Birmingham Mom Collective: Introducing Michelle H.

Birmingham

I was born and raised in the Trussville/Pinson area of Birmingham, but my husband and I have lived in Leeds since 2001. I love the Birmingham area for the benefits of big city living, like museums, fantastic medical care, and cultural diversity, with all the hospitality of a small town. It is like living in Mayberry but with quick access to an airport.

This Mayberry in the big city phenomenon makes being a mom so amazing. We get to experience such a broad range of activities from the World Games, to El Salvadoran food, to multiple university honor bands. The best hospitals and doctors are readily available to us. And at the same time, my child’s teacher comes to his basketball games. I text with the children’s librarian at my local library. Even as I write this, my oldest is on a band trip, and I personally know several moms on this trip will step in and care for my son as their own as needed. 

Mom

I am a mom to three boys. Erik will be 16 in just a couple of weeks. James is 12, and Micah is nine. So, if you’re wondering, that is 10th grade, seventh grade, and third grade. I love being friends with my kids! While I am still actively parenting, I thoroughly enjoy talking with them about what they are learning and experiencing. I also enjoy doing all kinds of activities with them.

The most challenging and yet most amazing aspect of motherhood is that I am frequently challenged beyond my abilities. If I lose focus, I am overwhelmed by everything I need to be and do. Yet, if my focus is right, I can see how others have helped me, how I have been able to help others, and how being stretched beyond my abilities makes me a stronger, healthier, more capable person.

Collective

Within the last couple of years, I’ve started to realize that I am now in the same stage of life as the women who contributed the most to my childhood church, school, family, and friends. Those women still had a good amount of energy, and they had the seasoning gained only by time and experience. These ladies are now entering retirement. So, ladies my age need to step up and carry the legacy. Contributing to Birmingham Mom Collective is one way I can step up. Some of the unique perspectives that I can bring to BMC is that of parenting both older and younger kids, parenting with a chronic illness (I have Crohn’s Disease), and parenting in a multigenerational home. I look forward to sharing the things I have learned as I go through this motherhood journey with you all!