The Why Behind Learning Motherhood

Today I want to share my "why" for founding Learning Motherhood. I wrote this in an email I sent back in 2015. It was my breaking point and the moment I finally asked for help. I had been back from maternity leave after the birth of my first son for months in my corporate leadership role and never imagined this transition would be this hard.

Dear Sarah,

I realized today after having a day off during the week and going to my first story time with Oliver that holding in my emotions regarding work is not healthy for me.

I have never felt so alone after being back at work now. It has taken me back to the first two months of Oliver's arrival. I have no one at work or friends that seems to be going through this and it definitely has been tough to be strong, but I push through because ultimately I thought being strong is best for our family.

I have stopped journaling because it is just too tough. I hold a tremendous amount of guilt now about not documenting moments that I have with Oliver during this first year.

My husband and I have been fighting recently since we got back from Thanksgiving. It didn't dawn on me until today when I broke into tears after I sat down at story time and the leader of the class started singing you are my sunshine did I realize that being strong was actually not healthy at all for myself or family.

It's tough to talk to others that seem to be navigating through these challenges with ease because you just second guess yourself on adjusting to the new realities of life.

I need help I can’t do this alone anymore.

- Kimberly Didrikson Founder of Learning Motherhood, a documented day after maternity leave back in early 2015. 

I remember this day so clearly and the experience at story time as uncontrollable tears dripped down my face. The memory is etched in my brain and that was the start of building Learning Motherhood. Something new for working mothers to feel supported, to feel not alone, to feel armed with tools to navigate this transition, and most importantly a community to lean on.