A Real Chat About Life, Moms, and Chaos

I recently had my good friend Natasha—who is also a Child Development Consultant—on my podcast. It was such a fun episode, full of laughter, tangents, and meaningful conversations about mothering. I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the key insights from our conversation, because I think they could really resonate with other mothers.

Different Paths: Stay-at-Home vs. Working Mom

Nat is a stay-at-home mom, and I’m a work-from-home mom. That difference brings its own challenges and societal expectations.

For stay-at-home moms like Nat, there’s an unspoken assumption that you’ll do everything in the house. There’s also the constant questioning: “When are you going back to work?” Even when your partner is working from home, the expectation to manage everything can be overwhelming.

For working-from-home moms like me, there’s another layer of scrutiny: “You’re not even with your kids, you must not care about them.” Or passive-aggressive comments about daycare schedules and productivity. No matter what we do, society makes it hard to “win” as a mother.

What I’ve learned is that you can’t let other people define your choices. You can’t make everyone understand your path, and that’s okay. What matters is knowing what works for you and your family.

Parenting With Low Energy

A big part of our chat turned to motherhood and energy levels. As a mom with lower energy, navigating my daughter’s endless activity can be challenging—but there are ways to make it work.

We talked about creating spaces where my child can burn off her energy while I preserve mine. It’s not about being lazy—it’s about working with your natural rhythm and acknowledging that mental energy is just as draining as physical energy.

Slow Mothering: Small Actions, Big Impact

Nat and I both practice what I call slow mothering. You don’t need fancy toys or elaborate activities to engage your children. Even small tweaks make a huge difference.

For example, rearranging a playroom can create a whole new world of play without buying anything new. Including kids in everyday tasks—dusting, mopping, baking—teaches them responsibility, creativity, and resilience. Play and inclusion are powerful tools for connection.

One small tip Nat shared: Don’t add to the fun too soon. If a child is playing happily, let them enjoy it. Only step in when they start to lose interest. This builds attention span and teaches them how to entertain themselves.

Supporting Children’s Unique Needs

Nat’s background as an educator specializing in learning differences really shines through in her mothering. She recognizes that not all kids learn the same way, and that’s okay. Early support, accommodations, and attention to each child’s needs set them up for long-term success.

As a therapist, I resonate with this. Understanding children, observing them, and responding intentionally creates a nurturing environment where they can thrive—whether at home, in daycare, or eventually in school.

Reflection

Mothering is messy, beautiful, chaotic, and intentional all at once. It doesn’t matter if you’re a stay-at-home mom, a work-from-home mom, or balancing everything in between—the key is to honor your choices, show up authentically, and connect with your children and your village in ways that feel meaningful to you.