Before we become mothers, we have visions and certain ideas of what motherhood will be like. Many of us, as little girls, pretended and practiced being a mom to our dolls. I remember those moments being so fulfilling and idyllic. I couldn’t wait to be a mother. And many of us realize motherhood isn’t exactly what we imagined when we notice those early pregnancy symptoms to finally getting to hold our little babies for the first time. It is wonderful and the best thing ever, but it is more . . . and then some.

In this episode, I’m chatting with Whitney Bausman, a registered nurse, full-time mom to her two children, and author of her book Partly Sunny. We’re talking about motherhood. Like me, Whitney had certain expectations when she first became pregnant on what motherhood would be like and then realized mothers around her had not been sharing all of the details on what motherhood is really like. Reality hit her, inspiring her to write her book and share her experience so that other mothers could feel more prepared for their parenting journey. Listen along as we break down motherhood: expectations vs. realities.