mothers

Back in my early twenties, I struggled financially. But more so in that much-mocked Millennial quest of “finding myself,” I made a number of questionable decisions.

I’m not saying having children doesn’t change things. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t reevaluate our life choices as we build our families. What I AM saying is that we must stop hinting to cisgender women that once they’ve had kids, their lives are laid out for them.

With every 2 AM wakeup cry and biohazard diaper blowout, I waited for that all-consuming love that everyone had promised me, but all I found was exhaustion, frustration, and confusion. All my girlfriends were posting on Facebook about how beautiful their newborns were, how their hearts were bursting with love, and how they had felt an instant connection. So what was wrong with me?

Spotted in: Lake Merritt, Oakland

My decision to bed-share with my children despite potential SIDS risks has less to do with studies, and more to do with instinct.

Psychiatric illness is still stigmatized. And that’s hard when you have a psychiatric illness.

I’m lucky to be smart, to have an astonishingly good memory. Or maybe I’m lucky to be bipolar.

Your first venture out since the baby and here you are: unkempt, wearing sweatpants despite the heat.