People say a lot of different things about motherhood. While it can be a journey with many obstacles, incredible ideas can also arise that make all the difference. Proof of this are these five projects created by five mothers to help make the lives of their counterparts easier. These incredible women rolled up their sleeves and turned their troubles into tools. The great results are plain to see!
By Ana Roque
Photography rights reserved
Fit Mummy
Project App
by Kimberley Smith
The Fit Mummy Project app was designed and created by Kimberley (Kimmy) Smith, an Australian mother of three girls who knows how hard it is to accept postpartum body changes. Still, Kimmy believes women should actually feel better than ever during and after these nine months, and that everyone should be proud of their body. In reality, however, what usually happens is that new mothers feel frustrated and unhappy with all the physical changes resulting from pregnancy. To help them exercise in a safe, fun and motivating way, Kimmy created the Fit Mummy Project app. Her goal is quite clear: to help women stay active, healthy and happy with their new body! To do this, the Fit Mummy Project features several plans, offering many yoga, meditation, fitness and strength exercises. Kimmy wants all women to learn to love their bodies without shame or guilt. All mothers are welcome in her “Fit Mummy Squad”, as she calls it: the most fit, like her; those who have no time for anything at all; and those who just want to feel a bit healthier.
The Malasmadres Club
by Laura Baena
The Malasmadres Club (or the “Bad mothers club” in English) is an emotional online community of women who have come together to smash the myth of the perfect mother and to demystify real motherhood. The woman behind the project is Spanish mother Laura Baena, who soon after having her child realised that motherhood was nothing like what people had said it was. The experience was much less about perfection, and much more about rolling with the blows. Laura began letting off steam in a blog, but soon realised she wanted something more. She wanted to be able to gather like-minded mothers who were tired of all the myths surrounding motherhood. The club was then born on Twitter, allowing Laura and all the mothers who wanted to join her to share their ideas about motherhood as it really is, and to end the idea of the super-woman mother who can do anything and be everywhere at once. Her club quickly gathered pace and members and became a genuine social movement that now has its own platform. This generation of Malasmadres want to give up neither their children, their work, or their identity as women! After all, it is reconciling all these aspects that makes them accomplished women and the best mothers in the world.
“Where My Mom’s At?”
by Christina Pazsitzky
This podcast by comedian Christina Pazsitky is a project from one mother aimed at all others. With Christina P., as she is better known as a host, fun is always guaranteed. In Where My Mom’s At?, this American mother of two boys hosts several guests for no-nonsense conversations about motherhood, reflecting the roller coaster of emotions that is being a mum. Christina’s message is for all the other mothers out there like her battling through daily peaks of energy and exhaustion and who love their children more than anything else in life. The podcast is also recorded on video and is available on Christina P.’s YouTube channel. It is perfect for all those women who feel a bit overwhelmed by the difficult task of being a mum and who are not afraid to admit it.
Workin’ Moms
by Catherine Reitman
Workin’ Moms is a series that stands out for a simple, everyday storyline which is both fun and captivating. Four women who have just become mothers try to balance the responsibilities of motherhood with the resumption of their professional lives – all while trying to keep their mental sanity intact. The woman behind the series is Catherine Reitman, an American actress and mother of two boys who also plays one of the main characters. After having her first child in real life, she was hit by a bout of postpartum depression when she returned to work. She felt overwhelmed by all her responsibilities, unhappy and very alone. Her husband, Philip Sterneberg, a producer and fellow actor, encouraged her to write a diary of her thoughts and frustrations, which would eventually become the script for Workin’ Moms. From this whirlwind of emotion, Catherine was able to create her four main characters. Her husband also got involved, and both now also play a couple in the series, now in its fourth season. The message is one of empowerment and keeping things in perspective. Postpartum depression is a serious issue, but it’s better to try and laugh instead of crying. Workin’ Moms has had a very positive reception and helped many mothers feel better at such a difficult time. It’s available on Netflix.
Breastfeeding Mama Talk
by Kristy Kemp
This online community was created by Kristy Kemp in 2012 and brings together people from all over the world. Kristy is a mother and is passionate about the process of breastfeeding. She only breastfed her son for three months, but she’s sure that with more support and information things could have been quite different. That’s why she decided to create a page that would allow her to help inform other mothers about the issue. And thus Breastfeeding Mama Talk was born, which started out as a Facebook page, but which now has its own website. Mothers in this group help each other achieve their breastfeeding goals and talk about other topics related to parenting. Breastfeeding Mama Talk isn’t only for mothers – it’s open to all comers seeking more information about breastfeeding. We think it’s fair to say that Kristy’s goal in creating her page has largely been met: Breastfeeding Mama Talk is a real support network for sharing and clarifying information After all, it is the small details that make breastfeeding so magical and powerful, and all information is precious when it comes to making the best choices for mother and baby alike.
