Before kids, I was the queen of “type A” personalities. Planning was my jam and having everything “figured out” was my daily mantra. But when my first son arrived, postpartum hit me like a freight train. Suddenly, my meticulously laid plans were thrown out the window, and I felt like I had lost control over every aspect of my life. Resentment started to bubble up towards my husband, whose life seemed unfazed by the chaos of parenthood while my days were consumed by feeding, changing, and coordinating the baby’s sleep schedule.
I was hesitant to talk about these feelings, convinced that millions of moms before me had managed just fine, so maybe I was just being overly sensitive. This was before I stumbled upon mom communities on social media which was a complete game changer. I realized I wasn’t alone in feeling lost and overwhelmed.
Shortly after my first son, I found out I was pregnant with my second (they’re 14 months apart). The chaos doubled with two babies, and I felt like I was drowning in feeding schedules and nap times. My anxiety soared, and I longed for routine and self-care. This time, armed with the confidence from connecting with other moms online, I spoke up more. I shared the raw, unfiltered moments of motherhood on social media and found solace in the solidarity of other moms.
Sharing my struggles opened floodgates of support from friends and acquaintances who were also silently struggling. It was a revelation to realize that what I thought was my personal battle was actually a shared experience.
I searched for tools to bring routine back into my life, to help me set and keep goals as a working mom, to journal my feelings and a place where I felt seen as a mom. I was shocked to find out that there was nothing that met all my needs. Where was this essential tool that all moms deserved?
As a web designer with an ad agency background, I felt uniquely equipped to create this tool. Given that I had this skill at my disposal, I felt I owed it to other moms all over the world to at least try. On Valentine’s Day 2023, I told my husband over dinner that I was going to create an app for moms that focused on mental wellness. His response? “If anyone can do it, it’s you. I can’t wait to see how amazing it will be.” With his support, I began my UX research the next day. Mama Mode was born.
2023 was a whirlwind: raising two young children, working my day job as a web designer, navigating my anxiety, and dedicating every spare moment to developing Mama Mode. It was a year of immense dedication, pouring my heart, soul, time, and money into creating an app that could make a difference in moms’ lives.
Every second was worth it. Mama Mode became a treasure trove of tools that I had longed for as a mom. It’s truly an app built by a mom who was in the trenches of motherhood for moms who are in the same position.
Mama Mode is still growing, with more tools and resources planned for the future. With each new phase of motherhood, I face fresh challenges, and each one fuels my determination to make Mama Mode an even stronger support system for moms everywhere.
Motherhood is a journey filled with ups and downs, but with Mama Mode, I hope to make it a little less chaotic and a little more supportive for moms everywhere.
Emily Higgins is the Founder of Mama Mode.
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