CEO Mama Newsletter: Fourth Edition

Hey ,

Can we talk about something that doesn’t often make its way into our mom group chats?

It’s that feeling we all know too well but rarely say out loud: mom comparison.

It creeps in during the quiet moments — scrolling Instagram after the kids are asleep, watching stories of the mom who always seems one step ahead…

She’s making homemade baby purees while you’re handing over yet another pouch. Her house is spotless while you’re stepping over toys to get to your coffee. Her business is thriving while you’re just trying to get through the day. 🫠 

And even though you know she’s showing the highlight reel, there’s a tiny voice inside whispering, “Why can’t I do that?”

Let’s go deeper, . Let’s really unpack this, because this isn’t just about kale smoothies and sensory play. This is about something much bigger.

The Anatomy of Modern Mom Envy

Let's dissect this feeling we know so intimately but rarely name. 

It's not just the fleeting thought of "I wish I was more like her" that our mothers experienced…

No, today's mom envy is a complex beast that lives in our nervous system, shows up in our business decisions, and whispers to us through carefully curated algorithm feeds.

We feel it in our bodies in so many ways. Not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually, as it often manifests as feeling disconnected from our own intuition and confused about what’s right for our families.

When we constantly see these images of perfection, it's easy to start feeling like we're falling short as moms. We look at the seemingly flawless lives of others and think, "I must be doing something wrong if my experience is so different."

But the truth is, comparison is the thief of joy. When we get stuck in the comparison trap, it robs us of our ability to appreciate our own unique strengths and the beauty of our individual motherhood journeys.

I've been there, feeling like I'm not measuring up, that I'm not doing enough or being enough. It's a slippery slope that can lead to all sorts of negative emotions - guilt, shame, inadequacy, and even resentment towards other moms.

The problem is, we rarely have the full context of someone else's life. We see the carefully curated highlights, but we don't see the behind-the-scenes struggles, the late nights, the moments of doubt and exhaustion. We compare our raw, unfiltered reality to someone else's polished facade, and it's an unfair and unrealistic comparison.

Comparison isn’t a call to be like someone else. It’s an invitation to get curious about your own desires.

When you feel that feeling of envy, stop for a moment and ask yourself:

What exactly is drawing me to this?

What do I admire here?

Does this reflect something I value or something I think I’m “supposed” to value?

Sometimes, envy points to something we deeply desire but haven’t created space for yet. And sometimes, it’s just a nudge to reflect on what really matters to us.

The beauty is, you don’t need to copy anyone else’s life. You just need to listen to what your heart is telling you and find ways to align with it.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that we're being true to ourselves and our individual motherhood philosophies.

What works for one family may not be the right fit for another, and that's okay. In fact, it's what makes this whole motherhood thing so diverse and beautiful.

I've also learned to have a healthy sense of discernment when it comes to social media and the way I consume information about parenting.

When I see those glossy, picture-perfect posts, I try to remember that they're just one small sliver of someone's life. I can appreciate the beauty and inspiration in what others are doing, but I don't feel pressure to replicate it.

Instead, I focus on staying grounded in who I am as a parent. I'm clear on my own priorities, my own strengths and weaknesses, and the unique path that my family is on. And I encourage the moms in my community to do the same.

Whether it's the way we approach discipline, the types of activities we engage in with our kids, or the balance we strike between work and home life, we all have our own special blend of values, experiences, and circumstances that shape our parenting journeys.

And that's exactly as it should be.

When the weight of comparison feels too heavy, try this practice to recenter:

1. Pause. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths. Let your exhale be longer than your inhale.
   

2. Drop into your body. Place one hand on your heart and one on your belly. Feel the rise and fall of your breath, the warmth of your hands.
   

3. Ask yourself:

   • What is something I’m proud of as a mom today?

   • What’s one thing I’m already doing beautifully for my family?

   • What’s one thing I can let go of right now?
     

4. Anchor in gratitude. Open your eyes and name three things you’re grateful for — big or small.

This practice helps quiet the noise and reconnect with what matters most to you.

“Drowning In My Work, Missing Out With My Kids…”

“I broke down in my home office last night after seeing another mom's "How I Built My Empire While Never Missing a Memory" post.

I run a $4M business, live in a dream home, and was just featured in Forbes. From the outside, I’m the mom others tap “save” for on Instagram. But yesterday, my daughter’s teacher sent home her "All About My Mom" project. Under "My favorite thing to do with my mom is:" she wrote, “Watch her work.”

Not bake cookies. Not play at the park. Watch me work.

That hit me hard.

I wasn’t missing moments because I had to work; I was missing them because I was trapped in comparison. Obsessed with being the best mom and the best CEO, I forgot to just be.

Now, the sticky note on my monitor no longer says, "Revenue target: $5M." It says: “Remember to look up.”

-Anonymous Reader Submission

At the end of the day, the only comparison that matters is the one between the life you’re living and the one you truly want — because your motherhood, with all its imperfections, is already enough. ❤️ 

XO,
Natalie

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