Dear Moms: You are Enough
As modern day women we work hard to be great moms all while juggling multiple roles as a wife, friend, co-worker, etc. A lot is expected of us, but usually we are our own worst critics. I am constantly beating myself up for feeling like I’m not doing enough.
I know I post pretty pictures to Instagram and show off all my fashion pics on this blog, but those are just snapshots of my life. It’s not the whole story. That’s why I try to post personal blog posts on here too about my “not so pretty” experiences of motherhood. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a mommy. But this new role has certainly tested me at my very core.
Some days I feel like I’ve focused too much on work and not enough on Molly. Other days I feel like I haven’t spent enough time on work. Sometimes I feel like my relationship is getting the shaft and some days I break down in tears because I feel like I can’t give my little poochie Owen the attention he’s used to and deserves. Man, being a parent is hard! And figuring out how to juggle all of my responsibilities as a mom, partner, business woman, and friend is near impossible. I never feel good enough. I often feel like I’m stretched so thin.
There are definitely times that I feel alone in all of this. Last week, I had one of those really rough days and needed a pick-me-up. Then I saw this video by Chicco NaturalFit and it brought me to tears! The story in this video reflects the universal truth that many moms & dads feel overwhelmed and underachieving, even when they are achieving so much.
Not only do I love the #NeverStopGrowing video but I am also proud to say that Molly loves their bottles! I knew my little girl was a smart little lady. I’m so glad she uses Chicco’s bottles so we can support a company that empowers moms in this way.
I hope you all take the time to watch the video! You can see it by watching the video below or by clicking HERE.
Thank you Chicco for sponsoring this post! Chicco provided me with its new NaturalFit bottle (we already had and used their bottles, but they sent us new ones!) and link to their touching video, but all the beliefs expressed above are my own because we use and love the products and the company’s mission to empower moms!
I love reading your blogs, getting updated pics on Instagram…I just wish you didn’t have to promote products. It all sounds natural and relatable until you start promoting. I know it’s part of your job but can’t you just show pics of you using the products?
This post is about so much more than just the product. It’s about the message they are sending to women! I think we really need some women empowerment in the world right now. But that said, I only discuss brands that we truly use and love. If you follow me on snapchat you’d see that I truly use the products I talk about. And sponsorship is a part of running a website love! Thanks for following my blog 🙂
I know sponsored posts enable you to keep providing great content. And the way you make your sponsored posts transparent is great. Keep up the good work!
I agree that being a parent can be challenging. You’re a good Mother to Miss Molly (& to Owen)
it shows! You should be proud of yourself. And Kevin should too.
Once in awhile we need to do something special for ‘Mama’.
It’s good for the soul (and our sanity) ha ha
Go Ali!
Thanks for saying all that Dixie 🙂 We need to find childcare so we can have a date night sometime in the near future. I wish our parents lived near us! Thanks for the sweet comment. xoxo
Some of the best date nights my husband and I have had were nights in after the kids were in bed. Order in from a fancy restaurant and decide on a movie ahead of time (to avoid the time drain that is picking something to watch on Netflix). It saves money and stress?
This is something we will definitely do once Molly actually goes to bed before us. Right now she is going down at like 8pm and we go right to bed with her! Ha! We go to bed really early. But that’s because she (and we) wake up really early too. I can’t wait to have some time to ourselves once she’s sleeping a little better 🙂
And I’ve never thought to order takeout from a fancy restaurant. Good idea!
So I just had my first baby on July 20, 2016! I enjoyed watching you go through your pregnancy because I was experiencing all the things you were talking about in your blog at the same time. I turned 30 yesterday (oct 8), and I just wanted to thank you for posting about real struggles because I am to struggling to find balance with being a mom, work, other relationships, and finding time for myself. I love all your posts about budget friendly fashion because it saves me time on shopping. ?
Ali, if being a modern mom is so stressful what is the motivation for us single ladies to give up our freedoms and settle down with a man and have babies? This is why so many people my age are just buying puppies instead. Also, inflation with no raises doesn’t help in a financial sense.
If all of her posts about her beautiful family are not motivation enough to have settle down and have a family I’m not sure what is. Sure it’s hard work and can be stressful at times. But what other role your life can you truly shape and influence another life. What other role can give you and let you express unconditional love. Your pets will only live so long, jobs come and go but being a wife and mother are forever.
Ali, thank you for having such a wonderful blog. As a first time mom (my son just turned 1) I enjoy reading about your fashion advice and love your pictures. I too struggle with trying to balance everything. Nothing can prepare you for the role of a mom. I hate that I don’t have time to clean or cook more often but I think it’s best to just take one day at a time. You sound like you have a great support system. You and your family are beautiful. I always look forward to seeing what you are up to.
Ali,
I really have no words. This was such an inspiring post. I have a 1 month old and I question and wonder how I will go back to work and do what I did before. I really need to remember to watch this in January right before I go back.
Thank you!!!
Thank you for posting this video. It is exactly what I needed to hear today 🙂 I feel empowered
Ali when you first had Molly you talked about some comfy Pj pant that you found you loved and were so comfy. I want to buy something like them for my granddaughter who is expecting to deliver end of November and she lives in Utah so she wants something warm and comfy. Where did you get them or do you have any other suggestions/
Oooooh I didn’t know Chicco had bottles! Thanks for sharing! Our baby currently only takes the tommee teepee bottles when he’s not stuck on my breast haha xo
Love your blog Ali! I am not a Mom, but I respect this so much!
I can 100% relate to this! I’m so aware that I’m trying way too hard and I STILL do it and feel let down at times. It’s something I work on daily. I quit my job in February (a job I LOVED) to stay at home with my now 8 month old and 2 year old. I am so thankful for the opportunity to watch them both grow and learn! That’s not to say we don’t have good days and bad days. Days where I wonder why I quit my job. So far for me, parenthood has been trial and error and I’m constantly working on prioritizing. I’ve been on both sides of the fence.. working mom and stay at home Mom so I totally get it! You’ll be OK. Pray about it. Talk about it with Kevin and other Mom’s. I love hearing that others are going through the same thing. It lets me know I’m not alone and it’s all going to be OK!! Support is crucial! We are currently working on sleep training with the 8 month old and it’s going wonderfully:) once Molly starts sleeping on a schedule you will feel like a new woman! Best of luck!!
I own a very successful home daycare in San Diego. I love reading your posts and I will pass the word on these bottles.
If I could offer some advice? I am a mother (she is now 27!) and have owned this daycare for over 15 years. Prior to that I was very successful in a sales career for a fortune 100 company.
Sometimes moms (including me when I first had my baby) overthink things and it becomes very stressful for us. I have had babies as young as 3 months start here. They stayed until they started kindergarten. Those babies thrived. They learned early on about independence, they develop social skills and Stimulation was always around them because they were always watching and interacting with the older kids.
They nap beautifully and learn to self soothe. If you find a good home daycare it could be one of the best things you do for yourself and for Molly. Just taking her a few times a week makes a big impact. And starting them young is the right way to go in my opinion because when they start later in life (around or close to 2 years old) the separation anxiety is much worse. When they start young, they grow up knowing the child care provider and the kids and they feel safe and loved. It gives you some time for yourself and to work or spend time with your little dog!
Just food for thought. I really enjoy your blog. Feel free to contact me if you would like any additional “thoughts” about daycare. I know they seem so young but again if you find the right provider it can be a great experience for everyone involved. Jodie