Birmingham Mom Collective :: Introducing Madison S.

Birmingham

It is weird to think of myself as a newcomer to Birmingham because from day one this community made me feel right at home. But it’s true, I am still the “new girl” around here! My family and I relocated from the Florida Panhandle in July of 2019 following a job opportunity for my husband. Leaving the white sand beaches behind seemed impossible until I saw the beauty of the rolling hills, rivers, and lakes of the Magic City. My family grew to love these natural beauties and the amazing sunsets of our neighborhood, Greystone Legacy, when COVID shutdowns happened shortly after our big move. We walked every road and trail available to us and played on every open playground many times over.

When Birmingham came to life again post-pandemic, we dove headfirst into all the activities and extracurriculars offered to children in the area. We absolutely fell in love with the food scene and enjoy the local arts, theater, music, and culture around us. Children who grow up in Birmingham are blessed with amazing schools, a family environment, and ample opportunities. This city is rich in history (my favorite!), diverse businesses, and promising startups. The best of southern outdoor sports and leisure activities can be found in each corner of the metro. The locals are quick to accept you just as you are, invite you to their church or front porch for sweet tea, and take a genuine interest in your family.

We are a short drive from the East Coast barrier islands and Gulf Coast beaches, the Smokey Mountains, the music capital of Nashville, and the business center of the South–Atlanta. Yet, we are a destination in and of ourselves. Birmingham is a treasure hidden in plain sight.

Mom

I must admit, sometimes I look around at all my children and think “Who’s in charge here?! Where’s the real adult?!” Then I remember. . . that adult is me! I became a mother at a young age, just 21, but never for one day was I nervous or overwhelmed by the idea. Growing up as the oldest of five sisters, I feel like I have been a mom my entire life.

When it was just me and our first little boy, I did not think I could love anyone more. But, being from a large family, I knew that’s what I wanted, too. We quickly added another boy to the mix. The young years of our family revolved around those little wild boys and trying to stay two steps ahead of their shenanigans. Wes and Deacon, now 11 and nine, have been double trouble and opposites since the beginning. Wes is our little athlete who would play outside from dawn to dusk everyday if he could. He absolutely loved his first year of tackle football (Go Jags!) and is now gearing up for another season of lacrosse. Deacon is our STEM enthusiast who loves to do science experiments in the kitchen, construct massive Lego creations, and read any graphic novel he can find. Both boys take Fortnite waaaay too seriously and both keep a revolving door of friends in and out of the house.

After years of being a boy mom, I finally got a little girl! Maria joined our family in 2018 and I think this girl has left glitter behind her everywhere we’ve gone since then. She is four going on 14, with a huge personality and huge vocabulary. She loves going to preschool, dance class, and gymnastics; and she cannot wait to finally have her turn on the soccer field this Spring. Her favorite activities are shopping at The Summit, having lunch at Taco Mama, and going on fancy daddy/daughter dates around town.

Maria was thrilled when our only Birmingham-born baby arrived a year ago and she got to have a “real” baby doll. Theo completed our family in the most perfect way. In true fourth child fashion, he spent his first few weeks at the ball field, school programs, and carlines. This baby smiles the biggest, brightest smile at anyone who happens to look his way. He has been so easy going and willingly tags along wherever his older siblings need us. Wherever we go, the six of us fill the vehicle, the room, or the booth, and there is never a quiet moment!

Collective

I love this idea of moms joining in a “collective,” because we need each other! We need someone to cheer us on, validate our fears and feelings, bounce ideas off of, and enjoy this season of life with. We need people who will say “I get that” when it’s been a bad day and we feel like failures. We need people who will say “Try this, it worked for me” or “I’m praying for you right now.”

Life for our family is insanely busy right now. Before moving to Birmingham, I owned and operated a dance studio where I worked from home by day and taught an average of 100 students throughout the week in the afternoons and evenings. Who knew that by selling the business I would become busier? Shortly after our relocation, I decided to go back to school through Troy Online and I will (finally!!) be graduating soon.

I continue to work as a freelance choreographer and have dappled in other work-from-home opportunities. My husband began a new job this year as President of BoMont Group, an insurance brokerage downtown, and is also in his second year of the Executive J.D. program at Faulkner University. Some days I feel like we are on top of things and rocking it all. Other days I feel like we must be crazy for taking it all on! 

But ALL moms and ALL families are busy in their own ways! And we ALL need to lean on each other! By sharing our stories, connecting over experiences, or answering each other’s questions we realize that all moms face challenges, upsets, and adversities in today’s world. But we can also realize that we share so much joy, so many commonalities, and so much love for the children in our lives. By standing together and supporting each other, we can make our community stronger and the future brighter for our kids.