How would you describe your transition into motherhood?

Confusing. Exhausting. Uncomfortable. Challenging. Amazing.

There’s no right or wrong answer here.

Big changes happen physically, emotionally, socially, and mentally during pregnancy, postpartum, and long after your baby is born. Things that aren’t talked about as often as they probably should be.

If you’ve ever struggled with feeling like you’ve lost who you are in motherhood. Or that something was missing. Or maybe you love your children so much, but you feel a little guilty for wanting to pursue dreams outside of being a mom.

You are totally normal. And so many moms I talk to share those similar thoughts, including myself.

I’ve had the honor of being a guest on several other motherhood podcasts and more often than not, the host wants me to speak about identity in motherhood. I’ve talked a little about my journey before on the podcast and I’m, happy to share my story.

I’m not a psychologist, mental health professional of any kind, minister or scholar on discovering your identity in motherhood.

I’m just a mom like you who has gone through some pivotal moments and experiences that have shaped me into who I am and I’m sharing what I’ve learned. My hope is that maybe it will help you too.

There are three big ways that I found helped me to discover my identity in motherhood after struggling with the physical and emotional transition immediately after birth and through the following year postpartum.

In this episode, I’m talking about the first way that helped me in the journey to discovering who I am as a mother: giving yourself permission.

Permission to move forward as a new version of yourself. 

Not a better or worse version of yourself, but a different version of yourself.

I talk about

• What is personal identity
• Why I think so many women struggle with the transition into motherhood and their identity as a mom
• The first step to discovering your identity as a mother
• How and why it’s important to normalize the challenges and realities of motherhood

Links & Resources

Dr. Alexandra Sacks’ TED talk on ‘matrescence’

Matrescence: The Developmental Transition to Motherhood

More about the Gotcha Mama Podcast:

The Gotcha Mama Podcast is where we share honest stories of the joys and struggles of mom-life with young kids.

Each week host Amanda Bennett interviews a mom about topics ranging from awkwardly making mom friends, to chasing BIG dreams and finding purpose, to managing crippling anxiety and depression. You’ll hear stories from moms like you with the purpose to inspire, encourage, and entertain you.

We understand that motherhood can be lonely and make you doubt yourself. The Gotcha Mama Podcast exists to let you know that you are not alone as a busy mom of young kiddos, no matter what you’re dealing with.

The show is all about tearing down our insecurities as moms by honestly sharing our stories and a little of what we’ve learned along the way.

We believe it’s a whole lot better riding the rollercoaster of motherhood together!

Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Also, please take a second and leave your honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts.  Ratings and reviews are important and greatly appreciated!  And I do personally read each and every one of them.

You can also listen on Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.