Mama, You Are Not Alone

09/03/2023

Grateful to spend a day solo with this little lady (and our pup Indie 🐾) supporting our little community on the last weekend of summer break. ☀️

We supported a beautiful local family farm at their annual event today. They donate 100% of the proceeds of their huge crop of sunflowers to in the name of their son, Owen. 🌻

Lucky for Lila (+ Indie! 🦮) her ice cream request was granted because our favourite ice cream shop was also on-site to support the cause! 🍦

The only thing missing on our trip was Auntie ’ caramels …we got there right after the last bag sold, but we were SUPER happy to hear that they had all sold out for the day. 🙌🏼

02/02/2023

“Ambition can be redefined over and over in designing a life that is aligned to what truly matters most to you.” —Neha Ruch

I am almost a year into redesigning my work life from home, (in part, to support the continued cycle of sickness with little kiddos 😵‍💫), and to support myself through my own transition into understanding and embracing what works best for ME in this stage of life.

This week, (the queen of tidy) publicly embodied this very sentiment by acknowledging that being at home with her three children is more important than having a tidy home. (Follow my gorgeous friend, , for her thoughts on this, too).

As mothers, we are so flexible in supporting the needs of everyone who depends on us; it is so refreshing to support a growing conversation that we can be flexible for OURSELVES and our own well-being.

If you find yourself balancing motherhood + career ambition, maternity leave + returning to work, stay at home parenting with a side hustle, and so many other variations of “in between”: Mama, you are not alone. 🤍

Right here with you,
Kiri | MAMAyana .ca

01/23/2023

🤍🤍🤍

They say the trenches can bring you closer
although it takes some time
But the light is very hard to see
When it’s so far out to climb

These early years of giving
As a father, and a mother
Remembering all the many things
And forgetting about each other

The musical beds, and little heads
That rest next to our own
Holding each other from afar
with the heart beat of our home

So much is left unsaid now
with no time left in the day
This love is what we know,
and not so much what we say

But every day I see you in them
In all the things you do
In all the ways you love them
And the ways you love me too

They’ve broken us down and built us up
They’ve made us who we are
It’s hard to remember it started with us
When between us feels so far

The trenches won’t last forever
We’ll look back on this time
A family we grew together
And I’ll take your hand in mine

I know some days are hard
But I’m loving them with you
I guess I’m saying I see you
And I hope you see me too.

These words are available for print on Etsy in different versions:
https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/1400320341/

Jess Urlichs, Writer
Art: O Trocatintas

12/13/2022

Working Mamas—you are not alone. 🤍🤍🤍

H E Y // sorry
I won’t be coming into work today.

No worries at all.
Was the reply.
Is everything alright?

She paused for a moment
as her finger hovered her phone.

———————————————————

Actually. It’s not. My baby had a scary high temperature last night and I haven’t felt that out in control as her mum before. The worry is debilitating. I haven’t slept a wink. My inner dialogue of fear and overthinking is exhausting and I’m tired in my bones. She won’t be put down, I’ll be lucky to get a meal in today and I’m already dreading tonight.

Everything feels quite insurmountable at the moment, actually. Our family can’t catch a break and the relentlessness of each kid taking turns bringing home a new germ is starting to take a toll on me, mentally and physically. I don’t know how much longer I can manage the juggle.

To add to the hard, my eldest is going through something quite heavy, so while I have you, I need next Friday off too. I know taking leave to meet appointment schedules isn’t ideal for the workplace, but it’s a necessity for us.

To be honest, this working mum gig is harrrrd enough trying to balance late meetings and school drop offs, but summoning the courage to call in sick, again, can be enough to tip me over the edge. It feels almighty ironic that I feel genuinely guilty for not being at work, while simultaneously feeling complete comfort in the decision to stay home with my sick child.

And to tell you the truth, calling in sick and the subsequent communication to staff that I’m away gives me overwhelming anxiety. I know I am letting people down, I know my workload continues to grow, I know there are times colleagues pick up my slack. And while I’m infinitely grateful, I can’t help but worry that the favours are side barred with fed up water cooler remarks.

So no, everything isn’t ok.
Not right now. It will be, but currently this season is challenging.
But thank you for asking.

——————————————————-

That’s what she really wanted to say.
Lay it all out.
But, instead
She wrote

Yep, everything is fine
Just the baby.. sick again.
Hopefully see you tomorrow.
I’m sorry!

11/08/2022

In the lead up to the holiday season, these are such wonderful gift suggestions. 🤍

11/03/2022

You know when your partner says he has to stop somewhere on the way home from work and the text comes through in the shape of a knife?
It’s not because you’re incapable.

It’s because you’ve been at capacity since 11:00am, and they really do feel like the longest 10 minutes of your life.

You know when someone asks after the kids but you also wish they’d ask how you were doing? You’re the one holding it together, the one unpacking bags, thoughts and feelings.
It’s not because you’re selfish.

It’s because the mother needs mothering too.

You know how you don’t get the invite sometimes and it’s probably because you say "no" a lot. And so you feel a little empty and resentful?
It’s not because you’re being petty.

It’s because you want people to see you through all the unseen, even if you forget to see yourself.

You know how you keep numbers in your head like birth weights and play dates, milestones and appointments, and you find it hard to hand any of it over?
It’s not because you’re a control freak.

It’s because it has always fallen on you, and even though you have a supportive partner, you know you’ll somehow always carry that weight.

You know how you flip your head forward in the morning and tie your hair into something that resembles goodness knows what, and someone mentions something about self care?
It’s not because you’re not trying.

It’s because maybe their village looks different to yours.

You know how they say to enjoy every minute, but you’re literally giving so much of your energy right now. This is what happens when you become a mother. You give and you give and you give until it feels like there's not a lot left.
It’s not because you’re ungrateful.

It’s because this is the reality some days, this is a season.

We are held when we're small, but sometimes not enough when we feel small.

I know, because same.

www.instagram.com/jessurlichs_writer/

Jess Urlichs, Writer
Art: This Mama Doodles

10/31/2022

Some days, I just need a mom break…

A day to check out.
A day to stop being needed.
A day to not answer every. single. question.

A day to myself.
A day to escape.
A day to self care.

Some days, I just need a mom break…

A break because I’m breaking.
I’m cracking.
I’m falling apart at the seams.

I’m mentally depleted.
My brain is on empty.
My emotions are spiraling.
My body has started shutting down.

I’m short.
I’m snappy.
I’m tired. I’m so FREAKIN’ tired.

I’m not happy.
So no one is happy.
Because moms hold the happiness.

Moms give the love and create the whole home with it.
We give and give and give some more.

Some days, I just need a mom break.

I need to rest.
I need to recharge.
I need to find peace within me.

Because there is no doubt I love my kids, but some days I just need a mom break so I can give them all of that love.

Words by: New Adventures in Motherhood
Follow me here and on IG!

Illustration by: O Trocatintas

10/23/2022

I was very grateful to have been able to share my story with CBC Vancouver. As always, I hope by sharing, that others can feel less alone.

For the moms reading this: I have often shared that my experience in motherhood has been challenging, alongside being joyful, wonderful, and exhausting. Through this diagnosis, I have been able to understand why my experience has been (and continues to be) additionally challenging for me where it may have been easier for others.

The message I share here at MAMAyana has always been clear: Mama, you are not alone.

Most doctors in the province are not properly trained to diagnose and treat ADHD

10/20/2022

Mama, you are not alone, if…

…the revolving door of sickness means that your newly set up second screen (for work-from-home efficiency) is set up with while you try to deliver on a deadline…🤪🤦🏼‍♀️

06/07/2022

Love this reminder! 🤍 As a mom, sometimes the hardest thing is just putting one foot in front of the other day after day.

Lately for me that looks like being under-slept and exhausted, with a never-ending to do list (aka mental load) and little people that constantly need my attention (or snacks 😂).

So if you needed this reminder, add this one to it: as moms, we prove to ourselves DAILY that we can do hard things. 🙌🏼

Mama, you are not alone.
-Kiri
___
Regram: The only way we can grow is by doing what feels hard, and we won’t know what hard things we are capable of achieving until we try.

What was the last thing that you did that felt hard, but you did it anyway?

06/02/2022

What a powerful read written by a beautiful mama. 🤍

Her disabilities are not anyone’s inspiration. And while her job is not to teach others, she has unintendedly moved me to accept my own disability.

05/25/2022

🤍 Repost:

05/09/2022

Mother’s Day can be both beautiful and challenging (not unlike motherhood)—sending love out to those who need it today and everyday whether you’re celebrating, being celebrated, or wish that you were.

Whatever today means for you, know that you are not alone. 🤍

-Kiri | .ca

PS - for those interested in entering, our Mother’s Day giveaway with .ca ends tonight at midnight! (Head to the giveaway post to enter!)

05/06/2022

Women's Mental Health x MAMAyana
MOTHER’S DAY GIVEAWAY! ✨


Women’s Mental Health and MAMAyana are celebrating Mother’s Day and Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week with a giveaway! 🎉

One lucky winner will win a self-care package valued at over $225!

Giveaway includes:

▫️ a You Are Not Alone Classic Crew (Mother’s Day Special Edition)
▫️ a MAMA You Are Not Alone Mug

▫️ a $20 Starbucks Gift Card

▫️ a copy of Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart book

▫️ a one-year Calm App subscription

HERE IS HOW TO ENTER ON INSTAGRAM:


1️⃣ Make sure you’re following BOTH .ca + .ca on Instagram to be eligible to win!


2️⃣ Like this post

3️⃣ Save this post for later


4️⃣ Tag a deserving recipient in the comments (each comment is an individual entry; one tag per comment)

*️⃣ BONUS: Share this post in your stories for an additional entry

**Giveaway closes at 11:59PM PST on Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 8th).**


This giveaway is open to all residents in Canada. The winner will be selected at random and announced on .ca and .ca IG stories on Monday, May 9th. Prize will be shipped following the close of the giveaway. This contest is not endorsed or affiliated with Instagram.

[.ca + .ca are the ONLY accounts that will be contacting you about winning: please watch out for and report any spam accounts.]