154 | Motherhood Redefined w/ Jenna Worther

On Today's episode of the Make Room Show, we dive into all things Motherhood.

First off, have you ever noticed how society rarely uses the term "working dad"? It's as if fatherhood doesn't require the same level of work and commitment as motherhood. Well, let me tell you, being a mother is hard work, and we deserve recognition for it.

We're constantly told that we need to "have it all," but what does that even mean? Society's expectations of what we should achieve as mothers can be overwhelming and unrealistic. It's time to redefine what "having it all" means to us individually and strive for a more authentic approach to motherhood.

As mothers, we need to be authentic and vulnerable with our struggles, so we can build a supportive community. It's okay to admit that we don't have all the answers and that we need help sometimes.

We also talk about how we can stop being so bothered by the little things that don't matter. Most of our expectations are just that - expectations. We need to let go of the pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect and embrace imperfection as a part of the journey.

We also need to stop judging other moms because we are all in this shared human experience. The label of "mother" means so many things, and we each have our own unique way of navigating it. Let's celebrate our differences and support each other instead of tearing each other down.

Speaking of labels, how about embracing our "becoming" as a mother? It's a constant journey of growth and self-discovery. We should be proud of how far we've come and excited about where we're headed.

For empty nesters, it's a new phase of life that can be both exciting and scary. It's important to take time to reflect on our accomplishments as a mother and focus on self-care rituals that will actually help us.

Finally, let's not forget that how we were mothered can affect how we mother our own children. It's important to recognize any patterns or habits that we may have inherited and actively work to break the cycle if necessary.

So there you have it, moms. A lot to think about and reflect on. Let's continue to support each other on this journey and remember to take care of ourselves along the way.

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Jenna Worthen is the author of Mom Who Works and founder and chief curator
for an online, global organization of the same name. Exhausted by the label “working mom” and all the things that come with it—unnecessary bias, mom guilt, lesser pay and career mobility, and more—Worthen sought a new identifier for women who work. Thus, the phrase “mom who works” was born.

The Mom Who Works community serves more than 2,500 women who want to redefine what it means to be a working mom in a world without working dads. Focused on the intersection of motherhood and career hood, Mom Who Works hosts in-person events, digital retreats, and weekly engagement and discussion with more than 2,500 women through its platforms on Instagram, Facebook and email.

Worthen is a mom who works as CEO and founder of James Martin Company, helping candidates and nonprofits create and implement intentional development strategies. She has served as chief storyteller for an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit and was a co-founder of the 111Project, a nonprofit that serves children and families in foster care.

Worthen earned her master’s in political management from George Washington University and her undergraduate degree in politics and law from Southern Nazarene University. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and three children—Bobby, Jake, and June—and a dog named Nicey, who rescued them.

Find Jenna: 

Website: MomWhoWorks.com

Instagram: @MomWhoWorks / @JennaWorthen

Facebook: We are Mom Who Works