Meet Gin

Describe your journey into motherhood.

Becoming a mother is the only thing I have ever been 100% sure of in my life. While the other kids dreamt of growing up to be veterinarians, doctors, athletes, and firemen, I dreamt of being a mother. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. When all my friends went off to school to study for their dream professions, I traveled the world taking care of children in Malawi, Kenya and Haiti.

While home from my travels I was a nanny. Caring for children is what I was made for. Nannying wasn’t just a job for me, it was my education on how to be a mother. I prepared and studied and practiced being a mother for years before my 1st was born. My hard work payed off because when Zoey was born I was totally at ease and so ready. My time had finally come! No stress and all joy.

She entered my arms after 27 hours of a hard, beautiful and natural labor. With my husband by my side and my village of women around me, it was perfect. Zoey was born in her sac, it burst as she entered the world. An entrance that makes total sense if you know my daughter. She was so strong and so ready to live life. She has yet to slow down. She was the easiest baby in every way. At least to me. Now almost 3, she is an old soul who is wise beyond her years and my perfect match.

My second came 2.5 years later. A hard pregnancy from beginning to end. Which shocked me because I felt like a million bucks with my first. He must have known that I was nervous about having the strength a 2nd time for a natural labor, because I was worried it would be another 27hr labor. Because then my sweet boy came rushing into this world. My water broke at 7am and he was here at 9:04 am. All 9.2 lbs of him. I barely made it to the hospital! As they placed him in my arms I was in total shock. It went so fast. He was amazing. The whole experience was exactly as I needed it to be. What a gift he gave me. Within a few hours I was ready to run through the halls. All the pain I experienced during the pregnancy were immediately gone. I have a little mama’s boy and my heart is complete.

Motherhood has come easy to me. Not because it isn’t hard, because it feels so right.

What has been your biggest challenge as a mother? 

Trying to adjust my idea of what balance is. Having flexible expectations. I’m learning that balance changes from day to day. What I needed yesterday I might not need today to feel balanced. Also having less expectations of what has to be completed to feel balanced and successful. The lists never end and I will never catch up. I’m realizing this is a huge part of motherhood.  It’s been a hard and ongoing lesson for me.

What has come naturally to you as a mother. 

The importance of discipline. I think this is because of all of my experience with other children before my own. I also have spent hours and hours researching effective and healthy ways to raise children. Probably a weird answer but it’s actually hard for me to explain.There is an interesting art to discipline and you have to be ready to switch it up all the time.  I know how to discipline my little girl in an effective way that has lasting results while earning her respect. Zoey is a very strong and independent little girl. She can give me a run for my money that’s for sure. But it’s up to me to get down to her level and use the hard moments as an opportunity to teach.  When you get through to your little ones in the right way the situation diffuses quickly and you have peace in the house.

What advice would you give a new mother.

Don’t stress. Laugh out loud when $*%^ hits the fan. Literally. Your baby can feel it when you stress out and they will absolutely react to it. The more laid back you are the more easy going your baby will be. Trust me, you want an easy going baby. If you’re at a loss and don’t know what to do, reach out to friends and family. Use your village of women. It’s okay to share your struggles and ask for help. It’s not just better for you but also better for your baby.

What is your favorite thing to do with your children and why?

Because I have a toddler and a baby the answer is different with each one. My little girl has the most brilliant imagination. It blows me away. I love to play pretend anything with her and see what she will come up with. She tells amazing stories with a crazy amount of expression. I can’t wait to see where she goes in this life. With my little boy my favorite thing to do is definitely breastfeeding. Especially when it’s just us. Staring at each other all cuddled up. I’m soaking up every feed with my last babe.

Describe yourself in 3 words. 

Happy. I really like being happy. I like to wake up happy and go to bed happy. And when I’m not happy, I work hard to fix the problem so I can be happy again. Communicator. Communicating is one of my strengths in life. I believe it is very important and has the power to change EVERYTHING. So I work hard to be great at it. Problem Solver. I like to help others with their problems. Usually through communication so they can be happy again.

How do you love to spend your time when you get your break from the kiddos?

Simple. With my husband or friends, enjoying good food and drinks while having UNCENSORED conversation!