Photo: Jewel Younglove Photography
Kristin Helms has blown us away since her first weeks as a rookie mom in San Diego. I was excited to read her new book, From Boardroom to Baby, right before it hit the publisher. If you read it carefully, you might even find my love note:
If you’re struggling with making sense of maternity because it doesn’t live up to your imagination, this is the book for you. Kristin Helms reflects on her journey through early motherhood with honesty and humor as she guides you to examine new choices and create your own path. From new relationships to old expectations, she invites you to set intentions and appreciate where you are.
Kristin agreed to answer a few of our big questions about her book and her identity as a mom!
What was the biggest surprise about becoming a mom?
Kristin: When we become mothers, we expect that we’ll help our children learn and grow through each new stage, but I was surprised how much I learned and grew along the way, too. I’ve learned so much about responsibility, patience, flexibility and unconditional love. I think my children have actually taught me more than I could have ever possibly taught them in just four short years. Some days are hard and trying, but there’s so much magic to be realized in this season of motherhood.
2. How did you decide to write your book, From Boardroom to Baby: A Roadmap for Career Women Transitioning to Stay-at-Home Moms?Â
Kristin: When I first transitioned from my marketing career to stay home with my precious new daughter in 2013, I was grateful to get to spend every waking (and sleeping) moment with her, but I was also taken off guard with the change of pace and the feelings that rocked my self-esteem off kilter. I had placed so much of my “self” in my past career, that when I didn’t have that definition of myself anymore, I started questioning my identity and purpose.
To combat this mini-identity crisis, I began writing about motherhood on a blog during nap times and in the evenings. (The Rookie Moms challenges actually got me writing about my experiences as a first-time mom, so I’m forever grateful for the prompts!) That mommy blog transformed into a larger platform, Tribe Magazine. Writing provided an outlet for me outside of motherhood””a chance to fill my cup back up so I could turn around and continue providing the best for my family””and I knew that I eventually wanted to write this book to help other moms who might also be feeling lost during that transition from career to home.
Flash forward to 2017 when I read a Gallup poll that concluded that stay-at- home moms were
reporting higher rates of depression and many did not rank their lives as, “thriving.” After learning those statistics and knowing how hard my own transition was from career to home, I knew I had to write this book now.
There are many books and resources that help moms return to the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom, but very little that offer support to the career woman who decides to pivot and take some time off to be with her children in the early years. I think that transition, from career to home, may seem easy on the surface, but is often a lonely, confusing time for some moms. From Boardroom to Baby hands new stay-at- home moms a roadmap through the transition, shatters the stereotypes about what “staying home” looks like, and helps moms design an existence that is rewarding and empowering.
3. What’s your best advice for rookie moms?
Kristin: Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Raising tiny humans takes so much careful dedication, nurturing, love, and strength. Take some time to think about how you can recharge and revive so you can bring the best version of yourself to raising your family. Ask yourself what you need in order to thrive and then carve out the time and space to do that””you’ll need that soul food along this amazing journey through motherhood.
Kristin Helms making it look easy | Photo by Meg Russel Photography
Huge thanks to Kristin Helms for sharing her work and time with us today! Go, Kristin, go!
Any other new moms out there struggling between work and baby, check out From Boardroom to Baby!
[All photos provided by Kristin Helms, credit as noted]
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