identity shifts — Postpartum/ Year 1

I am mother

By Chelsea C.

Moon flushed and bare feet holding
grass between toes singing, swaying:
I am mother.

Postpartum, Year 1Ellie LotanFebruary 11, 2025identity shifts, physical recovery, learning to parentComment

First Mother's Day

By Ayala P.

It started with love
And an ache to love more
To experience that unknowable love
that I knew about but couldn’t fully know until becoming a mother.
It’s different than I thought it would be.
More complex, which makes sense.
To experience that unknowable love
that I knew about but couldn’t fully know until becoming a mother.
It’s different than I thought it would be.
More complex, which makes sense.

Year 1Ellie LotanAugust 30, 2022identity shifts, developmental milestones, queerfamComment

Identity

By Ayala P.

Somehow I thought I wouldn’t change *that much* after becoming a parent. I had tons of childcare experience and I naively thought a baby would fit seamlessly into my life. It was around six months postpartum that I realized just how much I had transformed, and that I needed time and attention to get to know myself again.

PostpartumEllie LotanAugust 30, 2022queerfam, identity shiftsComment

Goodbye Career

By Anonymous

I didn't quit until after having my second child. I didn't even last a month after my return from maternity leave. I mustered the courage and took the plunge. I wouldn't do that shit again.

PostpartumEllie LotanAugust 22, 2022back to work, guilt, identity shiftsComment

Postpartum/ The 1st Year