Category Archives: Motherhood

Unsolicited Advice

It started during pregnancy and intensified as the arrival date of our son got closer.

I heard comments from family to strangers. It was like people couldn’t help themselves. I wish I would’ve kept a list of the things people told me and shared without me asking or even seeming interested.

At best, when people shared their opinions, I learned some neat facts but most of the time I sighed internally because the advice wasn’t anything I needed at the time which is why I wasn’t asking for it.

It was exhausting, during a time when I was already exhausted. I don’t know who was worse: the men, or the women. 🤦🏾‍♀️

Sometimes even now I will distance myself from discussing certain things going on in my life because I feel capable of handling the situation and do not want unsolicited advice especially when the advice is coming from someone who I have witnessed handle similar life decisions poorly.

I looked up unsolicited advice to capture some opinions from others on the subject. It helped me realize, I’m not the only target. So, I’m going to leave these links here in case you want to forward them to a well meaning person who won’t get out of your business. 😆😑😬🙃

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/insight-is-2020/201801/why-people-give-unsolicited-advice-though-no-one-listens

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2025/11/17/grandparents-parents-tension/

https://www.verywellmind.com/whats-behind-different-types-of-unsolicited-advice-3144961

https://psychcentral.com/blog/imperfect/2020/02/its-time-to-stop-giving-unsolicited-advice

Nova.Skye ✨

Understanding Emotional Shifts as a New Parent

My son just smacked his head into the side of his crib while sleeping. I heard it on the monitor.

I took a deep sigh because I knew he was going to cry. I braced myself for it. Prepared to grab my robe and rock him back to sleep.

I watched in shock as he shook it off, got himself stable, and lay back down to sleep.

I realize now I was tense in that moment because I desperately wanted to lie down. I was relieved that he was okay and that he was going back to sleep. But that tension was still in me.

It made me consider how many times a day I am tensing up. No wonder my body feels wrecked!

This snapshot is just one small moment when I was tense. How many times am I tensing up? How can you release this tension? What impacts does this have on my body?

So many questions!

At this phase of my motherhood journey, I’m leaning into understanding myself more holistically.

Motherhood has forced me to shift many of my priorities and to accept help from my community. I’ve held more space for change and vulnerability than intended.

In other words, I, the introverted, responsible, independent person, have felt the weight of being a first-time parent.

It’s scary, fun, terrifying, adventurous, curious, wild, and fantastic. It’s a dream come true. It’s a lot of different emotions, all while still trying to become yourself again or at least figure out who you are now that your entire life has shifted.

But that’s just me. That’s what I’m feeling right now. Some can relate, and others may have a completely different feeling.

And there’s space for all of it.

✨ Nova Skye ✨