Welcome to our best blog series, Mom-hood! I am so excited to share the advice, encouragement, and stories of some amazing moms with you. Every guest blogger is not only a mother, but a business-savvy individual who is raising their tribe the best way they know how. I hope this series is not only relatable and inspiring, but offers comfort in knowing that every mother doesn’t have it all figured out, and we’re all just doing the best we can with what we’re given. Thank you so much, Dani for sharing with us your thoughts and feelings. I know I can definitely relate to a lot of this on my journey through parenting and I know our readers will, too. Xx Adrianne
In a few short sentences, tell us about your sweet family and what made you want to share your motherhood journey with the world.
My name is Dani and I am a stay at home mom with our son, Tanner, who is 17 months old. We are also expecting a baby girl the week of Christmas! Our son and daughter will be 19 months apart. I love all things creative and crafty so I began blogging about 3 years ago. Blogging started out as a hobby where I could share my style, DIYs, and home-making with the world. As soon as I became a mother, it was inevitable that my blog would encompass my journey in motherhood: the good, the bad, and the beautiful.
What is the best thing about being a mom?
The best part about motherhood is knowing that my body grew this human that is half of my husband, and half of me. Since Tanner was born, something new and exciting is happening in our world just about every day. We adore him and loving watching him learn new things and reach new milestones. We are those proud, cheesy parents.
What’s your biggest motherhood challenge?
My biggest motherhood challenge is something that is just beginning. I am learning how to navigate through disciplining a toddler. My husband and I want to be “good” parents who do not just give in to whatever our kid wants. IT IS HARD, so hard. He throws fits and cries when he can’t have fruit snacks at 7am, but we are all learning together and figuring out what works best for our family.
If you could give one bit of advice to other moms what would it be?
Motherhood takes a village. We all go through similar experiences and have similar feelings so ask for help and ask for advice. The days that you feel defeated, know that you are not alone. I believe I am a better parent because I lean on other moms for support and encourage others to do the same.
What is something you do for “me time”?
During my me time (wait, when is that?!), I enjoy creating new blog content, grabbing coffee or a glass of wine with friends, and going to the gym. Sometimes it seems like I have not had me time in weeks, but I try to schedule it in because we all need it for our sanity!
What characteristic do you admire most in other mothers?
Patience. Whenever I see a mom in public or a friend being patient with their child, I admire them. It is the sweetest characteristic of a mother to me. Patience when you child is having a melt down is not easy, but it takes a wise parent to do so.
What’s something you’d like to achieve for yourself as your kids get older?
When my children are older, I would like to go back to work in the field that I got my degree in. I have a Masters in developmental psychology, focusing on early childhood, age 0 to 5. I am passionate about closing the developmental gap between low-income children and their more affluent peers.
Name a woman (or women), past or present, whom you admire.
I have to be cliche and say my mother. She has always believed in my hopes, my goals, and never puts down my opinion. One of my favorite things about her home-making is how special she makes the holidays! I have so many sweet memories from my childhood, filled with so many family traditions during the holidays. This is something I hope to pass along to my children! My husband and I have started a few of our own traditions, borrowed or inspired by my mother.
Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your first-time mom self?
I think something a lot of first time moms can relate to is the struggle of trying to feed your baby. Learning what works for baby and mom can be daunting at first. I would tell my first-time self that how you feed your child (breast milk, pumping, or formula) does not define you as a mother. All that matters is that you are practicing self care for yourself so that you can be the best mom to your new bundle of joy.
What quotation or or saying sums up your life as a parent?
Someone once told me, “the days are long, but the years are short.” I did not grasp what that meant until a few months after our son was born. Time was moving so fast and so slow, at the same time. Looking back, it was In the blink of an eye that Tanner was one! He is learning something new every day and we have baby number 2 on the way!
What does being a mom mean to you?
I know it’s the most important job that I will ever have. It is the hardest job and the most rewarding job that I will ever have. I want to do my best to raise Godly and kind children that love others and serve selflessly. I want my kids to be strong, bright, and brave when the rest of the world is a mess. I want my children to be gentle and humble, so being a mom means giving it your all to raise good people.
