Starr Struck Radio, Episode #15: Modern Motherhood, Part 1

Starr Struck Radio, Episode #15: Modern Motherhood, Part 1 - Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

4/21/2015

My trip back to DC this past weekend was [once again] a total baby-fest/kid-fest. Two of my closest friends in DC have kids now, so when I go back, I usually spend most of my downtime with them and their families (You may remember that the last time I went to DC, I got back and wrote a post called On Being a Woman of Childbearing Age).

I adore spending time with these friends and their incredible children, and every time that I do so, it gets me thinking more and more about what it means to become a parent, when is the right time to make that step (if a couple decides to go that route), and how much life changes if/when a couple decides to become parents.

On this past trip, however, I took this curiosity about family planning a step further, and decided to interview my two friends, Sara and Erica, for the podcast. These two interviews have now become a 2-part miniseries about motherhood, the first of which is up today (obviously).

And let me tell you, I'm so glad that we found the time to sit down and have these conversations (while the children were napping, of course) because I learned a lot by chatting with both Sara and Erica, and I think that each of them put into words what a lot of newer parents experience when trying to figure out how to juggle all of the responsibilities that come with caring for another being.

Here's this week's episode description:

The first part of a two-part miniseries exploring modern-day motherhood! In this series, I’m talking with two different guests in two separate interviews about what it’s like to be a new (or new-ish) mother trying to find balance while exploring parental lifestyle + scheduling options.

In this first interview, my good friend, Sara, shares her experience becoming a stay-at-home mom after giving birth to her first child. We discuss why she made the choice to leave the workforce and become a stay-at-home mom (for now), how her life has changed since making this choice, and her advice for other modern-day mothers (or future mothers) trying to figure out how to make it all work and find balance in their lives.

You can listen to the show below OR by downloading and/or subscribing in iTunes or Stitcher.

LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

As we mention at the end of the episode, if you want to view some snapshots of Sara's family and life as a stay-at-home mom, you can check out her photo-a-day blog, District Daydreams.

Also, here are a few fun pics from our weekend together:

Oh, and the movie that we shout-out and Sara is obsessed with? About Time ;)

Thanks so much for listening! Tune back in next week for Part 2 - Being a Working Mom.

[If you're new to Starr Struck Radio, you can find the FAQs (how to listen, description of the show, etc.) here.]

DISCLOSURE

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Denise

4/20/2015 11:12:11 pm

Just wanted to say that I love your podcast! I used to go to the Arlington studio and I loved your class and workshops, so I've followed your blog and instagram feed for a while. Now I look forward to when a new podcast is up! It makes my morning dog walk so enjoyable! I really enjoy the dynamic between you and Ben, and have often found myself wanting the "talk directly to a podcast to give feedback" idea that you mentioned a few shows ago. As a stay-at-home mom, married to a lawyer living in the DC area, I was nodding along to the entire episode, relating to everything Sara had to say....but when I got to the end I had to laugh when I realized the entire episode was one big "First World Problem" segment! So many of my friends feel the way Sara (and I) feel but they don't have the luxury to "choose" to work or stay at home. I'm looking forward to Part 2 to hear Erica's perspective. Thanks for taking on such a "hot" topic; it triggers SO many reactions and emotions for women, no matter what her specific situation. I don't think I've ever heard or seen this issue handled in any medium (podcast, TV interview, magazine/blog article) that seemed completely judgement-free. (Usually the author will claim to be open to whatever women decide, but you can tell they harbor judgement for women who didn't make the same choices they did.). Well done!!

Jenn James

4/30/2015 06:34:18 am

I felt such a sense of comfort while listening to Sara's story. As a new mom to a 5 month old, my experience and "reason to stay at home" is similar to Sara's. I worked for 9 years as a public high school teacher and then quit the system for a much needed break from 17 year olds when I got a job doing something I love that involved a major pay cut. Between my husband's successful career in business and my salary, we lived happily. However, when I got pregnant, of course everything had to change!

I don't like to look at it as a first world problem; it's somewhat sad that in this country, maternity leave is so short ,child care is so expensive and the workforce so inflexible that economically, it makes the most sense for me to stay home.

On the one hand, it is so important to me to be here for my little one while she is going through her young life, but when I do want to return to work, the amount of money I'd have to make would have to justify paying for child care and putting us in a new tax bracket. If i "choose" to work now, we actually would struggle more.

Right now I am just trying to find a new niche in my city- winter was so isolating with a newborn - you think you will have time to read and write and fine tune some recipes and reorganize your home, but when you do have that hour here and there to do these things, you are more inclined to save your sanity by taking a much needed nap!

Podcasts are truly life savers for stay at home moms!

Thanks so much Sarah, for being so honest and for telling about your experience!

Mary Catherine

4/21/2015 10:36:39 pm

Omg, Denise, you're so right! The whole episode IS a first world problem, haha! I'm so glad that you could relate to what Sara said and that you found the episode to be judgment-free; That was REALLY important to me in presenting anything related to this topic, so I'm glad it felt that way :) Thanks for listening, commenting, sharing, and staying connected! Xoxo

Jane Hinchliffe link

4/30/2015 08:10:25 pm

Sara, thanks for being so open and honest about your experience of being a Mum (I'm British). Back when I had my first baby (nearly 20 years ago), I wish I'd had a friend like you to talk to. I've had two more boys since (youngest being 9) and I'm still learning. Be kind to yourself.... Mary Catherine, thank you for being such a lovely person and shining the light on some really important topics. Jane x

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