New Series: #MomLifeMusings

As I’m sure you’ve heard me say a million times in the past, my goal with A Little Too Loud is to grow a community of powerful, complicated mamas that empower each other to be confident in their “too much-ness;” whatever that may be. I want this space to be more than just the Chickie and SHR show, ya know? I want to hear from YOU and be a platform where mom’s from all walks of life can share their experiences so we can grow and learn together. Well.. in pursuit of that goal I came up with a new SERIES  (LTL’s first ever!) called #momlifemusings. Let me explain…

I am just one mom with one baby (two if you count Peter the pup, which you know I do 😂). Motherhood is HUGE and so complex, and scary and exhausting- it’s a LOT! I have no interest in pretending I know everything about being a mom. What’s the value in that? Zero. Instead, for topics I don’t know much about or I haven’t experienced- and even those that I have!- I want your input, your ideas and your stories. Our definitions of motherhood are shaped by what we experience as mothers. Let’s share those moments, and figure out what it means to be a mom.. together. ❤️

That sounds great Steph, but HOW?

I’m envisioning this as (if nap-time allows) a bi-weekly series featuring YOUR thoughts on #momlife and it’s challenges! It doesn’t have to be in any particular format- whatever YOUR #momlifemusings are is what I want to see! Is it a photo? a poem? a drawing? Is it a funny quote from your kiddo? Is it a more traditional blog post on something close to your heart? bullet points? Anything and everything that captures what #momlife is to you, LTL will take!  All you have to do is e-mail me your thoughts and done! I will then reach out and either hash out your idea, straight up post-it or something in between. What do you think? I am happy to talk you through and idea, give you some pointers or whatever else you need in order to share your story. You can do this!!

Let’s get the ball rolling

To get us started, I asked my close friend Carla Mae  to share her #momlifemusings. I didn’t ask for anything in particular- I know she’s an #overtiredmama (like most of us!) so I was very clear that ANYTHING  that reflected what she was feeling/thinking in this moment of her mama journey would be perfect. I got back the bullet points below and they totally work! I’m telling you…the format should NOT be a barrier to you sharing your story.

To give you a little bit of background, Maecy’s mom is one of my mama’s childhood BFFs so we go waaaay back. As you’ll soon learn, Maecy is an kindergarden teacher with a Masters in Early Childhood Intervention. Her baby girl Alicia was born just this past May and mom wrote the text below in mid September- baby was just under 4 months old.  How does has this overqualified mommy been feeling/dealing with baby’s first months at home? Let’s take a peak into Maecy’s #mombrain why don’t we..

From Maecy:

• It is so true that raising your non-existent hypothetical child makes you the perfect parent. Then the real deal comes along and…. talk about nature’s most effective reality check!

• I knew it would be hard, but I never expected it to be such a challenge to my character. This is the most extreme test of my patience I’ve ever experienced, and I’m a Kindergarten teacher! I read every book and article, I have a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Intervention, I was ready… NOPE! No one can ever be truly ready.

• Having a mommy BFF with a baby the same age as mine has been a LIFE SAVER. We text each other 24/7 for moral support, to blow off steam, to share anecdotes, experiences, tribulations, tears… it has helped me survive these first couple of months.

• I’ve always wanted 2 kids, but during those sleepless nights, when the baby cries inconsolably, all I can think of is: how the hell do people do this more than once? (My grandma had 6 kids… WTF).

• Nothing frustrates me more than the thousands of methods there are for every single thing. Sleeping and sleep training, swaddling, pacifier use, potty training, feeding, colic, gas and any other baby subject you can think of. It is enough to drive any mom insane. How is one supposed to know who to listen to or what method to follow? In the end, it is what works for you and your baby. What helps you stay sane and survive to most trying experience life can offer, motherhood.

There you have it! A peak into another mama’s head.. What do you think? Do you like this little idea of mine? Let me know in the comments below! I can’t wait to hear you #momlifemusings..

Until next time,