March Mom of the Month: Kirsten

Tell us a little about yourself?

I’m Kirsten, I am a mommy of 4, I have 2 of my own and 2 bonus babies. I’m a fiancé, a lover and a friend. I am also a woman who is dedicated to figuring out who I am and on a journey of being the best I can for myself and my kids.  

What is the best part about being a mom?

My favorite part is watching my kids become their own person. They have a huge gap in age, my daughter is 15, and my son is 2. So watching him become his own little person is fun and watching my daughter become a little lady is rewarding, she has such a cool personality. 

How did starting over feel with baby boy and already having a teenager?

I felt like a brand new mother all over again. Everything changed, the car seats were different, the bassinets changed. I thought I was good because I had done this before, but it was literally night and day. When I had my daughter I was 15 and 8 months, and that’s the same exact age she is now. I was a child trying to raise a child. So when I had my son, I wanted to do everything right and felt I had to make up for it. 

What do you find challenging about motherhood?

Having to readjust again. Whether it’s my personal life or just motherhood in general. When it was me and my daughter, we could just get up and go. Now I have to make sure I have snacks and toys for my son, we can never do things spur of the moment like we did before, we have to prepare for the entire day with a toddler. 

What’s one thing you had to overcome with being a mother?

Realizing that I don’t have to be perfect or compensate. When I was pregnant with my son, I wanted everything to be perfect and I had it all figured out. I would think I had to make sure he had everything. I realized I didn’t have to do so much, but just love and support my children. 

What’s something that’s important to you?

Me time is important to me because I found myself when I first had my son, I was trying to do it all. Work, school, home life and being in a relationship, sleep, and do it all over again. I got burned out really quick. So now it’s important for me to take moments by myself.  

How has balancing everything during a pandemic been?

It’s more stressful now that I work from home, I kind of liked it when I got to leave out to go to work. Not seeing my family much during the pandemic was hard. Now that I’m home, I’m balancing so many different things with work, home and kids. 

What inspires you to be the best mom you can be?

My mommy inspires me. My mother is a single mother, my biological dad passed away when I was at a very young age. I always saw my mom work so hard so it didn’t feel like I didn’t have 2 parents. And I think that’s where I get my hardwork from. Even when I was a teenage mother, she never shamed me and was always supportive. Growing up, I never felt like I lacked anything because of her. 

What will you tell your children about how to be optimistic in today’s world?

I would tell them, especially my daughter, to be kind to everyone, and have the best outlook on a situation as possible. It’s so easy to think of the negative things that can go wrong, but if you think positive or think about the things that can go right, that positive energy can help. Your actions and thoughts can align with the outcome. 

What are 3 things you can’t live without?

My phone, my family and my friends. Between my family and friends, they keep me grounded and continue to push me. 

What would you do if you have 3 hours of no responsibilities? 

I would sleep because I don’t get time to nap often because it’s always something going on. 

What’s one thing you wish another mom would have told you about motherhood?

That you don’t have to be perfect, your kids will be fine, you can mess up, and your kids won’t even care. Perfection is not a requirement to be a good mother.