I am super happy to invite this sweet mama and Abundant Mama alumni to take the floor in this space today to share her personal Abundant Mama Project (AMP) journey. It is such a pleasure to share her experience here after working with her so closely for a few AMP sessions. Take it away, Snow …
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Before The Abundant Mama Project I was a mama to two toddlers who was in way over her head, waking at the last possible moment to restless children, not wanting to start another day of crying, diapers, and battles over who gets which cup.
With no friends or family nearby to give me a much-needed break, or exchange little bits of mom-to-mom advice and with a husband who traveled for work weeks at a time, l was tired, overwhelmed and all alone.
I constantly questioned myself and my decisions… Am I doing it right? Am I doing enough? Am I enough?
Although I love my children with every ounce of my being, I didn’t love being a mother.
I was exhausted, frustrated, lonely, and angry. Angry that I wasn’t doing a better job, angry that I was being more present, angry that I wasn’t loving every moment of everything, angry that this unhappiness had become my life without me even realizing it.
I stumbled across The Abundant Mama Project — I imagine by Googling something ridiculous like “how to be happy as a mother.”
Lucky for me, because the Abundant Mama message literally woke me up.
Shawn and the Project was so inspiring and real, reminding me there is no perfect mother. She told me (because it really felt like she was speaking directly to me) that this was just a season I was in and that it too, would pass.
With that message came the clarity that it wasn’t about finding my happiness, it was about being awake and present in my children’s lives because childhood is fleeting. I wanted to love our days and be the mother my children deserved, not the stressed out, unhappy version I had become.
What I didn’t realize was that signing up for The Abundant Mama Project would literally be a breath of fresh air amidst the thick murkiness I had been surrounded by.
Shawn has this ability to open your eyes to what you need, without even really telling you what it is.
I found my mother’s intuition and learned to just be still, and listen.
I learned to let go of the worry and fear that took up too much space in my life, keeping me trapped in an endless cycle of anger and guilt. The frustration dwindled and it became easier to let go of the bad days. I no longer re-lived the guilt of reacting in a way I regretted again and again.
AMP continually reminded me that no mother is perfect, we are all only doing the best we can in the best way we know how, and that is enough. Every mother has a rough day or bad moment once in awhile, but it’s how we bounce back and move forward that truly defines our character and legacies as mothers.
Since AMP and the year long continuing journey I’ve taken to get here through Shawn’s private coaching circle, I have awakened to the life I want to live and the mama I want to be.
I now wake early to enjoy a little quiet solitude and center myself, setting a daily intention before the kids join me.
I now focus more on taking care of me so that I can be there, fully present and engaged for my children. We play and laugh, act silly and dance a lot. So much more happiness has found its way into my home since I’ve let go of what I thought we ‘should’ be doing.
I am now a fearless, trusting, and happy mother who faces daily life with a new perspective and a healthy dose of gratitude.
This is all because of The Abundant Mama Project and its teachings to just be kind, to parent with love and to play.
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Snow is a stay at home mama to an energetic, fun loving 4-year-old boy and a sweet, precocious 3-year-old girl. She spends her days photographing the beauty found in everyday life. Whether it’s playing, getting outdoors, or reading, she is soaking up all the goodness life has to offer.
What a lovely post by such an awesome and inspiring AMP mama. Snow is one of those mamas I wish I lived near so we could actually meet and have coffee or a playdate or something. She has an amazing perspective (the AMP way) of making us all feel like we’re in this together and we’re doing the best we can. She is supportive and truly embodies what many of us are striving for – a peaceful, abundant, happy life. I always look forward to Snow’s comments and stories because she gives herself freely and lovingly. She truly is an extension of Shawn and all the wonderful work we’re all doing. Thanks for sharing your story with the world, Snow!
We are in this together!!! 🙂
Jennie! Oh my, this is too sweet! You are an amazing mama and I am so glad we all get to share in this motherhood journey together, I know I am so grateful for this village even if we can’t meet up in real life. Although, lets hope we can make that happen one day too! 🙂
I am enjoying the chance to hear others stories and how this has helped them. I feel in the same spot as a lot of other moms and I hope that one day I too can do the AMP and begin to feel the same way and refreshed. Thanks for sharing your story!
I hope you do it too! It was one of those things I did on a whim, and it has certainly changed my life for the better and I have gained so much more than just what I learned in the course. Thank you for taking the time to comment, it is so wonderful to know other moms relate!
Yes, we all know and love Snow 🙂 This is a great narrative, I love that we each have our own unique story, yet have the same mission, the same goals and the same outcome from our AMP experience. xoxo
We are all on the same, yet uniquely different journey, and its a great one to share. You’re the best Hillary 🙂 xoxo
Oh yes!
Dear Snow,
Thank you so very much for this post. I am a mother of 3 yr old twins…needless to say I AM STRESSED!! Your post has everything I am feeling and going through at this very moment. I JUST DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. I found this wedsite by googleing “how to not stress while dealing with twins”. I just want to say Thank you bc I was truely was feeling like a horrible mother for feeling so unhappy and not present and saying NO so much to my little angeles. Now i know i am not alone!!!
Oh mama you are not alone! So many mothers feel this way, but sadly they don’t often share it for shame of being judged, criticized or looked down upon. Its a hard job being a mama! And I can only imagine how much more difficult having twins is. I’m so glad you found your way to this page and I hope you will consider starting your own abundant mama journey… I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help and guidance of Shawn, she’s amazing 🙂
Snow Rocks! Her words always make me feel like we could sit down with some coffee and talk for hours. The hours would be filled with, smiles, laughter and pure honesty. Cheers to you, Snow 🙂