Whitney Goodman is a mother and entrepreneur hailing from the Pacific Northwest, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. She has spent her career helping businesses of all sizes develop authentic storytelling through brand strategy, marketing, PR, and more. When she's not overseeing Business Development for luxury real estate team Jenna Cooper | LA, she enjoys spending time exploring the city with her husband, two-year-old daughter, Inez, and french bulldog, Nuggy.

What is the self-care practice you do to maintain balance?

It’s as simple as taking time for myself — whether that’s getting out for a walk, taking a shower, or going for a drive. I’m not a ‘spa’ person for self-care, it’s more about carving out little moments for me to just quietly exist.

What excites you most about being a mother?

It’s a combination of wanting to help this person become a kind, empathetic, driven, caring individual and also wanting to push myself to be better as well. I want her to be proud of me, but I also feel motivated to go the extra mile on everything I do.

Tell us about your child’s name. Is there a special meaning behind it?

Ines was my husband’s Argentinian paternal grandmother’s middle name (did you track that?!) but we changed it to Inez with a ‘z’ because we thought it would be easier for Americans to pronounce. It didn’t really work, but we tried! Her middle name is my paternal grandmother’s first name, who was battling Alzheimer's while I was pregnant and passed a few months after Inez was born. I like that she carries her family members’ memories with her in her name.

What was your pregnancy journey like? And what has surprised you the most?

It had its ups and downs, that’s for sure! The first few months I felt like I was going to throw up constantly, but never did. The only way I felt relief was if I burped (I’d say TMI, but I wish more people talked about the weird stuff that happens to normalize it). Then I had spurts of feeling great, but about ¾ of the way through, I developed sciatica that was so bad some days that I couldn’t walk. The last trimester was all about trying to get Inez to flip since she was breech, which didn’t pan out and we had a planned c-section. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing.

How has life changed for you since becoming a mother?

In pretty much every aspect. I have to put someone else before myself in a different way than I ever have before. My priorities are secondary. That being said, I have found that my drive to be creatively fulfilled, to work, and to make connections is still very much alive.

What is the best/most useful piece of advice you’ve received about motherhood? How do you incorporate it into your life?

Don’t worry about trying to figure out parenting a tween or teenager when your kid is only two. You will be a different person with a different connection to your child, a different understanding of their needs, and a whole new set of parenting abilities when you get there. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the future moments, but remember that you’re growing through this process too.

Have you ever been mom-shamed? Share an experience and how you handled it.

Breastfeeding. If you formula fed like we did, then no further explanation is necessary.

What is a recent parenting experience that made you laugh or cry?

I was playing with Inez and she stopped and looked at me and said, “Mama, sometimes I have feelings,” and put her hands on her heart. It was very sweet and I laughed on the inside while saying, “That’s wonderful. Mama has feelings too.”

What is your all-time favorite recipe to make for your family?

The easiest breakfast for a kid is a smoothie (we do spinach, banana, milk, and chia seeds) but my second favorite is banana pancakes. (Throw all of the below in a blender, then pour into a pan with coconut oil spray.)

• Two eggs
• 1 banana
• Teaspoon vanilla
• Sprinkle of cinnamon
• ¼ cup oats