The Motherhood Project, Part 1
When I started Re:create in January 2022, I was hopeful, but not confident that our second child would be born before the new year. I’ve been absent in this space since shortly after its creation as a means of survival, and closed out my first successful year freelancing with 4 clients on 6 jobs - with a newborn and a toddler. Something had to give, a lot of me - as the mother - wanted to give. Throughout the often mundane, long days and nights postpartum, I’ve had so many unfiltered thoughts/realizations/moments I so badly wanted to say/transcribe/keep with me forever but are lost in time. Every chance I get to sit down and write uninterrupted (IYKYK it’s not many), my mind goes blank savoring the quiet. Is it mom brain or mindfulness?
Last November, I started working part-time for an incredible nonprofit that’s dear to my heart, Roots Family Collaborative (Roots), while hanging on for dear life with two young children primarily at home. My journey to and through parenthood thus far is another story, and one that brought me to Roots for support many times along the way. My work for Roots has been my ‘me’ time. It brings me endless joy and fulfillment to support young families in our community as one alongside them, and I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity during this season in life.
One takeaway from the Roots community is that for many, this time in life is transformational, and therefore uncomfortable. It often feels like nothing is working, like you’re broken - because your dreams, goals, and identity are rapidly changing while your ego is simultaneously dissolving. Reborn. Becoming. Evolving. It’s raw and real - and beautiful and hard.
For me, freelancing has always been the dream, and will continue to be something I work towards sustaining. But in the process of this change, my values have shifted. For now, our family needs stability. So, after almost a 3 year power pause, this mama is looking for her next career chapter.
If you know me, you know one of my greatest strengths is trying something new. I once had a boss describe me as a generalist, further explaining that I was good at a lot of different things, but wasn’t an expert at any one thing. At first, I took offense, until I later grew to love and leverage that part of myself. I know it’s not for everyone, but more importantly - it’s me. And so, as I search for my next professional opportunity, I’m remaining open to many different roles and responsibilities.
Being primarily a stay at home mom has made my experience exponentially richer, and my values more clear. The skills, perspective, and lessons I've learned from motherhood have profoundly shaped the leader I am becoming. And it’s only just the beginning. Afterall, let’s look at the trending research…
If you’re seeking an employee with equal amounts of grace and grit. Hire a mom.
If you’re seeking an employee with the strongest ‘why' you could ever find. Hire a mom.
If you’re seeking someone who experiences vulnerability and courage facing the unknown daily. Hire a mom.
If you’re seeking someone with enough self-awareness and mindfulness to re-parent themselves alongside their children. Hire a mom.
If you’re seeking someone both fierce and tender to lead your pack with purpose. Hire a mom.
If you’re seeking a curious, critical thinker who can adapt easily and creatively. Hire a mom (specifically a toddler mom).
If you’re seeking someone who fails, and receives hard feedback daily. Hire a mom.
If you want an employee that has been thoroughly tested on interpersonal skills such as effective communication, conflict management, building trust, setting boundaries, accountability, and active listening. Hire a mom.
If you want an employee that has been thoroughly tested on technical skills such as organization, coordination, time management, scheduling, prioritization, strategic planning and multi-tasking. Hire a mom.
……. what am I missing?
Hopefully I’ll have the capacity to share more often. To finally finish all the fragmented reflections that make up the Case Study drafts lined up. All experiences of a lifetime to share when the timing aligns. But in this moment, I’m ‘in it’ in the best way possible, stumbling intentionally through parenthood. Until next time…