Becoming a mum can challenge you in ways you never imagined. Sometimes you need a little inspiration and reminder that you’re not the only one feeling this way.

These quotes remind me of the strength of mothers – even in the face of what feels like insurmountable challenges. These are the quotes on motherhood, being a woman, finding your strength and speaking up I think every mum needs to hear.

15 Quotes on motherhood every mum needs to hear 

Quotes on self-compassion

Being a mum so often comes with a giant serve of mum-guilt. Feeling like we’re not doing enough and like we’re not good enough. In those moments, it’s important to treat ourselves with the same kindness and ‘mother-love’ that we show our children.

“Self compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others”  – Christopher Germer

“Talk to yourself as you would someone you love” – Brené Brown

“When you are compassionate with yourself, you trust in your soul, which let you guide your life. Your soul knows the geography of your desinty better than you do.” – John O’Donohue

Quotes on the strength of a mother

Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws – Barbara Kingsolver

“A strong woman understands that the gifts such as logic, decisiveness, and strength are just as feminine as intuition and emotional connection. She values and uses all of her gifts” – Nancy Rathburn

“Mothers are like glue. Even when you can’t see them, they’re still holding the family together.” – Susan Gale

Quotes on rediscovering yourself through motherhood

Motherhood brings with it one of the greatest transformations of your life – a moving away from who you were to who you are now. 

“She wasn’t born herself, she found herself aover a long and treacherous road and the more treacherous the road became the more of herself she found.” – Atticus

“The art of being yourself at your best is the art of unfolding yourself into the personality you want to be. Learn to love yourself, be gentle with yourself, to forgive yourself, for only as we have the right attitiude to ourselves can we have the right attitude towards others” – Wilfred peterson

“Sometimes we must lose ourselves to find ourselves” – Sonny Long

Quotes on the importance of self-care and rest

As mothers we can be so busy giving to others all of the time, so busy doing everything for everyone else that we forget to look after ourselves. Let these quotes be your reminder that it’s ok to put your own needs first, to slow down and rest.

“It’s precisely those who are busiest who most need to give themselves a break.” – Pico lyer

“Understand that getting help isn’t a sign of weakness but a sign of strength” – Michelle Obama

“Hard work is important. So are play and nonproductivity. My worth is tied not to my productivity but to my existence. I am worthy of rest.” – Glennon Doyle

Quotes on finding your voice and having courage

When you’re knee-deep in dirty nappies and toddler tantrums, fielding opinions of others at every turn, it can be hard to speak up and do what is right for you and your family. These quotes are my go-to when I’m needing to rediscover my own power and voice.

“The world needs strong women. Women who will lift and build others, who will love and be loved,. Women who live bravely, both tender and fierce. Women of indomitable will.” – Amy Tenney

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” – Maya Angelou

“This is the most revolutionary thing a woman can do: the next precise thing, one thing at a time, without asking permission or offering explanation” – Glennon Doyle

Kate Vivian is an intuitive life, mindset and mastrescence coach, and mum of three, supporting mothers on the (life-changing) journey through motherhood. A Mama Rising Facilitator, Motherhood studies practitioner, and recovering ‘good girl’ Kate is on a mission to help women rewrite the rulebook on what it means to show up in the world as a woman and a mother – and more importantly, as themselves.

Kate creates a space for women where they can feel safe to take risks, to dream big and to show up as authentically them. No BS required. A space where women can reclaim their innate worth, reconnect with themselves and reimagine their lives,

When Kate’s not supporting mums or mums-to-be, you’ll probably find her drooling over recipes she never has time to cook, chucking weights around at the gym or chowing down on some chocolate (because it’s all about balance – right??).