Making It Up As I Go: Hard Lessons

When we say we’re here for all moms—we mean it. We don’t, in the slightest, just mean ‘perfect’ moms, in ideal marriages, with sparkly lives. We mean the moms who get STDs from their partners, who feel incomplete without another child, who are cheated on for 13 years, and who have to put their kids in daycare for 9 or 10 hours a day.

In this episode, we hear from Aidee as she navigates the feelings of guilt and a bit of remorse for choosing to work full-time and put her kiddos in daycare.

My Kids Spend Nine Hours at Daycare Every Day and I Have Learned to Be OK with it

Elizabeth can’t imagine the level of deception she’d have to go to to have an “oops” baby even though she desperately wants another.

Please, Sir, May I Have One More?: Longing for Another Child when “Oops, I Did it Again” Isn’t an Option

One contributor talks about learning to trust her gut when her PAP smear results show she got an STD (from her husband…).

True Life: My Husband Gave Me an STD

The final story included in this episode is about learning and healing after 13 years of affairs come out into the open.

True Life: My Husband Had Multiple Affairs

Thank you to our strong, smart, and courageous contributors for sharing their stories with us so that we can share them with you. The ACM community is here for you—no matter what hard motherhood lessons you’re in the midst of learning.

Amanda
A fifth-generation San Antonionian - who happened to spend her formative years in Austin - Amanda loves the SAT from the confetti in her hair to the bluebonnets under her feet. Never one to miss a reason to host a party or decorate for a theme, Amanda revels in the 'mas Fiesta' attitude of the city. She's mom to Vivi (2012) aka #HurricaneVivi, Mac (2020) and wife to Francois, whom she met at Texas A&M (FTAC '05). She has a Masters in Early Childhood Education and a Doctorate in Making it Up As She Goes - which means she's a sometimes-fun-mom. You can find her on Instagram . She loves confetti, croissants, and a cold Ranch Water. Favorite Restaurant: Piatti's Favorite Landmark: Johnson Street footbridge in King William Favorite San Antonio Tradition: Fiesta Medals