Mamahood Exposed: Being a Mama

Mamahood Exposed continues by asking the question, "What is it to be a Mama?"

Hello Moda Mama readers!  I am really really excited to be guest posting on Joanna's blog today! I work with Joanna over at RevolutionizeHer and I know in just our short time working together that she is an amazing woman, mother, and role model! I really look up to her and her passions {and fashions!} about motherhood. I feel so honored to be sharing her blog today!

I guess I should introduce myself.  My name is Megan Robinson and I am a wife, mommy, random dance party-er, joker and wannabe yoga master! I blog over at {And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson} and I love it!! I have had my little bloggity-blog for a while but just recently started developing a real passion for it. I like to talk about everything from my family, marriage, my chubby boy and my every day struggles that we can all relate to.

Today, I wanted to share something that I have learned about what it means to be a mother. For a while after my son was born I started really suffering from depression. And my emotions took an even sharper turn south once I started criticizing myself about how I was {or am} as a mother.  I would get even more down when I would listen to how other people seemed to define mothers and their purpose, both with people who don't have children and other mothers themselves. Obviously we are all in different situations and have different perspectives of what being a mother entails.  But I realized it was important to define what being a mother means to me.

To me, a mother isn’t just someone who has children but someone who cares for, nourishes and appreciates her children's individually.
To me, a mother doesn’t feel obligated to spend time with and take care of her children. But has an overwhelming desire to nurture her children.
To me, a mother doesn’t just love her children, she enjoys them.
To me, a mother is someone who is there for her children not just physically but psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually.
To me, a mother doesn’t only teach her children how to learn and grow, but in in the process progresses herself and finds her own fulfillment through her children and learning how to be a mother.
To me, a mother knows who she is aside from being a mother. Being a mother doesn’t limit her but instead stretches her abilities to help her become a stronger and better woman.
Most importantly, a mother isn’t a way to define yourself. It is a way to lead you to something better.

There have been days/weeks/months where it’s really hard for me be the best mom I knew my son deserved.  A lot of times I feel obligated, I feel emotionally unstable to nurture him, I feel like I’m just going through the motions to get through the day, I feel unfulfilled, I feel limited, & some days I feel so frustrated that even though I know I love my son, I don’t take the time to fully enjoy his sweet spirit and energetic personality.  Through my process of rediscovery, I have been learning that as I figure out who I am, love myself, and find what helps me feel fulfilled and accomplished, being the mother that I know I want to be and hope to be seems to fall into place.  I have learned what it means to be a true mother and what I need to do to be the mother I want to be for my children. Instead of settling on being the obligated, emotional, limited one.

Thank you again for allowing me to share a personal story with you all! I really hope you all stop by and share some of your stories with me so we can all learn to be the best people we can be together!

Are you a Mama with a story to tell?
Send your submission to joanna.haughton@hotmail.com