“It doesn’t have to be a chore. The cleaning, the mundane daily master list… that’s the experience.”
‘She’s not a tally on the task list. She’s who I’m doing it for.’: Mom shares turning mundane tasks into magical moments for kids
‘Yes, I’m so lucky. I only had to sacrifice my hormones, my social life, and mental wellbeing. But hey, at least I’m lean!’: Woman shares anorexia recovery, road to healthy pregnancy
“It didn’t hit me when my heart rate was at 40 bpm and the doctor called cardiology in a panic. Or when I was freezing cold in the summer heat. Or when I woke up at 3 a.m. every morning, dripping in sweat. I finally realized something was wrong when I stopped loving my dog.”
Parenting Feels Like An Open Invitation For Criticism
“When I became a mom, I was shocked by the amount of unsolicited advice I received. The mommy shaming train took off the second I got pregnant.”
‘Make no mistake, we didn’t adopt because it’s hard or good. We chose to adopt because it matters.’: Mom emphasizes both struggle and beauty of adoption
“We had so many misassumptions of ‘what we wanted’ going into the process. We were nervous, excited, and completely clueless.”
‘She said no one would ever hire me again. I quit college and gave up on my dreams.’: Woman with amniotic band syndrome shares story, ‘I wouldn’t change anything’
“I thought my family and friends would be better off without me. Living with scars and all of the pain, insecurities, and fears they caused felt too hard. I felt like a burden, without purpose or worth.”
‘I went to uncurl the fingers on her left hand and realized she had none. I couldn’t sleep not knowing what this meant for her.’: Mom shares journey learning about daughter’s limb difference
“‘At least you know she’ll be right-handed!’ the nurse joked. There was a wave of grief when I realized someone may pull back their outstretched hand when her nubbins reached for it. Education is the key out of the shadows.”
‘How can I feel so much loss at a time I am the most grateful?’: Postpartum mom shares ‘paradoxical emotions’ after giving birth to second child
“Nothing prepares you for how hard postpartum hits. With the colossal love for this new life comes grief our world has changed.”
‘When I met her parents, it was the morning after my senior prom. We could barely see through our tears.’: Birth mom expresses the grief behind adoption
“Grief comes from love. If we never had to love, we wouldn’t miss it. Celebrate the awesome beauty, but don’t diminish the pain.”
‘Today is a bad day, and that’s okay. The bad days aren’t every day.’: Mom shares encouraging message for overwhelmed parents
“Some days, I feel so much pressure. It’s almost suffocating. So when I have a bad day like today, please don’t ask me if I’m fine. I’m not fine today. But I know I will be tomorrow.”
‘You won’t love your ballerinas or your baby dolls forever. Each day you’ll grow bigger, smarter, more independent.’: Mom cherishes little moments with her daughter while she can
“I’ll do my best to relax, and appreciate who you are in this moment. And I’ll try not to worry about everything that’s calling me away from you. Because tomorrow you’ll be bigger, and I don’t want to miss today.”