When We Become Brittle

As a mother, managing this hunger is a daily dance as we can’t always put ourselves first. In fact, we often need to put children first and in doing so get further away from our own feeding and need for care.

A World of Extremes

So the question arises, is there life in the middle? And if so, what the hell does that look like? And yet because life is constantly changing, constantly in flux, throwing you from one end of the spectrum to the other, there is no living permanently in the soft middle. The middle is only a place we visit, an inner sanctum we’re continually called to come back to, to find our ground, our solace, our resilience and our relief.

Creativity + Motherhood

You can't go back to the way you were, for you are forever changed, and while you know you aren’t who you used to be, the newest version of you is still emerging. Now is the time to nourish the well of creativity, not to hastefully tap it again.

Questions for When You’re a Mom Who’s Lost

There are times as a mother when I literally forget who I am. Times when I get so sucked into the laundry list of life that I struggle to locate ME. When that happens I plop myself down and write. I ask and answer big questions and in the writing, I’m always brought back home to myself.

Baby Bodies

May she look at them and say, "My mother taught me to accept my body as she is. To trust her changing, flowing nature. I choose body reverence over body revulsion and I will never abandon myself or my body for whatever false love "perfection" brings. My body is my own and not open to commentary."

MotherhoodJamie GreenwoodNovember 27, 2017mothering, daughters, body image, baby bodies, loving our bodies, body positive, self compassionComment

Mother’s Work

Some little shitty voice tells me that though nursing, clothing, washing, cooking for, diapering, and feeding my babe is important, it's not AS important as my work outside of the home. It'll never be as important as the work that brings in cold hard cash.

The NEW LIFE of Motherhood

I used to think children ruined your life. I used to think I'd have no time for work or fun or rest. I used to think I'd be so worn down by months of middle of the night feedings that I'd be unable to function. I used to think having children would just be too hard.

MotherhoodJamie GreenwoodJuly 28, 2017mothering, parenting, new mother, new baby, doing hard things, self compassion, personal growthComment

What You Used to Know

There was a time when you thought you were wise. A time when you thought you had answers. A time when you didn't fixate on nap times and the question "what's for dinner?" And isn't it always when we gain some semblance of perceived understanding that it's time to become a student again?

MotherhoodJamie GreenwoodJune 28, 2017mothering, new mother, parenting, new babies, newborn, doing hard thingsComment

Thank you, Mothers.

You are not changed by motherhood, you are utterly transformed. Stripped of who you were (What the hell did you do with all that free time you used to have?), thrown into the fire, melted down to your core and built up again into someone you don't recognize.

MotherhoodJamie GreenwoodMay 14, 2017mother's day, mothering, postpartum, doing hard things, transformation, parentingComment

Nowhere to Hide

All newness is tough. New kid in school, new relationship, new job. And what we’re being asked to remember is that firsts are also an invitation to touch upon our resilience and the possibility of adventure.

MotherhoodJamie GreenwoodApril 21, 2017mothering, new mother, newborn, new babies, postpartum, showing upComment

Enough

Is it really enough of a contribution that I spend our days feeding, burping, changing, and soothing? Certainly I could be doing more? Certainly I could find some way to prove my worth to society while stuck in this nursing chair?

MotherhoodJamie GreenwoodApril 3, 2017mothering, new mother, being enough, self compassion, being presentComment

Never Say Never

Round the clock feeding. Sleep deprivation. Aching back. Cracked nipples. Clothes that are now throw-up catchers. And the shit. Literal shit that somehow finds its way out of diapers and onto legs, hands, feet, and ears.

MotherhoodJamie GreenwoodMarch 26, 2017mothering, new babies, doing hard things, parenting, postpartum, new motherComment

Change is Guaranteed

Don't wish away what is such a sweet, tender, hard, exhilarating and ultimately short time. The two of you have the rest of your lives to be older. In fact, older is guaranteed.

MotherhoodJamie GreenwoodMarch 15, 2017mindfulness, being present, breathe, mothering, new babiesComment

Reckless and Wonderful

Yes, having children is reckless. As is starting a business, falling in love, taking on a new project, making time for art or speaking up when it’d be so easy to keep the peace. And yet it’s on the other side of reckless that we find the heart and growth that brings purpose, wisdom and deep satisfaction to our lives.

Motherhood, Mindfulness/SpiritualityJamie GreenwoodJanuary 16, 2017reckless, wonderful, motherhood, taking risks, showing up, leaning inComment

This body is not taking comments.

When we praise a woman for being “small" we both offer our twisted belief that smaller is better and then shower ourselves with self judgment for not being small, or at least, not “small enough”. This example also works if we were to praise a woman for her being “tall” or “large”, believing that larger is better and then judging ourselves and others for not being “large enough”.

Motherhood, Relationships, Self CareJamie GreenwoodOctober 24, 2016body positive, body image, pregnancy, healthy body, mothering, feminismComment

Are you ready or willing?

This process or period of changing from one state or condition to another is so common that if you’re living here on planet earth (as an animal, vegetable and even mineral) you’ve certainly experienced some kind of transition. Some transitions we’re eager for (first love, driver’s license, new home) and some, well, they find us. In fact, sometimes it feels like we’re being hunted by change with nowhere to hide.