Happy Mother's Day – we celebrate being a mom!

- 14 women / 14 answers -

What does being a mom mean to you?

And what did it teach you?

TERESA, #mumof2girls@little.linas.journey

"I'm often asked what being a mom means to me? Isn't it very exhausting, with two such young children? How I manage to stay so relaxed and happy? Should I tell you why? Because it makes me happy. Because it fulfills me. Because I enjoy it: life as a mom. Even though I focus on the girls most of the time, I still combine empty time slots with other things, let's call them errands. Or things that I do for myself. Bit by bit, I meet my needs. It's not everyone's absolute dream to have to put myself back like that. But hey - I have a toddler at home and a mini baby. And what can I say: In a few years, things will of course look different again. Free time and relaxation for me at the moment? Short wellness sessions, like a bath or a walk, or lying in the garden or on the bed. And you know what? I'm good with it. I mean, I accept this state. I don't constantly dwell on how exhausting everything is. That just leads to me wasting my energy on things that I could definitely use elsewhere. And I made a conscious decision to do it. And yes - I love it. Even though it often pushes me to my limits, everyday life with my little girls makes me very happy. And between all the diapers, wound ointments, and toys lying around, between the crying and laughing, between sleepless nights and tired children's eyes – yes, despite all of that, I'm enjoying my life, my self-determined everyday life, to the fullest, even if I, with all my needs, have to take a back seat and everything here revolves around the children from morning to night. Because I know this time will never come again. Other times will come again someday. And then? I miss my little, exhausting girls again. And maybe it's precisely this positive attitude that makes everything so much easier. You grow with your tasks. You let go of perfectionism. You become more pragmatic." - Teresa

NINA, #mumof2 @pinspiration.de

"The absolute miracle, the power and beauty of the female body: the growth of a baby inside me and the uniqueness of birth. Motherhood means infinite love, connection and gratitude. But it's also a huge responsibility and challenge to develop a little person, to look after them, to accompany them in everything, and to send them into this complex world. Mothers are strong multitaskers and, yes, often superheroes! It's fair to say that. Juggling family, job, and one's own free time sometimes works better, sometimes less so. No matter how exhausting it may be, everything I learn from my children and what they give me back is priceless!" - Nina

CLAUDI, #mumof4boys @wasfuermich

"Motherhood is my most beautiful challenge so far. And what it taught me: How unimportant the trouble at work, the dirty oven, or the pimple on my forehead is..." - Claudi

ALEX, #modelmum @alexfluegel

"Motherhood is complex. Until the day before birth, you have no idea what it's all about. It begins in second 0 and unfolds instinctively, awakening powers within you you never knew you possessed! Your perspective on life changes, especially that of your own parents. For the first time, you can sense exactly how they must feel about you. Suddenly, a stream of honey flows inside you, and when you stare at your child, the stream swells into a river. Overflowing, several times a day. Motherhood means a certain crazyness you never knew about yourself before. You sometimes mutate into a lioness, occasionally drown in your own household, occasionally put on a bad mother performance, suddenly have the stamina of a marathon runner, and with the honey flowing in your chest, you look like you're newly in love – every day!

The list is long, but I'll try to describe the essence: Motherhood is an experience that has brought me closer to "natural life" in our supposedly controllable, structured world. It started with becoming pregnant and reached a dramatic climax with birth. An incredible physical natural event is brewing, and you don't know when it will start or what it will turn out like! After that, your child determines the rhythm, and this changes every few days or weeks during the first few months of life. I've learned to go completely with the natural flow and have become a real pro at letting go. I've also recently started googling with my eyes closed, and I always get the optimal search result. Especially as a new mom, you're sometimes unsure what to do. Instead of reading self-help books, I now close my eyes and listen to what my instincts are telling me. I had completely forgotten how clear and wise they are in the hustle and bustle of modern life." - Alex   

Isabelle, #mumof2girls @amummyslife

"Being a mom continues to change me every day. The first wrinkles appeared on the outside. Having children brings a whole new, previously unimaginable level of stress and fatigue. Internally, I've become content and so much happier.

The children teach me a different perspective on certain things, people, and situations. Our two have completely changed my life and me. I'm very grateful for that!" - Isabelle

Maria, #girlsmum @minivoodoo_official

"Being a mom has many facets. Among other things, I see it as a great adventure under the guise of "balance." There's the popular discussion of work-family balance, the balance between being a wife and a girlfriend, as well as being a mom, and of course, the balance between gut feeling and unsettling outside voices that you have to tune out.

Being a mom is a part of me—a very important and fulfilling part, but one that hasn't overshadowed all the other facets. I'm still me—I just feel a little more grown-up, sometimes. Like every new phase in life, being a mom (perhaps even more so than all its predecessors) means that something else might take a back seat. I don't have the time or the desire for "bullshit" anymore. I'm incredibly grateful for that." - Maria

EFSTATHIA, #girlsmum @efstathiatzv

"Motherhood taught me how to be strong. Until I became a mother I didn't know I had it in me. I'm sure all mums feel the same. We should be proud of ourselves for rocking the strength thing. Motherhood is the most exhausting, yet fulfilling adventure I have ever been on." - Efstathia

Janine, #mumof2 @new2berlin

"Since becoming a mother, my world has been turning much slower. But I first had to learn not to rush around all the time, but to also just stop and look up at the sky through my children's eyes. " - Janine                                                                              

SOPHIA, #girlsmum @maybeyoulike

"Motherhood has taught me to slow down, not to let myself get stressed, and to simply live in the moment. Even if the moment drags on... So many people say, "Oh, everything changes with a child," but I don't think so at all! It just takes longer and a little more patience. Your life only changes as long as you allow it to. It's simply a shift in focus!

The love of a mother, and of course, that of a father, is infinite, and you wouldn't believe how strong you can suddenly become! You're happy to accept that packing for a trip to the mountains takes longer – because your daughter loves the ribbon, and in a moment it's hanging from her backpack, which actually belongs in the car! Then you just sit down and watch your child play in love. The mountain isn't going anywhere, and the path to it isn't impossible with a child, it's just gotten slower! - Sophia

ANNELIE, #boysmum @annelievonahoi

"It showed me what's important and what's unimportant. Children have a different dynamic and simply set different priorities. I'd say my child always slows me down, and we laugh and fool around until we can't anymore!

Becoming a mother and being a mother is the best thing that could ever happen to me!" - Annelie

TINA, #mumof3 @titantinas_ideen

"Motherhood has made me more aware of living and being more mindful. Not only with regard to the needs of my children, but also my own as a woman and mother. Recognizing them and becoming aware of and respecting my limits has led me to let go of my perfectionism over the years of motherhood. It's a constant test of patience to keep a cool head, even in the most challenging, emotionally charged moments. But on the other hand, it's also the most wonderful task for us mothers to accompany our children in their development, with all its ups and downs. And I believe: we can learn a lot from our children. They enrich our lives." - Tina

SABINE, #mumof2 @mumandstillme

"Closeness. Heart explosions. Deep trust. New priorities. Little sighs. Big moments of happiness. Having to give up control. Not just with regard to the daily chaos. But especially with regard to the course of life – which is out of our hands. Things often turn out differently than we expect. Since becoming a mother, I've been more patient and relaxed." - Sabine

LAURA, #girlsmum

"The best trip of my life - into a world full of love, enchantment and magic!

Being a mom has shown me that nothing can be planned anymore, the present moment is full of surprises & that's all that matters!" - Laura

NADINE, #boysmum @heimataufenthalt

"A lot of connection and love that you simply could never imagine before becoming a mother. From one day to the next, your priorities and your entire perspective on what's really important in life change.

Time is the most precious thing of all...and it passes far too quickly. Enjoy every moment with your loved ones and the little things in everyday life." - Nadine

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

P.S. We know exactly what a fantastic 24/7 job all moms do, so today we're giving away a little me-time with treatwell on Instagram and Facebook. You can win four treatwell vouchers worth €50 each. Thank you for making our mara mea adventure so special every day.