Motherhood Questions [An Interview with Suzi]

What questions about motherhood do you hear on a regular basis? Share it with us on the comment section below. We’d love to know!

Just the other day, I got to talk to one of my best friends from across the country.

He mentioned about how it was so hard to maintain a household, so he was really amazed at how someone like me with two toddlers under 3 could still write, manage a business, work full-time in a hospital setting, and still function on my regular days.

I just chuckled and told him, “I guess everything they say about mothers is true! They most definitely can handle everything no matter what!”

That statement from him may be nothing special as every mother encounters it on a daily basis, but that very statement sparked a desire in me.

A desire to bravely ask one of the most, if not the most, encouraging mom bloggers I know out there for an interview.

“Being a mother means loving your child. It’s learning your child’s love language and understanding how they need to be loved.“

~ Suzi Whitford

Motherhood Questions with Suzi

The interview consists of 11 questions about motherhood and everything related to it.

Some are a little controversial, some ordinary, but the main purpose of the interview is to inspire all moms to speak their minds.

So right before Thanksgiving Day, I emailed her. I took the chance and didn’t overthink it at all. I went ahead and hit the send button never really believing that she would answer right back.

Before this interview, I emailed her once about some page speed advice and she was so quick to respond as well. Dumbfounded by the fact that even her husband was truly accommodating despite it all!

Are you intrigued yet? Let me introduce you to my favorite mom blogger. I have been following her since I started my blogging journey.

She used to be an Industrial Engineer working for Fortune 100 companies.

She is a mother to two beautiful girls and a handsome baby boy, a wife to a funny (at least that was how he appeared to be when he sent me that video about page speed two weeks ago) and wonderful man, and she is the woman behind the very successful blog Start a Mom Blog.

Without further ado, help me welcome Suzi Whitford!

Welcome Suzi!

Thank you for agreeing to do this interview. I know it is Thanksgiving Week and it is super busy in the Whitford household, but you still graciously made time for me and my readers.

For that, I am truly grateful and extremely honored.

Suzi gamely answered these most asked motherhood questions though some are a little controversial.

Here’s the interview. Enjoy!

Please define motherhood in your own words.

Being a mother means loving your child. It’s learning your child’s love language and understanding how they need to be loved.

[There is no truer statement than that! Our children need to feel loved and learning their love language will make communicating with them so much easier.]

What advice can you give our mommy readers?

Motherhood is hard. It is very rewarding. But it is also very difficult to sacrifice yourself daily to love another. Don’t be discouraged when you find it hard to be a mom. We all go through it.

Love your child and you’re being the best mom.

[Yes, I so agree to this. Motherhood is a beautiful thing. It may be hard at times, but it is so gratifying.]

What was the best advice on motherhood have you ever received?

The time passes quickly – soon your little ones won’t need you that much anymore.

[This hits home. As a mother who still works full-time and takes her kids to daycare regularly, I am speechless.]

What has been your greatest fear while pregnant?

Losing my baby. My first birth was also very scary and ended up in a c-section.

[Tell me I am copying you, but I have to tell you that we have the very same fear. My first born baby boy was through C-Section as well. I was in labor for 22 hours and he was already in distress. His heart was beating really fast, so my baby doctor decided to perform a C-Section.]

Do you spank your children?

I won’t lie, sometimes I really want to. But I know it’s just my own anger and I’m getting out of control of my own emotions. I may have slipped from time to time, but I don’t like it and it’s not effective.

So when emotions escalate, I try to find a minute to leave the room, take a few deep breaths and come back as a calm but firm mom in control of my emotions.

[I applaud you, Suzi. Honestly, raising my children is the most difficult thing I have ever done in my entire life. I lose my cool at times, resulting in a light spank on my little boy’s behind.]

Do you believe in time-outs?

I believe in mommy and child time-outs. We all need a moment to cool down and recollect. It’s not the mean “Go to your room missie!” It’s taking her to her room, letting her know I love her, and she can come out when she feels better. 99% of the time, she just needs a minute to think and comes out happy again.

[I have never tried this approach. Maybe someday.]

Related article about baby registry: Your Practical Baby Registry [Printable Checklist]

What is your most used item from the baby registry?

Ergo carrier

[Mine was the Aveeno Calming Comfort Bath. My kids still use the same body wash up to this day. It helps them calm down in time for bed, so it is part of our bedtime routine. I love the smell of it too.]

What do you think is the least useful item?

Baby wipe warmers

[Truth be told, I used this on my first baby’s first months a lot. He was born during the winter season and I was still the novice mommy that I was then. Ha!]

What is your favorite go-to dinner recipe when you are short on time?

Pizza. I love pizza, and burgers, and Chick fil A, and Nutella, and coffee. I think I’m really hungry right now.

[Pizza for the win! We love pizza in the Mortellaro household. I also make this quick and easy spaghetti recipe that my kids love.]

Most of us (if not all) know that you are a mom and an established blogger. If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

I would start blogging sooner. It’s tricky to find time to blog as a mom of three, so I do it in the margins and with a lot of help from my husband.

[I never really thought that I would even start blogging. I just had this idea of blogging over 3 years ago and I still couldn’t believe that I was able to act upon it.]

Related article: The Best Gift Ideas for New Moms

I know that this is a little politically controversial, but I want to ask it anyway. You can choose not to answer though. What is your take on our country’s “maternity leave law”?

Oh, I thought the spanking question was controversial. Hopefully, I don’t get too many mean comments below. Just being honest here.

Regarding the maternity leave law, I received 3 months when I was in corporate. That’s very short. Your baby is still so tiny at 3 months old. I wish it was longer. Moms need at least a year to adjust to motherhood.

Honestly, that is why I love blogging so much for moms. You’re able to stay at home with your kids and still make an income. It takes time and a lot of work, but golly, it’s better than going to a corporate job with limited income and strict hours.

[Well, who is going to disagree with that? Not me! Three months is really short!]

Last Thoughts on my Interview with Suzi about Motherhood

As you can see, there is nothing impossible if you just ask! Suzi was so gracious about answering all these questions about motherhood.

Quite honestly, she could have denied my request. I am so glad that women like her exist!

Help me thank her! Let’s check her out at Start A Mom Blog and sign up for her weekly correspondence. You won’t regret it!

She shares time management and productivity tips with busy moms like us and she has in-depth courses about starting a successful mom blog if you ever plan to start one.

Disclaimer: Suzi Whitford did not pay me to promote her. I am doing it by choice as she has been one tremendous help.

It is such an honor, Suzi. Again, thank you for lending us a moment of your precious time. I hope this won’t be the last.

Love,

Motherhood Questions Gamely Answered by Suzi Whitford

What do you think? Would you like to answer the questions too? Do so in the comment section!