Motherhood is a 24/7 job, and it’s totally normal to feel like your identity is defined around this one very important role. Our writers at Charleston Moms are a diverse group of women in all stages of motherhood. Though we are all bonded as moms, we also each have unique talents, skills, and experiences that make us who we are. Our new series, “I’m A Mom, and…” is going to introduce Charleston to our team and we hope you have fun getting to know us!
Meet Alexandra
Remember that dreaded prompt in every class each new semester in college? “Let’s get to know each other. Tell us your name and a little bit about you.” I would rather have died than introduce myself to 30+ strangers, both because public speaking was (and is) one of my biggest fears but also because in college I had no idea who I was yet.
It definitely didn’t help that 80% of my classes were filled with 18- to 21-year-old boys, majoring in Justice Administration like myself, which meant they were going to be cops or go on to law school.
At 18/19, what could I say? I’m your basic UGG-wearing, shopping-loving, boyfriend-obsessed, college girl from Kentucky who would rather be anywhere but here? I’ve never done anything extraordinary so please stop asking me questions.
Fast forward twelve years. Now I’m a mom and I’m my biggest fan. This question doesn’t scare me anymore. Depending on the audience, I can reel off my resume or tell you about my hobbies. I actually like meeting new people (in small, intimate settings) and discovering what we have in common.
I’m a mom and I’m me, too.
I’m a mom and a Charleston mom.
I’m a mom and a Folly girl.
I’m a mom and a boy mom.
I’m a mom and my children are my reason for living.
I’m a mom and an always on the go mom.
I’m a mom and I work outside my home.
I’m a mom and I work inside my home.
I’m a mom and a writer.
I’m a mom and I have anxiety.
I’m a mom and I’m sober.
I’m a mom and I do it all.
I’m a mom and I have big dreams.
I’m a mom and I’m still finding myself.
I’m a mom and I’m still figuring out who I want to be.
My first visit to Charleston was in the summer of ’93. Throughout my childhood, Folly Beach was my second home. I spent the summer before college in Mt. Pleasant. After college, I lived in West Ashley and James Island for ten years with my husband, and this past summer we moved to Summerville. My two boys are eight and almost five and they are as opposite as night and day. One is his father made over and one is my “mini-me”. My son who is most similar to myself thinks I am so embarrassing and wants nothing to do with me, naturally.
I like to stay busy; I plan the fun (much to my introverted and homebody husband’s disdain). I stay busy because I want to accomplish it all. I want to experience it all. I want to live and not waste any time. I am organized, determined, and Type-A. I am an INFJ. I am always planning. (I am also SO tired.)
I work as a freelance paralegal for a legal software company. I write constantly. I run the local social media blog Things To Do in Charleston. I am a volunteer with Postpartum Support of Charleston after first discovering them when I suffered from debilitating postpartum depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts for the first year of my youngest child’s life. I am now learning how to deal with my anxiety in healthy ways.
My sister thinks I am funny. I am awkward and quiet and loud sometimes, too. I have my eyes closed in photos 90% of the time. I am a Millennial. I have the best family. One day I am going to write a book and foster a child and do things that make my children proud of me when I am gone. I am remembering who I am and deciding who I will be while being in this new season of motherhood. I’m a mom and I’m me, too.
