When Motherhood Isn’t Easy

There’s something tender and raw about hearing someone say, “Oh, my kids are so easy.”

Sometimes it stings — not because we aren’t happy for them, but because for many of us, motherhood has never been easy. Some of us only know hard. Some of us have lived both sides. And some of us quietly carry the weight of grief, comparison, and guilt when our story doesn’t sound like theirs.

We scroll through highlight reels, listen to stories about perfect nap schedules, peaceful bedtimes, and calm mornings — and somewhere deep down, we wonder, What’s wrong with me?

But the truth is, nothing’s wrong with you. Because hard doesn’t mean wrong.

The Beauty in the Hard

Motherhood was never meant to be measured by ease. The sleepless nights, the meltdowns in grocery store aisles, the therapies, the medical appointments, the endless prayers whispered under your breath — none of these moments disqualify you. They define you.

You are the mom who keeps showing up. The one who still chooses love when it’s the hardest thing to give. The one who holds it all together when no one sees.

That’s not weakness. That’s strength. That’s sacred.

What I’m Learning Along the Way

Here’s what this journey has been teaching me:

✨ Hard doesn’t mean wrong.

✨ My story is just as valid.

✨ Every child comes with a purpose.

✨ I was chosen to be their mom—on the easy days and the impossible ones.

God didn’t make a mistake when He gave you your child. He equipped you for this exact story — even when it feels too heavy, too different, or too far from what you expected.

Love Defines Motherhood

Ease doesn’t define motherhood.

Love does.

Perseverance does.

Showing up, day after day, even when it’s hard — that’s what defines motherhood.

So if you’re reading this through tears, wondering if you’re doing enough, hear me:

You’re not broken — you’re brave.

You’re not behind — you’re becoming.

This season may feel lonely, but you are never walking it alone. There’s a quiet army of mothers beside you — praying, persevering, and believing that beauty will bloom even here.

For the Days You Need the Reminder

Save these words for the hard days — the days when you question your worth, your patience, or your strength. And when you can, share them with another mama who might be fighting the same quiet battle.

Because when we lift each other up, we rise stronger together. 🌿

A Final Word for Your Heart

Motherhood isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. Even when it’s messy, loud, or lonely, love is still being planted in every unseen moment. God didn’t choose the wrong mom. He chose you—with intention, purpose, and grace. Even on the days when your strength feels gone, His will carry you through. Maybe the goal was never to have an “easy” story, but a meaningful one. And maybe the hard days aren’t detours after all, but the very soil where love grows deeper roots.

Here’s to the mothers walking the hard road with faith, grit, and heart.

You are not alone—and you are exactly where you’re meant to be. ❤️

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If this spoke to you, share it with another mama who might need to hear it today.

💬 Leave a comment below — what part of motherhood has challenged or shaped you most?

🌟 Raising Kids Without a Village: The Reality 🌟

🌟 Raising Kids Without a Village: The Reality 🌟

Hey, everyone! As many of you know, parenting can be a beautiful yet challenging journey. For those of us navigating this path without a supportive village, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, isolating, and even exhausting.

💔 We often hear about the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” but what happens when that village is missing? For countless parents, the journey can feel isolating and overwhelming. In this blog post, we’ll explore the realities of raising kids without a support system, share valuable insights, and offer practical tips for finding fulfillment in this unique parenting journey.

Here are a few thoughts and reflections on this journey that many parents face:

1️⃣ The Importance of Community: Building connections with other parents can be a game-changer. Whether it’s a neighbor, a friend from school, or an online group, having even just one or two people who can relate to the struggles of parenting can make all the difference. Sharing experiences, swapping stories, and knowing you’re not alone can lighten the emotional load.

2️⃣ Resourcefulness and Creativity: Raising kids without a traditional support system forces us to become resourceful. We learn to seek out local community resources, attend parenting workshops, or connect with social media groups that provide support and advice. Many apps and websites offer parenting tips, activities, and even virtual meet-ups that can help bridge the gap. Embracing this resourcefulness not only helps us navigate challenges but also teaches our kids valuable lessons about resilience and creativity.

3️⃣ Prioritizing Self-Care: In the hustle of daily parenting, it’s easy to forget about our own well-being. However, prioritizing self-care is crucial. A happy and healthy parent means happier kids! Whether it’s taking a quiet moment to enjoy a cup of coffee, indulging in a favorite hobby, or simply getting lost in a good book, carving out time for ourselves can rejuvenate our spirits and help us tackle the parenting challenges with renewed energy.

4️⃣ Embracing Imperfection: In a world that often glorifies the “perfect parent,” it’s essential to remember that perfection is a myth! Every parent faces their unique challenges, and it’s okay to ask for help or lean on others when needed. Sharing our struggles openly can create a supportive environment where we can all feel free to be ourselves, flaws and all. Our kids will learn that it’s okay to make mistakes and that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

5️⃣ Finding Joy in the Little Things: Without a village, we might miss out on some communal experiences, but it’s also an opportunity to create our own traditions and memories. Celebrate the small victories, laugh at the chaos, and cherish the moments of connection with your children. Whether it’s a spontaneous dance party in the living room or a picnic in the backyard, these little joys can fill our lives with happiness and build strong family bonds.

Conclusion

Parenting without a village may come with its challenges, but it also offers unique opportunities for growth and connection. By actively seeking community, embracing resourcefulness, prioritizing self-care, accepting imperfection, and celebrating small joys, we can navigate this journey with resilience and grace. 

Let’s open up the conversation about parenting without a village. Share your experiences, tips, and stories below! How do you navigate the challenges? What strategies have helped you find support? Together, we can create a community right here, one post at a time. 👇

✨If you found this post helpful, please share it with fellow parents who might benefit from these insights. Let’s create a network of support and encouragement for one another! ✨

#Parenting #NoVillage #CommunitySupport #ParentingJourney #family #advice #familylife

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Mother’s Day is approaching and I recently treated myself to a much needed shopping spree Belk and best of all I was kid free! Don’t get me wrong I love my boys so much but they don’t like shopping what so ever and I would probably be worrying too much about them! My hubby was ever so sweet to watch the boys while mama did my thing and spent a few hours to myself! 

The Belk Gift Shop offers so many perfect gifts for every mom for Mother’s Day! I love that they have so many wonderful things from designer shoes, designer purses, makeup, designer fragrances, jewelry, kids clothes and so many different things for your home! The employees were all so sweet, very helpful and it was such a great overall shopping experience!

I absolutely love the finished result of my shopping spree and all the gorgeous things I found! Can I first start off by telling you how necessary it is to have a good sun hat here in Florida or wherever you may live with summer approaching! Every mom could use a good sun hat! 

How gorgeous is this beautiful The Limited: V-Neck Button Front Tie Waist Dress! This dress is so light, flowy and super comfortable making this a perfect addition to your closet! As a nursing mom this dress is super easy to unbutton and very nursing friendly!

Let’s talk about shoes for a moment! Ok how beautiful are these Lisa Sandals by Kaari Blue! They are so comfortable yet versatile and can be perfect for that date night with your hubby or day out with your family! 

To finish off my look I had to get these adorable Gold Tone Natural Flower Drop Earrings by Kim Rogers because I’m totally all about those accessories! 

Another option to gift your mom this Mother’s Day, which I love is this gorgeous little silver plated crystal cross necklace Belk Silverworks Sterling Silver Sideways Cross Necklace! It’s simple yet makes a statement! 

My final Mother’s Day gift recommendation is to simply buy your mom a candle! I found this ever so amazingly smelling candle Watercolors 3 wick candle by Kringle

and had to get a few because what mom wouldn’t love a great smelling candle in their home right? I kind of have a slight obsession with candles and having my home smell good all the time!

As Mother’s Day approaches I am sure to be dressed in my Mothers Day best with all these beautiful items purchased from Belk! Head on over to your local Belk and shop for yourself, your mother, your mom in-law or even your mom friends this Mother’s Day!

Austin’s Plagiocephaly Journey

Happy Tuesday from my sweet little Austin bear! I have been sort of quiet on here just focusing on my family and super busy with my business Stephanie Ripa Photography! I sincerely appreciate you all who have continued to stay close to us we seriously cannot thank you guys enough! 🤍

For the past 2 months Austin has been getting physical therapy for his torticolis and has been wearing his doc band helmet for 2 weeks now! Last week was the toughest for for this little guy waking up all night and unable to sleep with it on! He has to wear his helmet for 22 hours a day and poor guy did not like it at all at first but is finally getting used to it a little more each week! We have been going to physical therapy twice a week so it’s been a lot of juggling in the Ripa household!

Long story short: he dropped in utero too early and ran out of space in the womb which caused a small flat spot on the side of his head! Hopefully he will only have to wear this for a few more months!🤞

Now I have to get his name put on the front of it or something cute!

Do you have any kids that had to go through this? If so what was your experience? ⤵️

Austin James

Austin James

Meet our sweet little Austin James! It feels so good to be back and finally able to have a creative mojo on writing again! Fun fact I am a newborn and family photographer at http://www.StephanieRipaPhotography.com and let me tell you, the months of October through December we’re beyond busy and is considered high season for us photographers! I am so happy to have somewhat of some breathing room now a while enjoying motherhood at the same time!

Hiring a newborn photographer while recovering from a c-section was the best thing I ever did! So glad I had a friend capture these sweet photos of our little Austin when he was born! Life gets so busy and they are only this little for such a short period of time! I am soaking up these late nights of nursing and cuddling because I know one day when he’s older like my oldest Mason, that he will need me a little less! This though has me balling my eyes out but that’s the truth, and that’s life… perhaps more babies in our future… not sure..

When I was on the operating table having my c-section with Austin, the surgeon asked me if I wanted to have my tubes tied! Without a doubt and zero hesitation without even asking my husband I said no, absolutely no! I was not ready to make that gigantic decision just yet! Thankfully my husband had zero say in my decision anyways because he respects me and my decisions! So just maybe their will be one more in the future, but for now I am going to just enjoy snuggling my sweet little Austin and really be present in these moments with him!

Austin’s Birth Story

✨𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻’𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆✨

On August 11, 2020 I started to feel contractions at 3:30am. These were 20-25 min apart and strong, it felt totally different then Braxton Hicks contractions.

We waited until 9am to go to my OBGYN, they then hooked me up to monitors to check my contractions and babies heart rate. At one point there was a drop in Austin’s heart rate and my doctors couldn’t exactly determine why or if it was just him moving around in the womb.

After about 30 min my doctors then made the executive decision to send me to the hospital with our bags packed for the possibilities of Austin’s arrival! My husband and I were both excited and nervous because he was not actually scheduled to be born until the morning of August 13th via csection.

We excitedly went in to the OB emergency room at the hospital where they placed me on monitors to check Austin’s heart rate and my contractions.

After 2-3 hours I went from a 0 to a 4cm dilation and my water broke, all naturally while being monitored.

Austin had plans that day to make his grand debut and strangely at 3:30am when my contractions hit I just new today was going to be the big day!

Just like that at 3:39pm little Austin James made his way into this world to complete our family as four! 🤍

Welcome Baby Austin

The big day has finally arrived!

We are overjoyed to welcome our sweet boy, 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗽𝗮 into the world! He made his big debut a few days before planned on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 3:39pm! He weighs 7.4 lbs & is 21 inches tall! Happy to finally be home from the hospital and adjust as a family of four! 💙

A Letter to My First Born

𝗧𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻 . . .

You are the first person I fell in love with long before I saw your face.

I kept imagining how my life would be like with your arrival 2.5 years ago. All the plans and preparations we made, yet nothing truly prepared me for the moment when I first held you in my arms. 

It was a life-changing moment. I never anticipated I could love someone so deeply. Not even in the way I love your father. 

As I held your tiny body against my chest, trembling with overwhelming emotions and amazed at this tiny life that just came out of my womb, I knew, without a doubt, I would do anything for you. 

It’s bitter sweet to know I’ll no longer have you all to myself.

“𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲, 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲.”

As I hold you today, I remember the moments when you were born. You are my first born, the one who first made me a mom.

In a few short days your baby brother will be born, love to new heights will be reached as our family expands. I cannot wait to document this next chapter in our lives because I know without a doubt you will be the best big brother!

Bumpin into 37 Weeks

I am officially 37 weeks along with our little bundle of joy and loving it! We recently had maternity photos taken and I am so in love with ALL of them! Check them out below! 🤍

It’s been a strange pregnancy I’m not going to lie. It’s been strange not being able to celebrate this with friends and family or have a baby shower. I feel like this pregnancy zoomed on by and I don’t know how it did being quarantined!

So with all that being said, it was so fun to glam up, have some pretty photos taken of my family and of myself! I absolutely love the way they turned out and will forever cherish these!!

Someone Made a Turtle Friend 🐢

Someone made a turtle friend! We have a pond behind our home and this little guy got lost on our pool deck. We rescued and returned him back to his pond! It was quite the little mission we went on but Mason loved the whole experience!

How I love the little moments and the joy it brought to him even if he wanted to keep him! I told my son that the baby turtle had to go back home to his turtle family back in the pond! 🐢🤷‍♀️

Have your children ever found “pets” and kept them?

We’re not totally there yet given my sons age! Maybe one day we will start with a little fish or something then graduate to a dog he can pick out!

Hope you all have a great weekend! 🤍