Let’s be honest, motherhood can sometimes feel like an endless loop of laundry, dishes, cooking, grocery shopping, school projects, diaper changing, dealing with tantrum-throwing drama, and a host of other things.
And in the midst of this loop, it’s easy for mothers to lose themselves and their sense of purpose and identity.
So we chatted with four inspiring women – a mom of preteens, a mom of toddlers, a new mom, and a pregnant mom – who are finding a deeper purpose in motherhood, beyond just trying to survive one more day.
Get ready to see the heartwarming, challenging and yet purposeful journey of motherhood through the eyes of these millennial moms.
Dr Adeyinka Oresanya – Mr Tijesunimi Oresanya’s Wife, Software Engineer, Technical Writer, Author and Mom of Nine-year Old Twin Boys
Host: What is one thing we wouldn’t know about motherhood just from looking at your life?
Dr Adeyinka: Motherhood is a complex and multifaceted experience; a roller-coaster of emotions, swinging from the quiet joy of tender moments to the exhaustion from sleepless nights when your child is sick.
There’s the internal tug-of-war between personal ambitions and the ever-present needs of your children. The constant mental juggling of managing the household is also present. Yet, amidst these challenges, I find the unexplainable joy that only a mother truly understands.
The unconditional love and adoration you receive from your little ones is a unique and powerful force that makes it all worthwhile, even when the road gets tough.
Host: Thank you for keeping things 100% real. What are some things that have helped you live a full life even in the midst of the demands of motherhood?
Dr Adeyinka: Understanding what I ought to do per time through each phase of my motherhood journey has helped me live a full life. I am now less anxious about having it all as a woman. In fact, I am now very comfortable with not having “everything“ at the same time.
Understanding what I ought to do per time through each phase of my motherhood journey has helped me live a full life.
Dr Adeyinka Oresanya
There were some things I couldn’t do when my children were toddlers that I get to do now. I’m grateful I took the time to be fully present to nurture them back then because that time is irreplaceable.
I plan to raise excellent men by the grace of God. Now that they are preteens, I have some goals on hold so that I can be fully present to train and mentor them. I am absolutely confident I will be able to achieve these personal goals when they become older teenagers.
This self-awareness has helped me find a deep sense of fulfillment in passionately pursuing excellence in the things I can do right now.
Host: Hmm! So insightful. What’s your one solid piece of advice for moms of preteens?
Dr Adeyinka: Never let go of God’s hand in this motherhood journey; He is an ever-present help.
Helen Oluwafemi – Mr Toyosi Oluwafemi’s Wife, Seasoned Baker, Event Planner, Mom of two-year-old twin boys.
Host: By first glancing at you, what is one thing we wouldn’t know about motherhood?
Helen: I’d say that motherhood takes a lot of patience and sacrifice. Not having enough of your beauty sleep is another level of sacrifice as a mother. I am still in the stage of sleepless nights. As a mother, you sometimes have to sacrifice your wants and needs for your children.
Talking about patience, sometime last year, I stepped out and came back to find out that our boys had destroyed our television and they were both pointing their fingers at each other. I think that was the day I exercised my highest level of patience.
Talking about patience, sometime last year, I stepped out and came back to find out that our boys had destroyed our television and they were both pointing their fingers at each other. I think that was the day I exercised my highest level of patience.
Helen Oluwafemi
From the moment I gave birth to them, I have exercised lots of patience in not lashing out at them when things weren’t going well. It takes a lot of patience and sacrifice.
Host: Oh my! Destroyed the television! I cannot imagine how livid you would’ve been.
Helen: I was just speechless.
Host: Knowing how active you are in the church and how well you handle your business, how have you been able to balance your children’s needs with your own personal growth?
Helen: Growing up, I saw my mom being active in the church despite having six children. No matter how busy she was, she would always come through for her children and I think I learnt that from her.
I am able to manage my time for the different things that I do. My customers know that no matter how much anyone is willing to pay me, I turn it down if it clashes with my church time.
When I am also consulting with a customer for the first time, I let them understand that I am a mother of two handsome boys. I would not want them to feel like they are being left out because their mother needs to make money.
Without God, I would not be where I am. So, I don’t ever leave God out of my life.
Host: How do you guide your children’s behavior and instill godly values in them even as toddlers?
I’ve learnt that children learn from what they see first before what they’re told. So we model godly values to them.
Every morning, during our morning devotions, we wake them up to participate. Sycamore Junior Church has also helped with making that easy.
When they do something wrong, either at home or outside, I try my best to ensure they understand it is wrong and get them to apologise.
Host: We’re all grateful for our Junior Church. How has belonging to a Jesus community helped you find purpose and meaning in motherhood?
Helen: Being in Sycamore Church and seeing so many amazing mothers has helped me understand that I’m not doing motherhood wrong. I am trying my best.
Being in a community where I see mothers doing well in their various professions has helped me get better career-wise and motherhood-wise.
Dr. Adeyinka Oresanya is a big inspiration to me. She makes me believe that I can be a mother and thrive as a career woman. Just being in church has helped me understand that I can do life with Jesus, have a great family, and thrive financially too.
Being in a community where I see mothers doing well in their various professions has helped me get better career-wise and motherhood-wise.
Helen Oluwafemi
Host: It’s so beautiful to know that there are mothers in the church who inspire other mothers to do more. What’s your one solid piece of advice for moms in your current season?
Helen: Do what you can, but don’t leave God out of it. Let God be at the center of your motherhood journey.
IyanuOluwa Kizo – Content Creator, Mr Daniels Kizo’s Wife, New Mom of One
Host: What is one thing we wouldn’t know about motherhood based on just looking at your life?
IyanuOluwa: Motherhood will challenge your convictions about God’s standard for marriages and parenting.
It’s a rollercoaster of handling different things: Having another human being depend on you, home management, growing as a person, and volunteering in God’s house.
Motherhood pushes you to grow into a productive and excellent person despite the new additions to your plate.
Host: This is showing me that a lot of growth comes with motherhood. So good. What has surprised you most about the early days of motherhood?
IyanuOluwa: How easy it would have been to lose myself. I had the baby blues after giving birth and struggled a lot with depression. I was stressed and struggled to be joyful. Thankfully, my God-structures (church, friends, and family) helped me not to lose myself.
I also wasn’t prepared to enjoy the company of my daughter. Getting to gist with her (even though she doesn’t understand), and laugh with her, is a real highlight for me. It’s not all challenges, it’s also fun.
Host: What and who has helped you find peace, joy, and purpose in the midst of these challenges?
IyanuOluwa: Sincerely, church has been an anchor for me! Going to church is more than attending a gathering, it is me holding on for dear life. Most times, I’m tired and need to be reminded why what I’m doing is important.
Every Sunday, when I come to church, I’m literally holding on to God’s garment and saying, “Lord, you just have to help me navigate this new season. I’ll get lost if you don’t guide me.”
Also, my quiet time keeps me rooted and drains all the worries and troubles out of me. During those quiet moments, I am reminded that mothering is not all that there is to my life.
Lastly, I’m very thankful for my handful of friends. They remind me that I’m not alone. They help me feel seen, praise me in areas I am doing well, and point me back to God.
Host: I like how you still ensure you have your quiet moments. That’s so powerful. What’s your one solid piece of advice for new moms like you?
IyanuOluwa: Dear new mom, take a deep breath and breathe again. You’re doing well and God’s hand is upon you for this.
Watch How to Be An ExtraOrdinary Mom
Dear new mom, take a deep breath and breathe again. You’re doing well and God’s hand is upon you for this.
IyanuOluwa Kizo
Rhema Gideon-Taiwo – Mr Gideon Taiwo’s Wife, Psychologist, Social worker, Family Therapist, Pregnant Mom
Host: What was your first reaction when you realised you were pregnant?
Rhema: My first words were “Thank you, Jesus”. I was so happy that I placed the result in front of me to check over and over again. A part of me felt like, “What a privilege to partner with God for another generation”. Another part of me felt like, “God of provision, help us in this Nigerian economy”. But my husband’s reaction gave me goosebumps. He was quiet for a while and with a teary voice, he said, “Thank you Jesus”.
Host: I can feel the weight of that moment right now. And God will definitely provide for you and yours. How would you say that the Christian community has impacted you the most during this season of life?
Rhema: Having the Sycamore family as a strong support system is one of the numerous things I am so grateful for. I didn’t have a lot of people around to run to during this period, especially when craving for some things but I am grateful for my church community, close family friends, and my husband for always being present.
Host: This is really sweet. We are all grateful for our church family and how they show up. What is one solid piece of advice for an expecting mom?
Rhema: I know pregnancy comes with so many episodes of drama, worries and other things. But make sure that your gaze is on Jesus even in the midst of things you are unsure about. A simple “Jesus, help me” can save a lot of worries.
I know pregnancy comes with so many episodes of drama, worries and other things. But make sure that your gaze is on Jesus even in the midst of things you are unsure about.
Rhema Gideon-Taiwo
We have come to the end of our conversation. We hope this helps you see that even in the demands of motherhood, living a meaningful and purposeful Jesus-centered life is possible.
Do you know a mom who will find this helpful? Share with her and with other moms in your community!
Written by Lase Soneye and Doyin Ajala
These volunteers serve with the Content Team at Sycamore Church
(Blogposts are creative expressions generously provided for Sycamore Church. The ideas and thoughts do not necessarily represent the position of Sycamore Church)
