Skip navigation!

Mothership

Georgia Took Adriana Smith's Voice & Her Choice

Our many paths to, through, and away from parenting.

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

More from Mothership

Trump Can’t Put A $5,000 Price Tag On Black Women’s Bodies

Britt Middleton

When Black Celebs Get Pregnant, They Don’t Need Your Opinion

How I Survived Postpartum Depression & Heartbreak — And Found Myself Again

Dheena J. Allen

At 37, A Breakup Led Kellee Stewart To Freeze Her Eggs—Now She’s ...

When Kellee Stewart decided to freeze her eggs at age 37, the deck appeared stacked against her. She was freshly out of a seven-year relationship that stal

by Britt Middleton

How A Babymoon Restored My Sanity (And My Relationship Too!)

As a busy mom of two (ages 3 and 8 months) married for five years, I’ve experienced firsthand how easy it is for partnerships to take a backseat to p

by Danielle Cadet

I Code-Switch To Survive, But It’s Exhausting

As a Black woman of South Asian descent, Kamala Harris is constantly navigating multiple audiences—some who view her as “too Black,” others w

by Alena Conley

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

I’m Black, Trans & I Refuse To Defend My Plans for Parenthood

Three years ago, I decided the time had come to prepare for having kids. Like most people who were unknowingly existing on the brink of a global pandemic,

by Kelsey Smoot

These Black TV Moms Make Motherhood Look Easy

Thanks to these Black women, I feel less of an urge to run in the other direction every time my mom asks me when I’ll be having kids of my own.

by Sesali Bowen

My Traumatic First Birthing Experience Led Me To Embrace Honesty ...

Unbothered’s Birth Rights acknowledges inspiring mothers and showcases the beautiful diversity and depth of Black parenthood. As Black birthing peopl

by Enocha Tellus

Having Kids With My Wife Showed Me That Black Queer Moms Need Mor...

Unbothered’s Birth Rights acknowledges inspiring mothers and showcases the beautiful diversity and depth of Black parenthood. As Black birthing peopl

by MyLin Stokes Kennedy

How I Shed My Shame Around Caste

Five years ago, at a playdate with one of my oldest girlfriends and our babies, I asked her about her experience with using a surrogate in India. We’re b

by Meera Estrada

Now That My Kids Are Grown, I’m Learning To Love Being Single

It is 4:54 p.m. on a bleak Wednesday in November. I’m walking back home after hiking to the lake down the road, an audiobook in my ears to protect me fro

by Jennifer McGuire

I Kiss My Parents On The Lips & I’m Great, Thanks!!

Recently, my parents met my partner’s parents for the first time. We had a lovely day filled with delicious food, card games, and chatting, but when

by Olivia Harrison

It’s Time To Abolish #BoyMom & #GirlDad

I’m at an age where scrolling through Instagram involves seeing a whole bunch of babies. To be clear, I definitely do not take issue with that. Kids

by Olivia Harrison

Fertility Diaries

My Partner Is Trans & I’m 40 — Here’s How We Got Preg...

Welcome to Refinery29’s Fertility Diaries, where people chronicle their joyous, painful, and sometimes complicated paths to parenthood. Have your own Fer

It’s Weirdly Sexy When Men Push Strollers With Both Hands

One of the most brilliant inventions of our time are the 7AM Enfant Warmmuffs — cozy, plush gloves that attach right to a baby’s stroller so anyone

by Natalie Gontcharova

Please Stop Saying “Natural” When Discussing Childbirth

Yesterday during my 36-week pregnancy appointment, my doctor started to perform the standard late-pregnancy cervical exam, but she couldn’t finish it bec

by Natalie Gontcharova

Does Emily Ratajkowski Know How To Hold Things? A Very Serious In...

Images of Emily Ratajkowski have long been breaking the internet. Surely I’m not the only one who has headlines like “Emily Ratajkowski Writhes

by Olivia Harrison

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

Señoras, Stop Asking When I’m Having Kids — I’m No...

There’s the saying, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” Well, for me, playing with my Cabbage Patch Kid as a child, I was always the ba

by Natalie Arroyo Ca...

Work & Money
Are You Eligible For The New Child Tax Credit? Here’s What ...
Raising children has been especially difficult during the pandemic, as many parents have had to juggle work with childcare, or take care of their children
by Whizy Kim

High Impact
High Mom: Why I’m (Mostly) Honest with My Daughter About My Weed ...
After she's outed as a smoker to her daughter, Jamilah Lemieux reflects on generations of single Black motherhood and weed.
by Jamilah Lemieux

Wellness
From Atlas To Luna, Here’s How The Pandemic Has Changed Bab...
During my pregnancy, I’ve suffered from more than the occasional bout of insomnia, leading to me scrolling the baby app What to Expect at 2 a.m. more oft
by Natalie Gontcharova

Wellness
Yes, The COVID “Baby Bust” Is Real — Unless You’...
The “baby boom” predicted at the beginning of the pandemic is now widely acknowledged to have been a baby bust. Though there was an assumption that peo
by Natalie Gontcharova

Motherhood
When Will Gender Reveal Parties Stop Happening?
In recent years, gender reveal parties have ended in wildfires, plane crashes, possible animal abuse, and even death. As these celebrations have gotten mor
by Lydia Wang

Dedicated Feature
Lockdown Turned Me Into An Angry, Impatient Mother — Here’s Why I...
Refinery29 is proud to partner with organic vitamin purveyor Garden of Life to amplify the voices of mothers as they navigate the complicated nuances of pa
by Kate Browne

Parenthood
What To Avoid While Breastfeeding, From Botox To Wine To Weed
Motherhood has a lot of rules — and moms aren’t just making them, they’re following them. Particularly when it comes to breast-feeding, we hear more
by Molly Longman

Parenthood
SoulCycle Is The Subject Of A Pregnancy Discrimination Suit
SoulCycle is being sued by a former employee for pregnancy discrimination, according to a complaint obtained by Refinery29 on Tuesday. The plaintiff is Jor
by Molly Longman

Parenthood
These Nursing Pillows Will Save You From Breastfeeding Back Pain
by Molly Longman

Work & Money
Why You’re Likely To Stick To The Family & Career Plans You...
The following excerpt is from The Rocket Years: How Your Twenties Launch The Rest of Your Life by Elizabeth Segran, published by Harper Collins. Copyright
by Elizabeth Segran

Motherhood
The Career Advice I Wish I Got Before Having A Baby
I put off trying to have a baby until I felt my career was in just the right place for me to take a step back for a year [Editor’s note: Canada’
by Carley Fortune

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT