Read up as internet’s most beloved influential figures share their journey of motherhood this Mother’s Day!
On this Mother’s Day, we connected with Warisha Javed, Syeda Urooj Fatima, and Afifa Akhtar—three influencers, digital creators, and entrepreneurs, who are also mothers. In a world that often showcases only surface-level perfection, they fearlessly embrace the beauty of reality.
Mother’s Day isn’t just about idealizing mothers as epitomes of perfection; it’s about recognizing and humanizing their challenges, triumphs, decisions, and the myriad expectations placed upon them. While they may appear as superheroes, they are, at their core, human beings who crave understanding. Motherhood is widely acknowledged as one of life’s toughest yet most fulfilling roles.
Thus, we sought out insights from the internet’s most beloved influential figures. In a world often consumed by the superfluous, they bravely share their very real experiences of motherhood, offering fellow mothers candid reflections on their fears, the best and worst advice they’ve received, and three things they wish they had known earlier.
Join us as we delve into their deeply heartfelt perspectives on the journey of motherhood.
Warisha Javed!
1) What’s the one thing you were most afraid of in terms of motherhood?
Warisha Javed: “When I was expecting, one thing I was scared of was all the sleepless nights that people kept telling me about. But if I’m being honest, they only lasted a couple of weeks, you know just like an exam season, so I wouldn’t say it wasn’t tough, it sure was. I remember being so sleepy during the day that I would doze off while sitting???? but the truth is, it all gets better with time. When you see your baby smiling and responding, you tend to forget about the tough nights.”
2) The best and worst advice you got on parenting/motherhood?
Warisha Javed: “The best advice we got was definitely to enjoy each and every moment with our baby because they’re this small only for a few months, and they grow up before we even get a chance to process it.
The worst advice I think was to do facial massages that would change my baby’s features… firstly they don’t work, secondly I love her features the way the are!”
3) 3 things you wish you knew and now would like to suggest to new, expecting moms?
Warisha Javed:
“1. Every baby is different, don’t compare your baby with anyone else’s.
2. Postpartum depression is real, don’t let it consume you. Share your feelings with your partner, or loved ones.
3. And lastly, you do a LOT for your baby. Never doubt yourself, don’t go into mom guilt for leaving your baby with their dad/or anyone who can take care of them, if you want some time to yourself. In fact it’s necessary for your mental health to take a small break. A few hours don’t change anything. Happy mother’s day????”
Syeda Urooj Fatima
Urooj summed up the entirety of her experience uptil now as a mother:
“It is a rollercoaster of a ride. You experience so many emotions that you didn’t know existed, but you also relive so many emotions on degrees that your mind could never fathom. But every day you live a new life through two wide eyed tiny eyes and everything looks different. You live for them, through them ????”
Afifa Akhtar
1) What’s the one thing you were most afraid of in terms of motherhood?
Afifa Akhtar: “I was scared of the change, of self-loss most importantly. For me, individuality mattered so much, and that was one thing that scared me a lot!”
2) The best and worst advice you got on parenting/motherhood?
Afifa Akhtar: “The best one for me was, I am an extremely conscious person when it comes to parenting. So someone recently told me, “Don’t take everything to heart. If a child is throwing a tantrum, it’s not because of bad parenting; it’s just how they are. So just go with the flow.”
Worst advice: Ignore your child’s tantrums, don’t listen to their cries; they eventually get fine on their own. But I never listened to that because your child needs you to regulate their feelings.”
3) 3 things you wish you knew and now would like to suggest to new, expecting moms?
Afifa Akhtar:
“1. Society has put a lot of pressure on mothers on how it’s important for a mother to be 100% there for a child. Hence, a lot of mothers leave themselves behind for their children. I wish someone would have told me to give myself time and space to understand the new dynamics and to take it slow, and I would like to tell them this.
2. Parenting is no doubt hard, but asking for help is essential, so if you ever feel helpless, ask for it. Let the other person know that you want it because it truly takes a village to raise a child.
3. Take a pause from everything and just be there with your children. Enjoy their hugs, cuddles, kisses, and snuggles because they actually grow really fast.”
So, here’s a sign for all mamas to not doubt themselves, take it easy because you are doing your best! Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms who’re reading this!
