Motherhood Series with Kathryn Hood

IN HER WORDS

featuring

Kathryn Hood

Fremantle, Australia  •  Mother of Lily (9), Henry (7) & Luca (4)

There are friendships that arrive and you know immediately, that this friendship was destined to be, something you didn't know you needed until they're simply there. Kathryn Hood is one of those people that has been a constant in my life since we met. Now a mother of three, a yoga teacher, and a woman who has done the quiet inner work of becoming, she lives in Perth with her husband and their children, Lily (9), Henry (7), and Luca (4) navigating the beautiful, messy, expansive terrain of motherhood with a rare kind of grace.

In this conversation, Kat speaks with disarming honesty about the shock of becoming a mother, the metamorphosis she never expected, and the daily rituals that keep her rooted. There is something in her words that feels like permission, to hold all of it at once, the hard and the tender, without having to choose.

This one is quiet and powerful in equal measure.

 

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When you think back to the moment you became a mother, what do you remember most clearly?

I remember shock. I remember worry and panic after a traumatic birth. I remember thinking, "I thought it would feel different to this."

I also remember feeling like my daughter felt like a foreign creature, I didn't immediately feel connected to her, most likely due to the trauma of her birth. It took a few weeks for that shock to settle and for me to start to bond with her.

 

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What surprised you about motherhood that no one really prepared you for?

The depth of love and fierceness that develops, the way you can love someone so deeply and wholly, and love all parts of them even when you may be challenged by their behaviour.

I was also not prepared for the strength of character that motherhood builds. I thought I would still, in essence, always be me. I was not prepared for the entire metamorphosis that motherhood facilitates. I wasn't prepared for how much I would change as a person, I advocate louder, my boundaries are stronger, my compassion is greater, my ability to multi-task is profound now!

 

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In what ways have you grown or changed since becoming a mother?

In what ways haven't I grown or changed? I always say that motherhood broke me down to build me up. In many ways I am unrecognisable from the person I was pre-children. My purpose is clear and strong, and my family and my children are my north star. Everything has shifted because of them. Even my career, which involves spiritual work, I believe it wouldn't have unfolded if not for the vulnerability, strength and conviction that motherhood has given me. Plus I'm exceptionally good at being laser-focused and efficient now!

Mostly, I've been able to soften into the magic of my life in a way that I wasn't able to fully do pre-kids. The many twists and turns and pivots of parenthood have taught me to surrender, to move with more grace and self-compassion, and to release my pre-children grip of perfectionism.

 

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What is a small, ordinary moment with your child that feels deeply meaningful to you?

Reading with my children always feels deeply meaningful, it's so nostalgic for me, and reading is such an important thing in my life, so I love seeing my children love it too. It feels full circle for the child within me.

I love our chats in the car and driving around having spontaneous adventures together. This feels so meaningful because we can take an ordinary day and create spontaneous magic moments within it.

 

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What does love look like when you’re exhausted?

It looks like cuddles and back scratches and chats in bed at the end of the day, all while thinking of the to-do list that I need to get to. I refuse to let that time of connection go for the sake of the to-do list.

It also looks like having self-compassion and modelling to my children that when I'm exhausted, I need to rest too. I'm not a robot. In these times we prioritise nature, slowing down our day, and reading or moving quietly to honour the process of rest.

 

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Is there a daily ritual that grounds you in this season of motherhood?

Movement first thing in the morning, in the quiet part of the day while my children are still sleeping. Sauna, meditation and coffee in my favourite mug outside, staring at the trees. That's my most grounded way to set myself up for the day. It doesn't matter if the rest of the day is total chaos, at least I have had that time for myself.

 

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What do you feel most proud of in your motherhood journey so far?

I feel proud that over time I've leaned into my intuition and my gut instincts as a mother. I've learned how to soften and surrender to the many pivots that life as a mother to three kids creates, and I've reprioritised what it means to live a fulfilled life. My children have shown me the many ways I can live an abundant life, and my eyes are open now to the depth of life that's here to access. I'm so proud that I've been able to lean into these opportunities for growth, because they have opened me up to new possibilities and experiences that I never could have even imagined pre-children.

 

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What kind of legacy do you hope to pass on?

I hope to pass on my values of raising children who are emotionally aware. I hope my children know how to be kind and how to be curious and open to the magic of the world and the uniqueness of other people. I hope I can pass on my ethos of working hard for the things that light you up and of being brave enough to follow your passions.

Mostly, I hope I can raise children who feel brave enough to be themselves and be true to themselves. Who can hold their heads high and be proud of the people they are in the world. Who stay open to the magic of what life has to offer. I hope I can raise children who are sensitive to the plights of others, and who can use their brains for critical thinking and their hearts for giving and receiving love freely.

 

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If you could speak to yourself at the beginning of motherhood, what would you say?

Listen inward. Your intuition will guide you forward. Ignore the external noise and listen inward. Co-sleeping will be the best thing for your family, lean in. Let go of the advice and tune into your own inner compass.

Life will throw you curveballs, a perfect parent does not exist. But if you always come back to building connection and resiliency in your family, this will create the foundation for the hurdles that life will throw at you.

Prioritise sleep! Prioritise great food, sunshine, nature, moving your body and laughter. These things will never fail.

 

 

My conversations with Kat are like sitting down with someone who has done the quiet, unglamorous work of becoming, and who doesn't shy away from naming the hard parts. It’s always real, honest but also encouraging, she’s my biggest supporter in life and business. She speaks of shock and disconnection alongside love and softening, and in doing so, gives permission for other mothers to hold all of it at once. If there is one thread running through her words, it's this: the willingness to listen inward, and the courage to follow what you find there.

Kat’s work is incredible, please visit her website to learn more about her offerings.

Love and Kindness,

Kirst x x x

 

KAT'S PICKS: Kat trusted me in the early years of my artist career, I created 2 commissions for Kat, these two prints are an adapted version of the large originals she has in her collection. 

Kat | "My top art pics are the 2 pieces that I have custom made: the poppy and the circle. 

They are nostalgic because they were the first pieces you created for me. The poppy evokes so much joy, it’s like life in full bloom. And the circle represents infinity, the cycle of life. It just feels so complete to me."