember how I felt when we decided to get pregnant. I had been in French Polynesia and was leading a full month of whale swim tours. Humpbacks come to the islands to birth their young and to mate, and I was in the water with them every day for 30 days straight. It…
What I Wish I’d Done Differently Postpartum
I don’t know about you, but I had my fourth trimester all dreamed up in my mind. It would be nourishing, I’d feel totally supported, and since my pregnancy had been easy and lovely, I hoped postpartum would be, too. Instead I got my world rocked. Don’t get me wrong. There were still wonderful moments…
The Child Decision – Should You Have Kids?
Around this time last year, I was in the final stretch of my pregnancy, about to have my first child at 36. I’d had a wonderful, fulfilling life up until then. I was one of those people for whom the child decision was not easy. I could have happily gone either way, though I felt,…
Going from One to Two Kids: 25 Honest Reflections
When we learned we would be having a second child, I expected our life to shift. I couldn’t wait for our son to have a sibling, and I was excited to raise my children as close comrades. Even so, there were so many changes I never anticipated between parenting one and two kids. As I…
25 Life Lessons I Learned from My Toddler
Raising a baby resets a parent’s priorities, gives Mom and Dad a new purpose, and shifts the day-to-day routine. Then that baby becomes a toddler, and they begin to explore and react to the world differently. They become expressive and adventurous, and they learn how to communicate their emotions to the people around them. They…
What If I Didn’t Enjoy the Early Days Enough?
My baby turns eight months old tomorrow. Eight months, how did that happen? I’d heard it said that the days are long but the months (and years) are short and now that we’re here I feel it to my core. I was lucky with an easy pregnancy. I enjoyed it all the way up until…
Why I Quit My Job to Become a Stay-at-Home Mom
Women are doing amazing things in this world. They’re founding booming businesses, running countries, and making medical breakthroughs. Remarkable women are improving the world around them and setting inspiring examples for girls everywhere. Despite the female success stories that surround us, our culture is one in which women often have to put in extra work…