I used to define myself as an Alpha mom, the mom who constantly had it together, the mom who had her kids dressed perfectly while searching endlessly for the best pre-school in the neighborhood. I have been known as the Type “A” mom who made a checklist for the checklist and never forgot to respond to an e-mail or make cupcakes for school.
But I soon realized I was also a Beta mom. I had those mornings when I went out with a coffee stained t-shirt and ended up late to a birthday party. I still have my moments when I don’t want to make another play date because I want my kids to just play, spontaneously, without it being planned.
And the more I talked with other women I soon found I was not alone. As moms, we are all in this together and deep down there is part Alpha and part Beta in all of us. So then, if we are part Alpha and part Beta, then what are we?
We are Theta Moms, The True, Authentic Moms. [The-T-A] We are authentic because we live authentic lives.
Life isn’t perfect and neither are our kids.
Basically, this all goes back to when I was pregnant for the first time. I remember thinking, “Why didn’t anyone divulge the real deal to me about actually giving birth?” I took those courses and read every pamphlet offered through the hospital, but I still wasn’t prepared for what actually happened before, during, and after delivery. Bringing baby home was like a shock to my entire system. Why didn’t anyone tell me the whole truth about what to really expect?
I felt like I was misinformed. I felt like there was a secret code among mothers that wasn’t offered or shared. Even the tons of books I read about pregnancy and “what to expect” that first year didn’t spell-it-out-for me.
I feel the same way about motherhood. Why didn’t anyone tell me the real deal about motherhood? Although I love my children more than anything in the world, the reality of this “role” was never clearly defined for me.
It is the hardest job on the planet.
So, I’ve decided to break the secret code or at least maybe the silence.
I began this website as an opportunity to share my experiences as a mother. One of my hopes in developing this blog was to begin the line of communication and form a sense of community among Theta Moms everywhere. Through the launch of TMC I succeeded in doing exactly that. I have found that you, fellow Theta Moms, were truly engaged and inspired by this Mission and you continue to engage in the challenge of revolutionizing the way we think about our role as mothers.
Essentially, I created this website as a platform to begin the dialogue…
What makes you a Theta Mom?
I invite you to join forces with me to revolutionize the way we think about our role as mothers. We need to begin the dialogue about what it truly means to be an authentic mom. Nobody said that motherhood would be easy. Theta Mom is the perfect space to share your story, your experiences, your life and your voice. Throughout this website, you will find that I share my life experiences as a Theta Mom which begins the conversation of how I live as a true, authentic mom.
TMC is a wonderful extension of this Mission since so many other women and mothers have joined the conversation and continue to make this idea thrive.
The Marketplace is another fantastic addition to Theta Mom since together we are supporting women in business. It is in this space that we are helping to promote products we love from businesses that we trust, all in an effort to support the hard working women behind each brand. Now THAT is powerful.
I welcome you to Theta Mom, a place that enriches the lives of all mothers to help us understand the ups and downs of motherhood; a place for women, mothers and bloggers to connect, network and exchange ideas; a place to begin an honest dialogue and continue the conversation, and a place to promote and support women-owned brands.
We ARE redefining the role of motherhood…one mom at a time.
Oh how I felt the same way! I just had a baby 6 months ago and I started my blog for the same reasons. I love being a mom but motherhood…I’m coming around to liking that:). Good for you for starting this and I’ll be back to visit again.
What a neat idea for a blog–I can see why it’s popular!
Twitter: thismommyworks
says:
Oh, the list is long! Looking forward to reading more & contributing thoughts
Twitter: xoalexis
says:
Great idea! I’m no where close being ready for motherhood (I’m only seventeen), but I can’t wait to read and really appreciate websites like yours when the time comes.
However, my biggest fear about motherhood is not passing on good morals to my children, but accidentally instilling something else unintended.
I found your site through the SITSahood. I am an aspiring mother (have been keeping my fingers crossed so much each month I have arthritis). Thank you for peeling away all of the generic information found in the books and telling it like it is. I hope I’ll be more prepared if/when the time comes!
Absolutely got to agree with you. Mothers are raising the future generation and given very little recognition and support is given to them.
Twitter: litanyofbritt
says:
I just wrote a post about this last month, The Dirty Little Secrets of Motherhood. But I think I can expand on it in a new post for Monday. I loves me a challenge.
Such a tough topic. So, it will be interesting what the “real” stories are that you get. The interesting thing is that as you and your kids get older the bad memories recede and the good ones stand out in bold relief. And that’s probably as it should be….motherhood and apple pie right? I’m a grandma too and all I can say is that the best decision I ever made in my life was my four kids. It was also the one that brought me the most grief and heart ache too. But it was worth every tear, every bit of anger, every moment of fatigue. And I suppose if there wasn’t that kind of investment in the job of being a mom I wouldn’t place such a high price and value on it today.
This is such a great idea! I look forward to reading more of your posts. You can never fully be prepared for pregnancy, child birth, and raising a child! I learned the hard way. The only thing I can say is that having a child is so miraculous and rewarding. I would love to grab the TMC badge!
Twitter: ThetaMom
says:
Thanks so much McKenzie! I get very excited when I see other moms understand and join in this mission – thanks so much for stopping by!!
Twitter: SLDMorgan
says:
Wow! That’s exactly how I felt when I had my son — total shock to my system and wondering why no one told me what it was really going to be like. I’ve tried to be very honest about motherhood with my friends who are new to it or who haven’t gotten there yet just so they don’t feel that same shock. Unfortunately, mommy brain takes over and I forget a lot of the “secrets.” I’m guessing that’s what happened to my other mommy friends, too.
Twitter: ThetaMom
says:
Shannon,
This is why I love this blogging community so much because there are so many moms who ARE getting ‘real’ about motherhood – and we have a way of connecting on so many levels – which is really the heart and soul of the mission of writing this blog. I am so glad you stopped by Theta Mom!!
Twitter: frivolousmom
says:
Oh how I wish there were MORE moms out there willing to be honest and authentic. What a great idea! I love it!
Twitter: ThetaMom
says:
Heather,
So glad you found Theta Mom! Looking forward to blogging with you!
I love it! We are sooo on the same page. I am really enjoying reading through your blog and am so glad I found you.
Twitter: ThetaMom
says:
Thanks so much Jen!! Look forward to blogging with you.
Thank you for creating such a network and thus improving all our lives just that much.
Twitter: MeasuringFlower
says:
Awesome idea! I have one child so far–a six month old boy. So I’ll probably be seeking advice from this site a LOT! And if there was one thing I wish people had told me, it would be that breastfeeding is hard and takes a lot of work. Nobody told me that! I expected it to be easy-peasy and natural. People said things like, “This baby will change you life…” and I thought, “No, duh? Really?” But they left out the things that I really didn’t know, like the breastfeeding. As a result of my struggles in this area, my son never latched correctly. I to this day pump milk for him! But I am determined with my next child, we will succeed at breastfeeding. Thanks for the great website!
Twitter: JenAnnHall
says:
Your mission is great! Love authenticity. Love being REAL.
I have no freaking idea why what motherhood is really like wasn’t freely discussed and shared before.
At least we can now!