Work Like a Mother

As soon as she started her physical therapy program, Sara knew that she wanted to focus on the pelvic floor. At first she was mostly curious to learn more about her own body, but curiosity turned into passion as soon as she became a mom. Like so many of us, Sara was surprised and disappointed to learn how moms are treated by the healthcare system during postpartum care. Today she’s a leading voice on pelvic floor issues, and runs her own PT center in New Orleans dedicated to helping women through pregnancy and postpartum. Sara started @thevaginawhisperer, an online community to normalize pelvic floor issues that often make women feel isolated, uncomfortable and alone. It’s all part of her personal mission to reimagine postpartum care, one mom at a time. 

As a Black mother raising multiracial children, Alexandria always knew that she’d have to talk to her kids about race and racism. And yet she was shocked when it started so early - her daughter was just 3 years old when a racist comment from another child sent them both spinning. Starting in on these tough conversations, Alexandria realized that even though she was a Black woman and mom, she was lacking the experience and framework to know what to say to her young children. What was developmentally appropriate? How much could she share while still shielding them from the cruel world of systemic racism? Answering those questions, for herself and for others, inspired Alexandria to take an actively anti-racist approach to parenting and creat Ditto kids, a magazine to help other parents do the same.

Alexandra was born to be a mom and she knew it from a young age. She even remembers as a child volunteering to change diapers so she could spend more time with them! So when she turned 30, still single and determined as ever to have kids of her own, she decided not to wait any longer and go for it. .. Alexandra shares her infertility journey, her experience with IVF, her ectopic pregnancy, her life as a single mom to two incredible kids, and her journey coming out as her authentic self to and for her kids. 

When Melissa made the first Tiny Tags pendant, at her kitchen table in 2012, she felt like she was onto something, but didn’t know just how big it might get. Her inspiration was simple but beautiful: make a piece of jewelry that she could wear with her all the time and remind herself of her newborn son. These simple, elegant pieces soon caught the attention of moms everywhere, and she’s since sold over 200,000 necklaces to moms who want to celebrate and cherish their children and their roles as mothers. As she’s grown the business, she’s heard from countless parents who share genuine and heartfelt stories about how important these pieces of jewelry have been to them, which is a constant reminder of the impact of bringing her passion and vision to the world. 

Zaileen was in 2nd grade when she brought home a flyer for a local youth hockey league and asked her mom if she could play. No, her mom explained, Indian girls don’t play hockey, but maybe it would be good for her little brother when he got older. Zaileen wouldn’t take no for an answer, and snuck in to the rink anyway. Her determination paid off- hockey and sports continue to play a major role in her life. But she still grapples with cultural expectations that conflict with the way she wants to raise her sons. Though her family would prefer her to be a stay at home mom, be private about mental health concerns after pregnancy, and raise her sons, Zaileen continues to do what feels right to her, even if it conflicts with her family’s views. As the head of Partnership Development and Innovation for the 2028 Olympics she still has to remind her partner and family that the juggle is worth it.

When Anhoni had her two children, her mother filled her kitchen with delicious treats to aid with lactation and postpartum healing. The family recipes, rooted in ayurvedic medicinal system, have been helping women in Anhoni’s family for generations. Anhoni started a company, Mrs. Patel’s to pass along these healthy and delicious treats to help as many new mamas as possible. 

Growing up, Loira was the oldest of four and she spent a lot of time translating for her mom and helping out with her younger siblings. Like so many women, her mom had to work to provide for the family, but also needed child care in order to work. Today, Loira’s financial situation is different than her mother’s was, but as she raises her two children, she still doubts herself - My mom made it work on so much less, how dare you complain or struggle given your circumstances? What do I have to complain about? In answering that question, she’s embraced a new mindset and worked to channel her mother’s strength - If my mom can do it, I can do it too. And Loira has done it all- from directing documentaries while working a full time job, and continuing her passion as a DJ and being a single mother to 2 kids.

When Ingrid’s son was 1 week old and her family left after their initial visit, she felt incredibly isolated, overwhelmed and alone. During a feed on those sleepless nights she pulled out her phone to find something that would help, but she found nothing. Where was a group of women who were actively talking about the sleepless nights, the worries, and the sore nipples? Ingrid decided to do something about it. She created workingmomkind, an online community focused on bringing moms together to cheer each other on and lend a hand when it’s needed most. A community free of judgment and far away from perfect but offering the support that Ingrid and hundreds of thousands of moms need. 

When Jamie and Emily were labor and delivery nurses at Boston-area hospitals in their twenties, they would constantly hear from parents who would say, “If only I could take you home with us!” The thought of the first few nights at home was terrifying. This gave Jamie and Emily an idea- why not provide that support for new moms? That’s when NAPS was born. 9 years later, NAPS has evolved from providing overnight nursing care and in-home lactation consults to an all encompassing program that supports parents from pregnancy through the toddler years. Jamie and Emily founded NAPS to support women in a non-judgmental way that leaves them feeling confident and proud of the decisions they make for themselves and their families. 

Nurture by NAPS is an online learning platform with members-only content that guides you through every stage of pregnancy and parenting. It combines video how-to’s, live Q&As, in-depth care guides and a super popular ‘Ask a Nurse’ forum to help you thrive as a parent. Through Nurture by NAPS, you can get access to parenting experts and answers to nearly every question that arises from conception through preschool. As a Work Like a Mother listener, your first month is free using the code Nurture1monthfree.

When Jamie was a social worker, she was desperate to help her clients teach their 4 and 5 years olds how to potty train. She went to the “experts”- her mother and friends to teach her the tricks. When Jamie became a mom and potty trained her son at 22 months, she couldn’t figure out why it was such a big deal. She realized the moms in her community were wildly misinformed about potty training and moms were desperate to get her help. She offered potty training classes, but couldn’t keep up with the demand. Now the author of the #1 best selling potty training book, Oh Crap! Jamie keeps it real and funny AND she gets you through that dreaded stage of parenting.