Motherly Stories

Rachael on how she tried to ignore her postpartum depression

Eventually I found the courage to leave with my daughter-to claim my motherhood back, my daughter back, myself back.

One day, all of this will be over

For the rest of our lives, this is a defining moment we will look back on when we need evidence of our strength.

Richelle on trying and failing to will her prenatal depression away

"I was ashamed that I was struggling with depression instead of experiencing pure joy, but I was not alone. You are not alone, and there is nothing shameful about it."

If your fertility treatments have been canceled due to coronavirus—I see you

All you can do is what is within your control right now. It's all any of us can do. But that doesn't make it any easier, I know.

This viral post from an ER nurse about separating from her child is heartbreaking

"I feel punished for having to be the 'good guy.' I have to send my 3.5yo child away. I won't get to visit her. I won't get to hug her. I won't get to tuck her in at night. We have FaceTime, and that's it. For up to a month, or who knows how long...and many of my coworkers have had to do the same."

Pregnant mamas—our babies are the hope the world needs right now

We're growing our babies during a monumental time in our world's history.

Grandparents, thank you for FaceTiming and learning how to use Zoom during this quarantine

We miss you a lot, and we're SO glad we can stay connected this way.

Taylor on how she finally admitted to her husband she needed help

"I packed a bag at one point so I could run away in the middle of the night. I told myself that they would be OK. He could find a wife that wasn’t such a burden and didn’t cry all the time. My daughter could have a mom that didn’t get angry at every little thing."

I lost my job because of the coronavirus pandemic

My boss called and asked if I could come into the office for a quick meeting. My stomach sank. I knew what was coming

Toni on what she wants moms to know about postpartum depression

"What was postpartum depression? No one told me this could happen. No one told me I wasn't a failure if I experienced it. No one told me they were there for me if I was struggling or there were steps I could take to heal."

I saved so much mental energy when I quit social media

I'm learning to accept that likes, loves and share reactions don't define my parenting or who I am as a person.

We both feel invisible in new parenthood—but I promise, I see you

I see a growing love for our daughter that is the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed in our decade together.

Black History Month: Teaching my daughters to celebrate Black women’s strength

Mothering Black girls, for me, can be fraught with the responsibility of teaching them Black women's stories while clearing space for them to write their own.

Our favorite date night is movies & takeout

If prioritizing your marriage doesn't look like dates out on the town, you're okay. Your marriage isn't doomed.

To the parents worrying about taking your kids on a flight—you can do this

Kids are not robots and we can't control their every move—no matter how much we prepare.

I don’t know how much longer I can keep trying to get pregnant

Am I broken?

I couldn’t have gotten through early motherhood without you

She must have sensed my neediness, because she invited me, a fragile stranger, into her apartment. It was cozy and inviting, strewn with kid stuff and safely baby-proofed. I lay my little one on a blanket on the floor and took a deep breath in, relaxing for the first time in ages.

My first trip away from my baby taught me I can handle anything

I could handle motherhood—I could handle this.

How I learned to cope with my child being a picky eater

He won't eat new things—but I was like that, too.

I didn’t wait three months to announce my pregnancy

Did you share your pregnancy early or did you wait?