Trusting Your Intuition In Motherhood

Let's talk about something that’s so important yet often overlooked: trusting your intuition in motherhood. It sounds simple, but it’s something many of us struggle with. So, grab a cup of tea—preferably in your favourite mug because that totally matters—and let’s dive in. 

What does trusting yourself in motherhood mean to you? Does it mean you feel confident to make choices when your child is unwell? Is it around parenting choices? Is it trusting yourself in making life choices?  Or perhaps it means something else entirely.  

What has patriarchy got to do with it? 

It’s no secret that we live in a patriarchal society. Even though women are often the glue that holds families and communities together, we still get told, subtly or not-so-subtly, that we need to defer to “experts” for the final word on everything. This can chip away at your confidence, making it harder to trust yourself. 

We’re more connected than ever online, and we’re often missing the intergenerational wisdom. The village aunties and grandmas who used to share their knowledge with new mothers are often no longer around us. Many of us move away from our families, we’re having children later, and the result is that we’re navigating motherhood more alone than ever before. 

As a result, we often doubt ourselves. We think, "Am I doing this right? What if I’m screwing up?" And that doubt can be paralysing. 

Why trusting yourself is a big deal 

We live in a world where information is literally at our fingertips 24/7. Got a question about a weird rash? Google it. Not sure if your baby’s sleep pattern is normal? There’s probably a blog post for that.  

But here’s the kicker: for every piece of advice you find, there’s an equally convincing piece of advice saying the opposite. It’s like trying to navigate through a maze with a blindfold on—and that’s exhausting! But here’s the thing: deep down, you already know what’s right for your child.  

Your gut feelings are your secret weapon. You just need to learn to trust them.  

This also feels like the perfect moment to remind you - you are the expert on your child.  

Yes, you! Not the paediatrician, not the parenting books, not your well-meaning aunt who keeps giving you unsolicited advice. Those people can offer guidance, sure, but at the end of the day, you know your child better than anyone else on this planet. Your instincts? They’re gold. So why do we so often second-guess ourselves? 

Learning to trust your gut again 

So how do we fix this? How do we start trusting our gut again?  

1. Remember You’re the Expert: No one knows you, your family or your child like you do. That means you get the final say in what’s best for them. Don’t let anyone else make you feel otherwise. 

1. Tune Out the Noise: It’s so easy to get lost in the sea of information out there. Next time you feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice, take a step back. Breathe. What’s your gut telling you? That’s probably the right answer. 

1. Trust Your Gut—Even if It Can’t Handle Dairy: We joke in my family about trusting our gut, even when it can’t handle a slice of pizza. But seriously, your instincts are more reliable than you think. If something feels off, it probably is. If something feels right, trust that. 

1. It’s Your Life, Your Rules: You don’t need to parent in a way that makes everyone else happy. You don’t have to make decisions based on what others expect. It’s okay to prioritize what feels right for you and your family, even if it ruffles a few feathers. 

Trusting yourself in motherhood is not just important; it’s essential. It’s about reclaiming your confidence and recognising that you are the expert on your child, your family, and your life. We live in a world overflowing with advice and opinions, but at the end of the day, your intuition is your most valuable guide. 

If you enjoyed this blog I’d love you to join my Trusting Yourself in Motherhood Masterclass. Head to this link and the masterclass will instantly arrive in your inbox.