On May 8th many countries around the world celebrate Mother’s Day
(though I personally think that this should be the case every day 
). The perfect time to honour all the power moms of the world; because
being a mom is a fulltime job! And maybe you’re one of these power moms, you
got this! Or maybe you’re thinking about your own mom or your bonus mom; this
is the day that she deserves to shine and be spoilt rotten! In this blog I put
some of our TopVintage ladies in the spotlight who are all power moms with
their own story about motherhood to share. Ready to find out more? 
New mom
Chantal, Graphic
Designer, with her son Odin:How do you experience motherhood and what advice would you give to other new or expectant mothers?
‘’I could never have imagined life with a child and all the feelings and emotions that it involves. A life in which you feel more responsible than ever before and more than anyone else for this new human that you yourself brought into this world. So tiny and pure. I really could never have imagined that your heart sometimes just seems to burst with the love you feel for your child. A feeling that can be overwhelming at times: so beautiful but also so intense. There is never just a part of you that is a mother, you are always 100% a mom. Words cannot describe the love a mother has for her child, it’s something that is deep inside you. But it’s the best title and task I could have wished for! So my advice would be: don’t doubt yourself, it’s okay to have all those feelings and emotions and most of all be proud of yourself!’’ ❤
What challenges do you experience as a mother with a baby?
‘’My biggest challenge is combining the different ‘roles’ that I now
have. Being a mom, being a wife, being a friend. Doing my job and being a mom,
while also finding time for a social life and my love life. But also scheduling
enough me-time. Life sometimes seems to move at breakneck speed. That’s why I
try to take in all the milestones, great and small, and to celebrate life!’’
And what do you enjoy most?
‘’Last year I was still pregnant and this year marks my first Mother’s
Day with Odin, such a special occasion! I didn’t know just one look at my son
Odin would make my heart burst with love. Unconditional, like I never felt
before, love. When I see that wonderful smile and that bright little face, I
have everything I need. A birth is the only blind date where you are sure to
meet the love of your life.''
Chantal is wearing this look here.
Two moms
Rebecca, Fashion Editor, and her girlfriend Stephanie:
Do you notice a difference now that your children are being raised by
two moms?
“From the very start of our relationship we made a conscious decision
that as far as parenting is concerned, Stephanie would be more in the background
because the kids of course already have a mom and dad. I do regularly discuss
parenting issues with my ex and we set rules that we try to stick to in both
households. Of course, if there is a real problem, Stephanie will speak up and
she will mediate where necessary. Luckily that doesn’t happen often (anymore)
because I have two very sweet kids!”
How do your children handle this?
''Just after the divorce, it was quite a challenge. Especially since my
son Tygo, who is 13 now, was just entering puberty at the time. Although he
struggled more with the divorce in general than with the fact that his mother
was suddenly in a relationship with a woman. He still finds it difficult when
we show affection in public, I can tell... but I think that is the case for
every child at that age. My daughter Izzy, now 9, has never really been surprised and especially
likes the fact that women are now in the majority in our house, ha ha!''
What challenges do you experience as a mother?
''What challenges don’t I experience… ha ha! To me every age has its
pros and cons. The time when they were a little baby was very special, but also
very hard because I tried too hard to do everything right, I wanted to do
everything perfectly. According to parenting books, babies at a certain age
take a 2.5 hours afternoon nap, but my baby woke up after just 1 hour! Then I
would panic because that wasn’t how it was ‘supposed to be’. I had the same
when it came to feeding the baby; the baby drinks too much, doesn’t drink
enough, etc.… so my tip is to not blindly follow or rely on what it says in the
books, but enjoy this special time (very cliché but time really does fly). And
be sure to trust your own (maternal) instincts… you have these instincts for a
reason! Now the oldest one is going through puberty and believe me; that is a
whole new ballgame! Constantly reminding him (or ‘nagging’ him according to my
son) that schoolwork is more important than gaming, him always talking back to
me, a bedroom that you don’t really want to enter without a face mask and
gloves, a floor that doubles as a laundry basket and raging hormones! But at
the same time it’s also special to see him transform into a funny and social,
independent young man who is already a head taller than I am!”
And what do you enjoy most?
''Then I come straight back to those changes; that’s something I enjoy
so much! How they keep changing, not just their looks and appearance of course but
also their personality and character. How quickly they learn and pick up
things, and how experiences and events will shape them in the future. And how
wonderful is it that you, as a parent/carer, have such an important
contribution to make! But no matter how fast they grow up, they still need me! To
me it’s important that I can offer them a safe haven, both now and in the
future. But what I enjoy most is a big kiss or hug, which I still get
regularly… even from my eldest. Unconditional love!''
Rebecca is wearing this look here.
Twin mom
Petra, shopmanager TopVintage Store, with her son and daughter:
How have you experienced motherhood over the years?
''Becoming a mother is the most special moment in your life… Nothing can
compete! And if you then give birth to two healthy babies in one go, it’s the
biggest blessing ever. Motherhood is nothing but pure love, giving love and
receiving even more love, in my case a double portion of everything. Watching
your children grow up over the years is just wonderful, every age has its
charm. But it was quite tough in the early years. My twins were my first children,
so everything was new and unfortunately, they didn’t come with a manual. But
now they are almost grown-up and I don’t want to think about them leaving home
just yet. I’m very proud of the special individuals they have become, our
wonderful, sweet and gorgeous son and daughter.”
What has been most memorable about raising your twins?
''I think that what has been most memorable to me, has been the special
bond that Mina and Enzo have shared since day 1, a bond that they had built
during those 9 months together. A bond that is evident in so many ways; how
they know what the other is feeling or thinking, how they respond to each
other, how they were babbling away in the playpen and all of the antics they
pulled while always covering for each other. Since the onset of puberty they’ve
started going their own separate ways but that invisible connection is still
there.”
Are there things you would have liked to have done differently?
''Not at all, I would do the exact same things all over again. Raising
the kids with my partner, who really had to do his share of mothering in those
early years (giving them bottles and changing tons of diapers), was and still
is wonderful. In our case it was a team effort straight from the start, because
we simply needed two pairs of hands and it has stayed that way. Twins really
are the best thing that can happen to anyone!'' 
Petra is wearing this look here.
Mommy to be
Anne, Content Marketeer and 26 weeks pregnant with a girl
How are you preparing for impending motherhood and do you already feel a
bond with your baby?
''I know that so much of my life will change with having a baby, so I
talk a lot about it all with the young moms at TopVintage and in my group of
friends as well as with my own mom. That really helps! I’m also reading the
book ‘How about mom’ full of stories that no one tells you and practical tips
that are truly helpful: a top reading tip for all moms-to-be! I also love
decorating the baby room and I’m already buying way too many clothes for my
little girl! I don’t feel a real bond just yet, but I’m starting to feel the
baby more and more, even though it’s still feels unreal that there is a tiny
human growing in my belly. That’s why those ultrasounds are so special. But the
real bond will start to form as soon as our little girl is born.
How is your relationship with your own mother and how are you
experiencing this bond during your pregnancy?
"I have a very good relationship with my mom and it’s grown even stronger
over the course of my pregnancy. It really feels extra special now and it has
made me more curious about her delivery and postpartum period, subjects that we
have never really discussed before. She has also kept a lot of the clothes and
toys from when I was little, which can be used again now. And the two of us are
also going shopping for the baby soon and I’m really looking forward to that! 
''
What are your pregnancy struggles?
''A few years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS so I didn’t expect to get
pregnant this soon or maybe even get pregnant at all; because my doctor and gynaecologist
have always told me that it would be difficult for me to conceive. That’s why
I’m so very grateful that I am pregnant now, but it also means that sometimes
it’s hard for me to comprehend that it really is true. It’s often thought that
moms-to-be are on that famous pink cloud 24/7, which isn’t a very realistic
image nor is it true for me. Because honestly, there is so much going on in
your body, so many changes, and those hormones definitely don’t make things
easier. Especially the first trimester was quite an adjustment, I hardly had any
energy and I was feeling nauseous all the time: but now I’m back to being able
to do all kinds of things again, like exercise. I’m now following a Power Mom
programme: which I can really recommend as a great way of keeping fit during
but also post-pregnancy!”
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