CEO Mama Newsletter: 11th Edition

Hey ,

Motherhood has a way of making you feel like you’re everywhere all at once. 

So many people and things are constantly pulling at our attention, needing us, wanting us, and requiring our presence – our families, our teams, our friends…

(And let’s just acknowledge that we are SO FREAKING LUCKY to be needed by so many and wearing all the hats that we do).

So as the incredible, capable, loving mamas we are – we show up. We grow new arms, eyes, and legs to be able to hold more, do more, hear more, help more….

It works most of the time, even though it often leaves us feeling drained – like we’re pouring from a near-empty cup. 

But nonetheless, we multitask and do whatever it takes to show up for all the sacred roles we hold. Mother. Wife. Leader. CEO. Friend. Sister. 

We hold a lot as mothers and while yes, we do a lot – it often comes at the cost of feeling pulled in so many directions and very often distracted by all that is asking for our full, undivided attention and presence. 

So let’s talk about breaking the cycle of distraction, letting go of standards of perfection, and what’s on the other side of full presence in motherhood. 🥰

What Deserves Your Heart vs. What Demands Your Time

Motherhood has a way of throwing everything at you all at once. A sink full of dishes, a dozen unread texts, a project deadline, a kid crying because they “can’t find the green cup” – all vying for your immediate attention. 

It feels like everything is urgent, but here’s the thing: urgent doesn’t always mean important.

The truly important moments – the ones that deserve your heart – often whisper instead of shout. 

It’s the quiet “Mama, watch this!” as your child builds something with Legos. The chance to sit together on the couch and let them tell you about their day. It’s the look they give you when they’re unsure if they’ve disappointed you or made you proud. 🥹

But the urgent things? They scream. They demand. They fill your day with noise and convince you they’re the priority. Responding to a work email while your toddler tugs at your leg. Loading the dishwasher instead of joining the spontaneous dance party in the living room. Obsessing over the toy chaos in the playroom while your kids are making memories right in the middle of it.

We get swept up in the urgent because it’s often easier. It gives us a sense of accomplishment. 

But here’s the truth we don’t like to admit: checking boxes isn’t the same as being present.

What deserves your heart? The things that can’t be undone. The bedtime snuggles where they press their cheek against yours. The way they mispronounce words in a way that will be gone by next year. The way they light up when you stop what you’re doing just to watch them twirl, jump, or do something that, in their little world, is everything.

And what’s just demanding your time? The things that will still be there tomorrow. The unread notifications, the laundry piles, the clutter in the kitchen. They’re not going anywhere. But your child? They are. They’re growing, changing, slipping through your fingers moment by moment. 

These early days are filled with so much impermanence and moments we will never get back. There’s such joy and grief all bundled together – truly the backdrop of motherhood. 

But this isn’t about guilt, it’s about choice. It’s about giving yourself permission to let the urgent wait so you can give your heart to what matters most. 

Because when we look back, we’ll never wish we’d spent more time scrolling, cleaning, or checking off lists. We’ll wish we’d paused to love, listen, and just be.

Breaking The Distraction Loop

Motherhood has a way of blurring time. The phrase "the days are long, but the years are short" feels more like a lived truth than a clever saying. 

One minute you’re rocking a newborn in the middle of the night, and the next, you’re wondering how they outgrew their favorite shoes so quickly. 😭

Distraction thrives in this whirlwind. We scroll, check emails, run errands, or organize drawers because it feels easier than facing the relentless pull of the present. 

And while these small distractions give us a fleeting sense of control, they also rob us of the moments that truly make motherhood magical.

But here’s the thing: we get to choose differently.

It’s easy to stay in the loop. To wake up, hit the ground running, and let the demands of life and business dictate your attention. To crash into bed every night wondering where the day went. But we don’t have to stay stuck.

We can choose to break the cycle.

Tomorrow can be different, not because life slows down but because we do. We can decide to put down the phone, close the laptop, set true boundaries, and step away from the endless tasks pulling us in every direction. Even if just for a moment.

Distraction pulls us out of the moment, but presence roots us back in it.

And yes, it’s messy. Life and business won’t pause just because you want to be present. There will always be something vying for your attention. 

But in those moments when your child climbs into your lap, asks you to watch them build their latest creation, or shares their day with you – those are the moments that make motherhood so precious.

When we choose presence, we teach our kids what matters most. We show them that they’re more important than the buzzing phone or the “urgent” email. And we teach ourselves that slowing down isn’t a failure, it’s a gift.

So, what if tomorrow looked like this?

Instead of scrolling Instagram while your little one plays, you sit on the floor and join them.

After school drop-off, you pause for five deep breaths in the car before rushing into your meeting.

When you catch yourself reaching for your phone at lunchtime, you stop and soak in the quiet, fleeting moments of their childhood instead.

This isn’t about being perfect or present every second of the day. It’s about making small, intentional choices that align with what truly matters to you as a mother.

Because the truth is, motherhood gives us a front-row seat to the most fleeting, beautiful, and precious moments of life. 

Let’s not let distraction steal those moments. 

Let’s choose presence. 

Let’s choose connection. 

Let’s choose to savor the depth that motherhood brings. 

We will look back and be SO thankful that we did. 

Distraction doesn’t make you a bad mom, it’s a sign of how much you’re holding.

But presence doesn’t mean doing more – it means being more where you are.

One of the simplest ways to practice presence is through eye contact. When your child says, “Mommy, look!” or reaches for your attention, pausing to meet their gaze communicates something powerful: You matter. I see you. I’m here with you. 🥹

Research shows that eye contact builds trust, strengthens emotional bonds, and helps children feel safe and valued – which is everything. 

It’s through these small moments of connection that we nurture their self-esteem and emotional regulation. Truly, even just a few seconds of undivided attention – locking eyes, smiling, acknowledging their story is all it takes. 

For your child, it’s a moment of being seen. For us mamas, it’s an anchor back to what matters most.

The beauty of this practice? It doesn’t require extra time, energy, or perfection. It’s not about having the right words or solving every problem – it’s simply about showing up fully in the moment.

After any separation like school, a long meeting, or time apart – spend 15 uninterrupted minutes playing with your child. 

No phone, no technology, no distractions. 

Sit on the floor and let them lead. Build a tower, race cars, play dress up, or just roll a ball back and forth. Dr. Tina Bryson shares a lot about the power of play and how important it is to help our kids feel connected, safe, and seen.

So this week, put your phone away and treat these 15 minutes as sacred. Not only will it calm your child’s nervous system, but it’ll also help you reset from all the pulling distractions of the day and just enjoy the connection with your little one. 

Remember: it’s not about doing more, it’s about being there. Even a short moment of connection can ground you both for the rest of the day. 💛

"I’ll admit it: when life feels overwhelming, I grab my phone and start scrolling. The toys are everywhere, the laundry pile is growing, my toddler is mid-meltdown and I just need a moment.

I know it’s not helping me recharge, but in that instant, it feels like the easiest escape. I just need a pause from the constant demands.

Some days, I want to be more intentional, to take breaks that actually replenish me. But for now, I’m giving myself grace. If scrolling helps me get through the chaos, that’s okay. Some days, survival is the win."

– Anonymous Mama

The next time you feel pulled in a hundred directions, pause and ask: What really matters right now? 

Let this be your fresh start, the day you choose to channel your energy into the things that matter most, and let all the distractions fall to the wayside. 🤎