Issue #1: Can we be mom friends?

a new space to gab all things motherhood

Hellooo, mamas (and the expecting, trying, considering, or curious)!

Welcome to the very first issue of Mother, etc. Eeeep! I don’t even know how many times I’ve told my friends, “I want to create a more intimate newsletter…” Honestly, I’ve been a broken record about it. So if you’re reading this (you know who you are), yay, I finally did it! I’m SO excited to create this space with you.

Back when I was pregnant, I almost launched a newsletter just like this—a place to spill my thoughts about pregnancy, this new life, and all the little things swirling around in my soon-to-be mom brain. But tbh.. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. A wise friend once told me, “Don’t make any major commitments while you’re pregnant—your entire brain changes.” And yup, she was so right. I’m glad I waited, because *now* the timing feels just right.

Today, I’m 27 weeks into motherhood, and I’m learning something new every single day. I am so in love with being Keira’s mom. It’s a role I feel so proud of—one that’s both grounding and expansive. The ironic thing is, for so long, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted the role of “mother.” (Let me know if you want to chat more about that—fear of childbirth, losing yourself, postpartum…you know, just super lighthearted topics 😅)

Yet, here I am now, completely enamored with this beautiful role. It’s been the most exhilarating, joyful experience, and yes, it has its challenging seasons (right now sleep is gnarly 😵)... and many of which I still have yet to discover. But I’m so grateful to be here. And let’s be real, women are freaking incredible.

Through chatting with friends, I’ve realized there are parts of my journey worth sharing—moments, reflections, routines, and the messy middle. Honestly, I think we all have a journey worth sharing. That’s what makes spaces like this so special. And yes, I’ll also share all of my favorite baby products that I’ve obsessively researched and curated—I’m a proud tastemaker okay!!

I’m excited to not only connect with you here but also to look back on these writings one day—to see the growth, the shifts, and the moments that shaped me.

Since becoming a mama, it feels like I’m finally getting to know the woman I was always meant to be. And the thing is, we’re all endlessly evolving and becoming. That’s what Mother, etc. is all about—a name that reflects the fact that we aren’t “just” mothers. We’re creators (hellooo growing A WHOLE HUMAN from scratch), researchers, and pros at doing just about anything one-handed (matcha-making included 🍵). We’re shaping the next generation by showing them what it means to take care of ourselves and not put ourselves last.

Motherhood has made me want to reflect, share, and connect in ways I never imagined. If I’ve learned anything so far, it’s this: moms need each other. Whether you’re navigating sleepless nights, figuring out work-life “balance” with a baby on your hip, or scrolling parenting subreddits at 3 a.m. during a night feed, we’re all in this together.

I hope this space feels like a cozy group chat with your mom friends. It’s where I’ll share my real-time thoughts, mom brain moments, and the tools & products that are adding value or making life simpler.

So here goes… sharing my in-real-time journey through motherhood, not quite knowing what’s ahead, but so excited to bring you along.

What you can expect

As a paid subscriber, you’ll get:

• 💌 Weekly Issues (every Thursday):
  Personal essays, motherhood lessons I’m learning, and detailed reviews (I’ve been asked more times than I can count which baby carrier I recommend—girl, do I have thoughts to share). I’ll be spilling my honest thoughts, mom brain moments, and whatever’s helping me navigate this season with a bit more flow.

• 🍵 Monthly Roundups (First Tuesday):
  Curated baby finds, mom tools, and all the things I’ve obsessively researched—because I can’t help myself. I like pretty things, but they must be functional. Think worthwhile items that don’t add to the clutter but make life easier and a little more beautiful.

• 📚 Full Access to the Archive:
  Missed an issue? You’ll get full access to every post I’ve ever published here—so even if you’re joining later, you won’t miss a thing.

• 🎉 Bonus Content:
  Every now and then, I’ll sprinkle in a little something extra—what fun would it be if I told you everything up front? 🤫

• ✨ Ad-Free Space:
  This space will be free of ads. While I only work with brands I genuinely love and align with, I know we all have ad fatigue (me included). Occasionally, I may link to my Amazon page or LTK storefront if it’s the simplest way to share a curated list or collection. If something I chat about was ever gifted, I’ll always add a disclaimer—because I take your trust very seriously and have throughout the decade I’ve been oversharing online.

Looking for free content?

I’ve been creating free content on the internet for over a decade, and I’ll continue to do so across my other platforms:

• YouTube: Watch my videos on intentional living, motherhood, and more.

• Instagram: Follow along with my daily life and reels.

• Slow Brew Sunday: Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter with over 80,000 subscribers. It’s not motherhood-specific, but it’s where I share reflections on mindfulness, intentional living, and creating a life that feels good.

Slow Brew Sunday will always remain free, but for those of you choosing to support my work here at Mother, etc., thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love seeing women get paid for their work, their research, and the time they pour into creating spaces like this one. Your support means the world to me, and I can’t wait to share my heart with these letters and make it worth your while.

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You Might Also Enjoy:

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🫶🏼 read more slow & thoughtful reflections here

☁️ browse my favorite cozy tools & resources here

💌 come say hi in our mom group chat

🌸 follow my day-to-day life @julesacree on Insta & YouTube