Disclosure: I’m a Sisterhood of Motherhood Partner and am a sponsored blog partner, but all opinions are my own. Please see below for additional disclosure.
It’s hard to express in words exactly how I feel about being a mom. One of the most difficult parts of being a mom for me has been my constant identity crisis. If I could go back to my pregnant self, I would want to tell myself that not only does being a mom change your life, it also will slowly, over time, change your identity.
Before being a mom I wouldn’t think twice about hearing kids yell out for their mom in the store. I would push along my cart and hear “mom, mom, mom!” from the row over and not even blink. When I became pregnant I would hear those little voices and think with smug excitement, “one day that will be me!”
Fast forward to now, almost three years into my journey of motherhood. Although I know to the outside world I am viewed as “mom” “Carter’s mom” or “mommy,” in my own mind I am still holding on to that part of my identity that is just “Rachel.” And sometimes that can be confusing!
I see other moms with their kids and think she looks like she has it all figured out, she looks like a mom who knows what she’s doing! Sometimes I feel in shock over being a mom when I look at my son, even though I know he is mine, it’s still unbelievable to me, like I am watching myself in a movie or a dream. And as I struggle with my own sense of being “me,” he continues to grow and learn every day! He’s growing into a person who is funny, loves discovering things and being helpful.
He has his own sense of self to discover and what’s my role in that? Being his mom! This is my new identity, my new self and my mew norm. I still have my role as “Rachel,” but I am learning how to balance the two!
Mom, mom, mom!
Oh, wait, that’s me!
Let’s talk! Have you struggled with your identity as “mom?” Do you ever have moments where you are still surprised at the thought of being a mom? I’d love to start a conversation with other moms about this, so please share your thoughts in the comments! After all, we are all moms together!
I am excited that this spring I am partnering with Similac to promote their Sisterhood of Motherhood program! The purpose of this program is to empower moms by encouraging people to:
- Accept: Get the world to accept that no one should be judging anyone’s parenting choices
- Unite: Unite together behind this idea.
- Support: Support each others choices as parents.
The point of the Sisterhood of Motherhood is to show that although we may be different in our journey and parenting choices, we are all parents who can support each other and lift each other up, despite any disagreements we may have. We are all in this together! I think the video Similac created to promote this campaign says it best- have you seen it?
Similac partnered with bloggers such as me for its Sisterhood of Motherhood Program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. Similac believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Similac’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
