Are You All Work and No Play?

I never used to describe myself as a "fun mom". Or even just a fun person! That just wasn't me.

I've always felt like I was more serious than others, even as a kid, and grew up feeling "blue" more than not.

After my first child was born, I was diagnosed with postpartum depression and I remember worrying that he would turn also out to be a serious kid because he rarely saw me smile. And that broke my heart.

Even after I moved beyond the PPD (with lots of support and professional help), I still wouldn’t have used the words 'happy' or 'optimistic' to describe me as a mom, let alone a person.

I accepted that this was just who I was.

I was practical, a realist, a glass-half-empty kind of person.

And I approached motherhood in the same, methodical way.

I made lists, I focused on schedules and routines, I read books and learned about developmental milestones, effective parenting, and how to build resilience in your kids.

I would look at other moms who seemed to be smiling and enjoying life and I’d wish I could be more like that.

But then I’d remember "who I was".

I'd remember how tired I was from working all day, sticking to the schedule each evening, and planning and our life as a dual-income household.

MY BELIEF

It wasn’t until I started working with my own coach and learned the coaching tool that I’ve used every day since, that I realized the fundamental difference between those “fun moms” and me.

The difference was they believed they could be fun. They believed that they could HAVE fun.

They weren't born with a "fun gene" that I was missing. They just decided that their lives could incorporate fun, even while doing all the adult things that life and parenting requires.

And that single realization changed everything for me.

I stopped clinging to this story that I was practical, realistic, and pessimistic and therefore couldn't have fun.

And I started learning how to have fun alongside those other aspects.

I started tickling my kids, dancing like no one was watching, and lying on the grass to stare at the clouds.

I ran in the rain, played tag, and laughed at my son’s fart jokes.

Instead of arguing with my husband over who did more, I would laugh. (because we were both doing more and it was ridiculous to argue over it!)

And just last week, my favorite song came on the car radio (yes, I drive an old car!), and my son and I turned up the volume, sang along at the top of our lungs, and fist-bumped in the air... at 8:00 in the morning (sorry neighbors!).

I still don’t do kid birthday parties or make a huge deal out of holidays. Those things aren't fun for me. But that doesn’t mean I’m not a fun mom.

WHO I WANT TO BE

By practicing, learning, and experimenting with having fun, I’ve been on this amazing journey.

A journey of being present, smiling, and enjoying my kids. Not because anyone's watching, but because it’s who I want to be. For me. For my husband. For my kids.

I’m here to be an example.

I’m a working mom who isn’t stressed out and tired all the time (I have my moments though, and I’m cool with that).

I'm present with my kids.

I produce amazing results in my work.

I love the relationship I have with my husband.

And most importantly, I’m enjoying my life. My crazy life with 3 young kids, two full-time working parents, and everything in between.

I’m a fun mom. Not because I was born this way. But because I decided that this was how I wanted to live my life.

I’m on a mission to help other working moms CREATE the life that they want instead of just defaulting to what everyone thinks a working mom is (frazzled, stressed, tired).

If this speaks to you, you're ready for coaching.

Click here to schedule a call. I have openings for 1:1 coaching and Planning Intensives. Together, we'll figure out what will fit best for you, and map out your plan for how you can get the most out of our time together.