Motherhood is often romanticized, with images of peaceful snuggles and giggling babies filling our minds. However, the reality is that motherhood can be much more complicated. It takes courage, strength, and resilience to navigate the challenges that come with raising tiny humans. That's why it's important to recognize and celebrate the bravery of mothers who share their stories. In this blog post, we're highlighting #BraveSoulsWhoTellOurStories and giving voice to real moms sharing their stories of bravery in motherhood.
Real Moms Sharing Their Stories
The pressure to be a perfect mom can be overwhelming, and it's easy to feel like we're failing when we fall short of that ideal. But the truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect mom. Every mother has her own struggles, and every mother has moments of bravery that deserve recognition.
By sharing their stories, these moms are not only inspiring others, but they are also creating a supportive community of women who understand what it's like to walk in their shoes. They are breaking down stigma and showing that it's okay to be vulnerable. Read their stories below!
Jamelia Blackman-Sonny @jbsthequeen
“I have shown bravery and resilience as a mother by sacrificing my job at the time to stay at home and be there for my daughter. Becoming a stay at home was not the plan but as the saying goes “Man plans and God laughs”. It was one of the most nerve wracking things I have ever done in my life but in hindsight so courageous. I didn’t know what to expect and wasn’t prepared for the challenges I would face.
It has now been 4 years since making that decision and I have to say I am so proud of myself because I had to overcome so many challenges, I learned to find solutions and keep it moving, I had to face my fears and work on myself daily because now I had someone looking up to me. And did it for the most part without a “village”…although it has not been easy it has been so worth it. There is no greater example of bravery and resilience than that of a mom.”
Tiffany Durrah Billingsley @tiffanydurrah
“I am a wife, mom, corporate professional, blogger, and author of the Story of My Life - So Far, a self-guided motherhood journal. After the birth of my youngest daughter, I experienced postpartum depression. As I was going through my experience, I began journaling and it was something I found to be very therapeutic. It reignited my love for writing and I began blogging as an outlet to share my personal motherhood journey.
Motherhood is multi-faceted, we are complex. We are not just moms, we are so much more! We try to create a balance of doing the things that fulfill our individual purpose while supporting the ones we love.”
Sandy Mill @sandymillworks
“Being a woman in business and mother is both the worst and best thing that has ever happened to me. I learned very quickly the fine definition of "love the process" or "embrace the struggle." Running a business while breastfeeding and homeschooling over the last 5 years is the most taxing role I have ever encountered in my 30 + years of life but I have been rewarded well over by taking this role head on and never breaking. Giving and guiding life is the closest I have ever been to God!”
Nikita Gibson @mrsnikitagibson
“Being a mom requires bravery everyday. One moment I can remember was how hard it was for me when I decided to transition from nursing to go back to work. Not only do you feel guilty, I was mentally and psychically drained until I educated myself and realized it was completely normal to go through that transition.”
Marty Mcdonald @martytmcdonald
“In 2021, I became a first time mom of a beautiful , fearless and ambitious lil mama. Our birth experience wasn't what was expected and it placed an imprint on my life that placed in me the dedication to solve some systematic issues Black parents face bringing new life into this world.
Before I share what happened let me share a little bit more about myself. I am a former Corporate Queen of 10+ years and Dynamic Entrepreneur of a successful multi-million dollar media company focused on propelling Black Women's stories forward in their career endeavors. I share this so you can know my focus has been Black women for over 5 years and I am not unfamiliar with our challenges and our power of impact.
When I was 24 weeks pregnant, my daughter was diagnosed with Congenital Dyaphranic Hernia that would cause her lungs to be covered by her liver, spleen and intestines. This disease would cause her to have immediate surgery when she was born and she would be placed in the NICU for 35 days to heal. During our time in the NICU I quickly realized that advocacy and representation are two key ingredients that my daughter will need to navigate this world, as we didn't have anyone to advocate for us as Black parents and we didn't see anyone that looked like us.
In 2022, I launched Elle Olivia LLC to show Black Girls big possibilities through the clothes they wear and the books they read.”
Des Pointer @dezpointer
“Forty-eight hours after relocating to a new state I discovered my pregnancy with baby girl. God knew exactly what I needed! It wasn’t until I birthed baby Serenity that I recognized my strength. Having a baby girl during a season of many transitions in my life made me realize: I’ve got grit!”
“Many Mama’s face silent obstacles and challenges with their children and feel alone and less than a Mother due to the circumstances. My sweet daughter M, was diagnosed with a speech delay and sensory hypersensitivity. My bravery has been shown through the process of advocating for her needs. With adults questioning as to why she wouldn’t say, “Hello,” state her name when asked, or asking if something was wrong with her often made me feel uncomfortable and judged.
She has always had a voice. However, she was learning how to use it. As we don’t often see things in the moment — I realized God was revealing to me that it was I who had lost my voice all along and He was using her as a vessel to reach me. I muted my very own voice. I knew I had to model behavior that she would adapt, so I researched Speech Therapist & Pathologists on Instagram and YouTube to find useful resources and activities suitable for her age. I acquired a referral for Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy services for intervention. I attained an ASL Tutor for myself and M, so we could communicate.
After two years of therapy, M is thriving and showing progression in her speech. We’ve decided to continue ASL services so we may assist others in their journey of communication. I began the process of an IEP for school prior to Kindergarten so she could receive services through the school district to gain further assistance. I will continue to advocate for her to find the best solution and what’s in the best interest for M until she has mastered speech.
Mama’s it's not a race to the finish line, whether it’s sleep training, breastfeeding, walking, talking, potty training, etc. Be attentive to your child’s needs, the way they process information and their emotions. Each child needs something different from you. We’re all in this together. You aren’t in this journey of Motherhood alone. We are our child’s first Teacher but sometimes they’re the ones who end up teaching us.”
Keisha Mabry @keishamabry
“I’m quickly realizing that healthy communication with my daughter starts now. The other day she was whining and I looked at her playfully in the car mirror and said why are you whining little momma, you have nothing to whine about. As soon as I said it, I regretted it.
She did have something to whine about and it was my job to figure out the why behind her whine. Bravery and resilience, for me, is a matter of unlearning and mindset shifting. Our babies are not cry babies—they are babies who cry and they are not terrible twos—they are curious twos. And both are beautiful. One’s communication and the other is exploration.”
“Being a mother has become the greatest work of my life … raising good humans who love themselves and others deeply. I became a mom of three in 2020, and in 2021 I left my blossoming career to devote myself to my children, who due to my grueling corporate travel schedule and long work hours received only a small portion of my time over the last 10 years.
I never saw myself as a stay at home mom, but it was evident as my sons started to reach young adulthood and the window of opportunity to be present with my daughter from the very beginning of her life began to close, that I needed to slow down and be present in the moment. I’m grateful for the opportunity to try and make up for lost time and for the courage to leave the corporate grind behind for the sake of my family.”
Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. It takes bravery to face the challenges that come with raising children. Every mother has moments of bravery and we are stronger when we support each other. By sharing their stories, these real moms are inspiring others to be brave and to keep going, even when the going gets tough. So let's celebrate the #BraveSoulsWhoTellOurStories, and let's continue to lift each other up in motherhood.
