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FOLLOW YOUR GUT, AND OTHER MAMA ADVICE
Joy, fulfillment, pride. Guilt, shame, uncertainty. Motherhood is a complex, nuanced mix of a vast range of emotions, and yet somehow, it can feel uncomfortable—unacceptable, even—to express anything that so much as veers toward the negative end of the spectrum.
We’re celebrating motherhood for everything it is—the joys, challenges, and all the messy, surprising, incredible moments in between—with our Let’s Talk Motherhood series. Members of the barre3 community are sharing their experience of motherhood with us, answering questions that skip the small talk and get right to the issues.
Today, we’re talking to Thu Downey, Retail Operations and Assistant Buyer at barre3. When she’s not at our Home Office making sure the B3 Shop has everything you need, she’s spending time with her husband and their adorable son, Lincoln. Read on to get to know Thu and her experience with motherhood.
I’m the mama of…
Lincoln, our golden child
Before I became a mother, I thought motherhood was going to be…
Wonderful and a fairytale. I knew I wanted to be a mother and felt very blessed to be one—however it’s hard work daily. I try to be a good role model to my son because he’s always watching and learning my behavior. He keeps me always being self-aware of my actions.
My favorite part of being a mom is…
The gift of being Lincoln’s mom and loving him with all my heart and soul. It’s amazing to watch him learn new things and see the world through his lens. He helps me remember that he is our future and I can make a difference through him.
The hardest thing about being a mom is…
The guilt you always feel. As much as I try to feel centered and balanced, I feel guilty either not being there or not knowing if I did the right thing for him.
The thing I miss most about my life before motherhood is…
Being able to do things without a sense of responsibility holding me back. I do not take my role lightly, and because of that I know that some of my dreams are now put on hold so that I can make sure I’m always there for him.
My philosophy on motherhood is…
Follow your gut and instincts. You can read all the books in the world or listen to expert advice. But at the end of the day, no one knows you or your family better than you do. Let’s face it, no child is the exact same, and you know your child best.
When I can carve out time for myself, I…
Like to read, go on a hike, peruse down aisles at Target, and of course get a barre3 class in.
Motherhood has changed my feelings about…
What my mom must have felt about me and my brothers growing up. I now, after being a mom, truly appreciate and admire her role and how she shaped our lives.
I would tell mothers-to-be…
To go into it with an open mind. For me, all the ideas I had pre-baby went out the door the minute he came into the world. Also, enjoy every minute good or bad because it passes too quickly. As someone once told me, “The days are long but the years are short.” Remember that at each stage of their life.
I hope my kids remember me as…
The mom that always supported and showed love. The fun and cool mom who was also stern when needed. Essentially, the best mom ever, like my mom. (I have a lot to live up to.)
Joy, fulfillment, pride. Guilt, shame, uncertainty. Motherhood is a complex, nuanced mix of a vast range of emotions, and yet somehow, it can feel uncomfortable—unacceptable, even—to express anything that so much as veers toward the negative end of the spectrum.
We’re celebrating motherhood for everything it is—the joys, challenges, and all the messy, surprising, incredible moments in between—with our Let’s Talk Motherhood series. Members of the barre3 community are sharing their experience of motherhood with us, answering questions that skip the small talk and get right to the issues.
Today, we’re talking to Thu Downey, Retail Operations and Assistant Buyer at barre3. When she’s not at our Home Office making sure the B3 Shop has everything you need, she’s spending time with her husband and their adorable son, Lincoln. Read on to get to know Thu and her experience with motherhood.
I’m the mama of…
Lincoln, our golden child
Before I became a mother, I thought motherhood was going to be…
Wonderful and a fairytale. I knew I wanted to be a mother and felt very blessed to be one—however it’s hard work daily. I try to be a good role model to my son because he’s always watching and learning my behavior. He keeps me always being self-aware of my actions.
My favorite part of being a mom is…
The gift of being Lincoln’s mom and loving him with all my heart and soul. It’s amazing to watch him learn new things and see the world through his lens. He helps me remember that he is our future and I can make a difference through him.
The hardest thing about being a mom is…
The guilt you always feel. As much as I try to feel centered and balanced, I feel guilty either not being there or not knowing if I did the right thing for him.
The thing I miss most about my life before motherhood is…
Being able to do things without a sense of responsibility holding me back. I do not take my role lightly, and because of that I know that some of my dreams are now put on hold so that I can make sure I’m always there for him.
My philosophy on motherhood is…
Follow your gut and instincts. You can read all the books in the world or listen to expert advice. But at the end of the day, no one knows you or your family better than you do. Let’s face it, no child is the exact same, and you know your child best.
When I can carve out time for myself, I…
Like to read, go on a hike, peruse down aisles at Target, and of course get a barre3 class in.
Motherhood has changed my feelings about…
What my mom must have felt about me and my brothers growing up. I now, after being a mom, truly appreciate and admire her role and how she shaped our lives.
I would tell mothers-to-be…
To go into it with an open mind. For me, all the ideas I had pre-baby went out the door the minute he came into the world. Also, enjoy every minute good or bad because it passes too quickly. As someone once told me, “The days are long but the years are short.” Remember that at each stage of their life.
I hope my kids remember me as…
The mom that always supported and showed love. The fun and cool mom who was also stern when needed. Essentially, the best mom ever, like my mom. (I have a lot to live up to.)
