Real Talk from the Mom SpOT: Hormones, Boundaries & Voice Memos in the Shower

You know those conversations that make you feel like, “Wait, it’s not just me?”Yeah. That’s what happened at the last two Mom SpOT meetings.

Let me tell you—these moms brought the realness. We’re talking juicy, messy, heart-opening topics that had us all nodding, laughing, tearing up, and occasionally saying things like, “I haven’t said that out loud before.”

So here’s a little peek at what came up, because these conversations deserve to be shared. And because if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, confused, or like a half-deflated balloon that’s been stuck to the ceiling for three days—you're in good company.

1. The 4th Trimester Is Real and Weird

Your baby finally smiles at you… and it’s been three months. Until then? It’s a lot of crying (sometimes yours), very little sleep, leaky everything, and the occasional Google spiral at 3am. Meanwhile, you're supposed to “bond” and feel all the magical maternal feels.

But what if you’re like, This tiny human is adorable but also very confusing and demanding and I sort of miss my old life?

Normal. So, so normal. The 4th trimester is a giant, hormonal fog where you’re expected to recover from a major medical event while also keeping a tiny person alive with your body (or bottles) and pretending like you’re fine. You’re not fine. That’s why we talk about it.

2. Family Support vs. Family Boundaries: A Delicate Dance

Nothing quite prepares you for the unique challenge of gratefully accepting help from a family member while simultaneously resisting the urge to scream when they say, “You turned out fine without all this sleep training stuff!”

Bless them. Really.

But also—your baby, your rules. And yes, it is so hard to navigate those conversations when you’re already exhausted and maybe you do want the help, but not the commentary about how you feed, diaper, or breathe around your baby.

We talked about setting boundaries with love, managing different generational beliefs, and laughing at the absurdity of car seat installation debates. (Why are there 92 straps?!)

3. Who Even Am I Now?

There’s this identity shift that sneaks up on you. One minute you're “just” a daughter or sister or friend. Then BOOM—you’re someone’s mother. And suddenly the dynamic changes.

Not just for you, but for everyone around you. Your mom might still see you as her baby but is now trying to grandparent your baby. Your partner is figuring out their own identity, too. There’s so much swirling emotion around this: pride, grief, confusion, protectiveness.

It’s like musical chairs, but the music is "Baby Shark" and no one knows where to sit.

4. Expectation vs. Hope (and Not Losing Your Mind)

We had such a rich convo about how to communicate what we actually need—from our partners, our families, our workplaces—without sounding ungrateful or like we’re about to combust (even if we are).

Expectations can feel heavy. Hope feels a little softer. But either way, if we’re not clear about what’s going on in our brains and hearts, resentment brews. And we don’t want that.

We’re learning to say things like, “I hoped you’d offer to clean up dinner, ”instead of “You never help and I’m drowning and I’m never cooking again.”

Progress.

5. Going Back to Work is a WHOLE Thing

Whether you’re excited, dreading it, or somewhere in the middle, returning to work after baby can be a full-on identity earthquake.

Pumping at work? A logistical and emotional circus. Figuring out childcare? A whole spreadsheet, plus backup plans for your backup plans.Feeling like you're only half-there wherever you are? Yep. That too.

We talked about the guilt, the pressure, the mixed feelings—and how totally okay it is to not have it all figured out. Or to cry in the car sometimes. Or to fantasize about quitting everything and opening a coffee shop with goats.

6. You’re Not the Worst Mom—Promise

Someone brought up a book called “At Least You’re Not the Worst Mom” (or something like that) and we all immediately said, “Okay but I would 100% read that.”

Because YES. Sometimes you just need to know you’re not alone in the messy middle. You’re not the only one who microwaved your coffee four times and still didn’t drink it. You’re not the only one who felt ragey about a pile of laundry. You’re not the only one who felt numb for a minute. Or a week.

You're doing better than you think.

7. Voice Memos Are the New Journal

A few of us admitted to whispering voice memos into our phones while holding babies, washing dishes, or hiding in the bathroom. Because writing? Who has free hands?

Turns out, recording your random thoughts can be incredibly cathartic. You don’t need a fancy app or a five-year journal. You just need your phone and maybe a moment of silence (LOL okay, maybe a half moment).

It’s like a brain-dump therapy session, but free and available while you’re folding onesies.

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These Mom SpOT meetups are more than just a place to get tips and share stories. They’re a reminder that you’re not alone. That your feelings are valid. That the mess is shared.

So if you’re a mom in the thick of it, whether pregnant or postpartum or somewhere in the glorious gray area of “figuring it out”—we see you. We get you. Come hang out with us. We’ll laugh, cry, and validate your voice memo rants.

You belong here. 💛

Are you expecting? Check out our incredible all-in-one signature program made by a mom (and pelvic-perinatal-period wellness OT) for moms for more expert guidance on preparing for your baby’s arrival! There are hours of self-paced videos, weekly live video chats (think group coaching meets Q+A meets women supporting women), a 24/7 chat board where you can ask who else is awake at 3am, post a gif or meme, or find support, and a comprehensive toolkit for even more ideas and support. Go here!

If you're not quite sure that this program is the best fit (we just met - I get it!) consider checking out some of our free resources first: find out your postpartum prep style with a quick and fun quiz here. Or, check out our free recorded workshop. You'll see what my vibe is like and get some pointers on pelvic floor and core prep, protecting your mental health, and packing a hospital bag from the perspective of a pelvic-perinatal-period OT! Plus, we usually give away discount codes or freebies for those who grab this free recorded workshop:) Here's that link!

Disclaimer: Content provided by mighty mOThers, LLC is informational in intent, and is not meant to replace or contradict guidance provided by your personal doctor, therapist, or other healthcare practitioner. Please contact your healthcare provider or schedule a 1:1 evaluation with an OT with specific concerns, and call 911 if you are having a physical or mental health emergency.