As a struggling first-time mom and full-time doctoral student in my late 20’s, I discovered Mom Blogs. Suddenly the voices of so many struggling, experienced, wise, humorous, compassionate mothers I never met from around the world helped to guide me. What an amazing new development in the motherhood community!
I started this blog in my early 30’s, as soon as Big Son was in Kindergarten full-time and my doctoral work was over.
In the whirlwind 5 years before this blog, I moved cities, started a Ph.D in Education, moved in with my now husband, Polar Bear, adopted our first child, Big Son, (suddenly and by surprise!), got engaged, moved house 3 times, helped our son overcome trauma and bond with us, planned a DIY wedding and got married, cared for my aging father who battled cancer and then passed away in our home, completed my Ph.D, helped my husband through a season of unemployment and career change which came with debt and financial struggle, lost other beloved extended family members, got pregnant and miscarried, and acquired two family pets: a rabbit and a large dog.
Is it any wonder that we are now a family looking to rest, simplify, and live our best minimalist life?!
Those five years were truly a difficult passage of my life, yet also filled with more love, happiness and true satisfaction than I ever could have imagined. Since then, Polar Bear and I have taken time to rest and care for our own well-being, and now we feel ready to grow our family and care for others again. We have recently become certified foster parents, and we are also thrilled to be planning the adoption of a newborn baby later this year.
Every day I strive to remember that during this very busy season of my life as a mother of littles, I am privileged to do this job. Modern motherhood is stressful. It’s a different endeavour than it’s ever been before. We live life at a more hurried and frantic pace than ever before, and mothers are more isolated than ever before. But when I have the support of other moms, other women, other humans all around me, it gets easier. Then I can remember that I am extremely privileged to be Mom to these great spirits in tiny bodies.
What a beautiful welcome, Mary! And a lovely reminder to appreciate the unique bonds of motherhood — between us as fellow moms and between each of us and our little ones — and also the joyous messes that come with the job. 🙂 Looking forward to following your amazing journey!
Congratulations and blessings dear Mary. You write with such great depth, compassion and love. I am so moved to hear your story and it made me reflect on my own story. The living a simplified life rang so true.
I wish you the very best. I fondly remember my overnight stay at your home with your family and remember the love you share. We now have a granddaughter – she is now the age your son was when we visited and recently I was thinking of him. What a darling boy he is – Big son indeed. You are an inspiration Look forward to reading your blogs and all my love and best wishes to you all.