Motherhood is a Journey: Here’s What I’ve Learned

Motherhood is a journey…that is for sure! And sometimes it looks a little more like a race, or a pilgrimage or a voyage. In a way that’s the immense beauty of the whole thing. You aren’t quite sure as a mom what each day will bring, but at the end of the day, or week, or month, you realize, “I did that!” High five, you kick-butt mother!

Haily Meyers, the founder of Lucy Darling, is the quintessential mama. She loves her kiddos and family fiercely and also loves her company, which she operates with her husband, as well! She’s the first to tell you that some days are messy, and things in her house and business are most certainly not perfect (at least not all the time), but she is passionate about bring both work and family together. And she does it with grace!

Haily’s motherhood journey is as unique as yours or mine. Here’s what she’s learned!

When did you know you wanted to be a mother? 

I've always wanted to be a mother. I mothered even small bugs as a child. I am definitely one of those people who has looked forward to this chapter.

Did your plans or intentions change after having your first child?

What didn't change after having my first? What a game-changer it is to actually step into motherhood. You think you are one way like I thought I was a pretty easy-going and patient person, and then motherhood comes along and you just see yourself more fully in all of your strengths and your weaknesses. But it turns out to be this beautiful thing where you can grow into another version of yourself that, for me, I actually like a lot more. I'm a lot more aware of the areas where I'm not perfect, and that’s the beauty of it!

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from motherhood so far?

 The biggest lesson that motherhood has taught me is to give more grace. I have learned to let go of this idea that I’m going to be a perfect mother. I’m going to make mistakes. I’m going to fail. Really great things happen when I can forgive myself for that, or ask for my kids’ forgiveness when I need to. I actually get the opportunity to show my kids how to fail and make mistakes and learn from them. I also get the opportunity to give my kids grace for not being perfect. Knowing how hard it is to be a mother gives me that much more compassion for other moms out there who are just trying their best to do this really hard thing of raising up these little people who mean the world to us.

As a working mom, how do you support the mothering needs with business requirements?

 I have an amazing teammate who is a wonderful father to our kids and the most amazing husband. I could go on about him, but he’s really the biggest part of making the equation work for our family. We are truly a tag-team, going between business, family, and home responsibilities. It is a constant balancing act of trying to make sure all needs are being met but having that partner who is just as committed to all of those things makes it worth it.  

What do you do to take care of yourself?

 It’s a real struggle as a mom and business owner to make time for self-care. We need to care for our mind, body, and soul as moms and as people in general. Self-care in each of these areas looks a little different. I try to find time to work out for my body. I love to do Barre workouts and long walks. I love listening to thought-provoking podcasts for my mind. Just a little time with my earbuds in can be really refreshing as a mom. I try to also make time to read and pray for my soul, which means waking up early- a really huge challenge for me but so rewarding to have a moment before my kiddos wake up.

 Is there a mother in your life that you can count on for advice and guidance?

 I am so grateful for the many moms in my life who are wise and have walked the road before me. I’m such a believer in asking others for wisdom from their journey of motherhood. I learn so much from talking to them. I’m also very blessed to have both a mom and mother-in-law who are incredible women that I look up to.

What do you hope advances in the world for your kiddos as they grow into adults?

I hope that the world can become a place where people have permission to grow and fail and be forgiven. I know I have needed it throughout my life. I’m still a work in progress. 

Where can our readers find you?

You can find us at @lucydarlingshop on Instagram, and at lucydarling.com to shop for all of your darling and memorable family moments!