Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Sherman.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started this blog/Instagram as an outlet for myself after having my son. I realized quickly that motherhood was not all rainbows and butterflies like so many bloggers/influencers portray on their Instagram. I honestly felt like I was failing for such a long time.
I would look around my house and see a total mess after scrolling through Instagram and seeing all these moms having it all together: their outfits, their hair, their makeup, their home, and their perfectly dressed babies. Um, where was the spit-up? Where were the milk stains on their shirts from their breasts leaking all over the place? And where were the captions that said, “This is hard. This is REALLY FREAKING hard?” I honestly couldn’t find many of them. After talking to two of my friends who both had babies the same month I did and realizing they felt the same way I did, I knew it was time for me to start this blog to show the REAL side of motherhood.
The reality of it is this: it’s not perfect, no mold fits every household, and things get messy–really messy. It’s nice to be able to scroll through stories or read blog posts from someone who isn’t sugar-coating anything. If I can make one mom feel less alone, then I already accomplished what I wanted to make of this.
Not only do I hope to make new moms, veteran moms, moms-to-be, and even dog moms laugh a little, but I hope to inform them of helpful products that I’ve discovered along the way. There are so many different versions of the same product on the market that being able to outline the pros and cons of some to save another mom a little time can be helpful in itself.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Is anything in life – or better yet, motherhood – a smooth ride?? One of the main struggles I have with maintaining my brand is finding the time to be active on social media while still being present with my son. Keeping up with the messages and being on my phone so much during the day is definitely tough.
I also don’t think I mentioned that I am a Physician Assistant, too. So, between balancing all the things I have to do for my blog and my son on top of also working part-time has definitely been a new challenge for me. I am definitely learning that time management is absolutely essential in making this work.
But I have had the most amazing support system, not only with just my family and friends but my followers. Whenever I get a message saying that one of my posts have helped another mom in some way, it reminds me of why I started it and why I will continue to do it!
Please tell us about Mommy Realist.
I own and manage a blog called Mommy Realist and manage a related Instagram page (@mommy.realist). I specialize in translating my journey as a new mom in the most honest way I can. I aim to support all the moms out there – new moms, veteran moms, aspiring moms, and even dog moms. I’m most proud of the effect I’ve been able to have on some of my followers. When I get messages telling me that other moms have gone through what I’m going through, it makes my day. When I hear them tell me how good it made them feel to know that someone else felt what they were feeling, it really makes it all worth it for me. I believe what sets me apart is the fact that I’m not sugar-coating my experience. I’m ruthlessly, painfully, and sometimes embarrassingly honest – and I’ll never change that.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I definitely have to thank my friend Lauren who literally texted me one day with my current logo and said, “here, do it.” She not only created my logo for me but built my entire website for my blog. If it wasn’t for her push, I probably would never have started this. I contemplated doing it for about 11 months before I actually took the plunge, so I owe her a HUGE thank you.
Then, there’s my sister. She is my go-to for content approval. I send her all of my quotes and my blog posts before I make them live. (She’s actually editing this for me as I type it because she is the absolute best EVER). She not only supports me by encouraging me to keep going, but she literally takes time out of her already busy schedule and helps me brainstorm and edit.
All of my friends have been a great support system, too, but there are a few that have really gone out of their way to help me get my content out there. My friends Danielle (@singingdanielle) and Brittany (@chicpandamom) have been supportive since day one by sharing my content with their following. Kristina, my best friend for 11 years, and Ali, my friend from PA school, both had their babies at the same time I did. They’ve literally been my sanity throughout the whole entire experience. From finding out that I was pregnant to today, dealing with potty training. And then, of course, Jessica and Jenna, who both make it a point to like and share all my content the second I post and who have literally spent their time sending out my page to new people.
The part that I wasn’t expecting out of all of this was the incredible people I have met along the way. My followers are amazing. All of them are so supportive and genuinely caring. The messages I get from them are some of the nicest things that anyone has ever said to me. The mom community – actually, not even just the mom community, but the female community on my account – has been amazing. Even women who aren’t moms message me and say that they truly enjoy my content and that is just so encouraging in itself.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.mommyrealist.com
- Instagram: @mommy.realist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mommy-Realist-108407470604243/
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