Today we are continuing our new series where I chat with some of the moms on Instagram our community wants to get to know better. Next up is an inspiring mama I’m lucky to call a friend and who I’ve known for years – Julia of Lemon Stripes! I love Julia’s honest and transparent take on motherhood, how she shares the ups and downs and how she’s worked hard to grow her brand over the years. She’s the real deal.

You can read our previous interview with Liz Adams here!

What’s the best part of sharing your motherhood experience online? 

That I’m able to help other moms going through difficult times by sharing my experience and giving them advice along the way. I love connecting with other mothers and working through hard times together

.….And the hardest?

The mom shamers. I never really got people judging me in a nasty way on my blog until I had a kid. It’s unreal how brutal other moms can be. I truly believe that we’re all just trying our best and that we should cut each other a break. As women and mothers, the best thing we can do for ourselves and our society as a whole is to lift each other up. That’s why I started the Lemon Stripes Mamas Facebook group, a judgment-free zone where moms can ask questions, give advice, and support each other. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever created online.

What’s the first thing you do every morning?

I always get up 30-60 minutes before Amalia so that I can get ready for the day, drink my tea, and answer a few emails. Whenever I skip this, I feel rushed and crazed in the morning.

What does Amalia HATE to eat?! 

Where do I start? It depends on the day… Could be something she loved yesterday and randomly changed her mind about. #toddlerlife

What does she LIKE :) ? 

A lot more lately! I feel like all of our hard work in asking her to try new foods is finally paying off. She will eat a few raw veggies like peppers and cucumbers which she never would have done a few months ago. She also loves all fruits and berries.

What’s your favorite dinner to make for your family? 

Spaghetti bolognese. I use this recipe but pair it with regular pasta and Amalia will slurp up 2 or sometimes 3 bowls. She loves it but it’s straight to the bath afterwards :)

What’s in your glass at 5pm? 

Depends on the day. It used to be wine most nights but as I’ve grown as a mother and learned how to cope with meltdown and cranky nights, it’s usually tea these days. I find that even one glass of wine makes me feel groggy the next morning. I’m getting old!

What do you during nap time on an average day? 

Amalia is at daycare during the week, but on the weekends, my husband and I always have grand plans to garden, do laundry, or cook but realistically we usually end up crashing for an hour.

Best mom hack to save time, energy, money or sanity? 

If you’re a daycare mom, pack their lunch the night before! The morning rush is always mayhem and having that taken care of is a life saver.

Any cool toys you’ve discovered that Amalia loves right now??? 

We recently bought this easel/chalkboard from Ikea and it’s easily the best $20 we’ve spent on her in a while. She spends so much time coloring on it. 

What is your MOM UNIFORM?! 

Joggers, a tee shirt, and Rothy’s. Can’t go wrong!

What’s one thing you wish you could tell yourself as a brand new mom?

Ask for help if you need it. Those first 3 or 4 months were really hard. I had PPA and leaving the house even to run an errand would make me panic. I wish I had gotten help sooner.

What does balance mean to you? 

It means having enough time for my daughter, my work, my husband, my friends, and myself. I need alone time every week and make sure to schedule in fun friend dates and date nights with my husband every week. If I don’t do that, I start to go a little nuts.