What if we stopped pretending that motherhood is always picture-perfect? Kendall Wellner, mother to 18-month-old Ellie, joins me for a refreshingly raw conversation about the beautiful mess of motherhood – from fertility treatments and pregnancy loss to those postpartum struggles nobody warns you about.
Kendall's fertility journey took four years, multiple treatments, and walking through the heartbreak of loss before finally welcoming her rainbow baby. But that was just the beginning. With remarkable candor, she shares how she didn't feel an immediate connection with her daughter after birth – something many mothers experience but few discuss. "The first year was the toughest year of my life," she confesses, describing the anxiety, identity crisis, and unexpected emotions that blindsided her during postpartum.
We dive deep into how motherhood transforms everything from your marriage to your faith. Kendall beautifully articulates how seeing her daughter helped her comprehend just a fraction of God's love for us: "When I looked at her...I was like, gosh, He loves me and her. I can't even imagine." This spiritual awakening became a source of strength during her darkest moments.
What makes this conversation truly special is our shared conviction that honesty creates community. Whether discussing "mom fails" during tornado warnings or the guilt of wanting to return to work, we're challenging the perfect-mom narrative that leaves so many feeling inadequate. As Kendall reminds us: "It's okay if you want to be a working mom. It's okay if you are struggling or hate postpartum. It's okay if you don't want to breastfeed."
Whether you're trying to conceive, in the thick of postpartum, or simply needing permission to be imperfect, this episode offers both solidarity and hope. Connect with us and remember – behind every "perfect" Instagram mom is a real woman trying to figure it out just like you.
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XO, Alexis Schmoker
Mama of the Wild Crew
📸: A heartfelt thank you to Jordan Allen of Cr00ked Teeth Photography for capturing this stunning cover photo.
