Motherhood is a journey filled with joy, love, and profound lessons—but it also comes with challenges that often go unspoken. In her powerful and heartfelt book, From the Heart of a Mother, Randi Latzman invites readers into her world, sharing poetry and reflections that capture the raw and real emotions of motherhood. From overwhelming guilt to indescribable love, her words provide a safe space for mothers to feel seen, understood, and less alone.
In this interview, Randi Latzman opens up about her inspiration for writing, the challenges she’s faced in motherhood, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. With a commitment to breaking cycles of pain and fostering honest conversations about parenting, she offers a message of hope, resilience, and connection. Whether you’re a mother yourself or simply curious about the untold stories of motherhood, her insights are sure to resonate deeply.
- What inspired you to start your creative project “From the Heart of a Mother”?
I have been writing motherhood poems on Facebook for a few years, and it was actually my readers that encouraged me to write a book! The amount of support and positive feedback I received regarding my poetry was incredibly humbling and shocking to me. I never imagined that people from all over the world would find solace in my words. I also was shocked about the number of moms that commented that they didn’t know anyone else struggled with motherhood. I felt there was a need for moms to know that struggles are par for the course and that they aren’t bad mothers for having feelings of overwhelm, guilt, angst, frustration, and for missing simpler times. That was a big motivator to brave the world of publishing and write “From the Heart of a Mother.”
- As a mother, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced, and how have you overcome them?
Motherhood finds a way of holding a mirror up to the parts of ourselves that need the most healing. I grew up in a family of yellers, and learning how to regulate my own emotions and hold space for hers has been the most challenging and also most rewarding part of motherhood for me. That isn’t to say that I never yell, because I am far from perfect, but I have learned to recognize my feelings of frustration before I yell so that I can better manage it.
Honestly, motherhood is a journey filled with roadblocks and challenges. You think you’ve gotten a handle on them, and just like whack-a-mole, more pop up. Each phase and age comes with its own set of hurdles. Learning that I am never going to have all the answers, that it is okay to make mistakes as long as I own up and learn from them, and to continue to try my best are the things that help me no matter the obstacle. I am currently dealing with a pre-teen who both pushes me away and needs me, and I am trying to let go and give her space and encouragement to find her own footing. That is so hard for me as she has needed and wanted me for so long. I am also learning that at this age, she needs me to listen and acknowledge her concerns rather than jump in and fix them for her. Listening and repeating back what she says goes a lot further than me talking and telling her what to do. This age is very challenging, and I have no doubt that teendom will come with its own unique challenges!
- Can you share with us a bit about your personal journey into motherhood and how it inspired your writing journey?
I grew up in an emotionally unstable home. My parents were either yelling or not speaking. My mother was abused by her mother, and in turn, the cycle continued with my sister and me. As the eldest, I got the brunt of it. I often turned to writing to cope, and I was always an avid lover of writing poetry. I got into a special school in junior high based on creative writing, which only further fostered that love.
I vowed from a young age that I would not continue the cycle of abuse and I would be the mother that I never had. I was able to keep that promise, and I continued writing as an adult. During the pandemic, I felt compelled to start writing online to offer support to those that didn’t have any due to quarantine. I began sharing my story of abuse, which led to me starting a blog (www.survivingmomblog.com) about mental health and motherhood. It was the blog that gave me the courage to start writing my poems on Facebook where I was able to combine my love of poetry with the love I have for my daughter. The rest, as they say, was history!
- “From the Heart of a Mother” aims to provide a safe space for mothers to feel seen and understood. Can you tell us more about how you hope your book will accomplish this?
I don’t want mothers to feel alone with their struggles. Too many of us suffer in silence because we feel shame about the hardships of motherhood. According to a Huntington Post survey, 90% of moms feel alone in their motherhood journey. It is a staggering statistic, and I was one of those 90%. I too felt enormous guilt and panic about the responsibilities of motherhood. I remember calling my father-in-law a few weeks postpartum crying, and he told me that my mother-in-law had felt the same way. A light bulb went on in my head at that time. Why wasn’t anyone talking about this? If I had known that it was normal to feel that way, it would have made me feel so much better.
My book doesn’t just talk about the love and blessings of motherhood. There is an entire section filled with poems about mom guilt, exhaustion, overwhelm, worry, doubt, sadness, and just about every other emotion that we go through. Motherhood is the hardest AND most wonderful thing, and I feel deeply that both need to be discussed. Mothers need to know that other mothers feel the same way that they do and that doesn’t make us bad mothers. It makes us human. My greatest hope is that every mother who reads From the Heart of a Mother feels less alone and more understood. My book also has sections for moms of younger kids and moms of older kids so that every mother will feel themselves in this book.
- Throughout the process of writing your book, were there any moments of self-doubt or uncertainty? How did you navigate through those moments?
I suffer with self-doubt and uncertainty constantly! Social media is filled with picture perfect mothers in spotless homes with smiling kids (without any stains on their clothing!). It is hard to feel like we measure up when there are impossible standards set. My book is releasing on November 26th, and I am both excited and terrified at the idea of people reading my words. What if it isn’t good enough? What if my writing isn’t good enough? What if it is a big flop? I also struggle with anxiety, so the “what ifs” are in a never-ending loop in my mind.
Imposter syndrome rears its ugly head in all aspects of our lives, both personal and professional. All I can do in those moments of plaguing self-doubt is remind myself that I am doing my best. I can only give what I have, and I hope and pray that it is enough. I can honestly look at my book and say I gave it my all. I can look at my child and say I give her my all (although my best varies by day, hour, and even minute at times!). Remembering that and focusing on what is within my ability to control helps me through those times. I once heard that depression is looking backwards and anxiety is looking forwards. I try really hard to stay in the moment and be mindful of what is within my power.
- What advice would you give to other mothers who are aspiring writers or creators, but may feel overwhelmed by the demands of parenting and other responsibilities?
My advice is that mothers can do it all, just not all at once. We are programmed to believe that we are superheroes, which is a nice notion, but in reality it places enormous pressure on our already overburdened shoulders. If you truly want something, go after it. It may take longer than you want, but it doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Write or create when you have time. It is also important to be mindful of how you manage your time, meaning that if you have 30 minutes while your kids are sleeping or playing, instead of scrolling on social media, write! Keep a pad and pen nearby so that if a moment of inspiration hits you, you can immediately create. It is understandable that the amount of time you will have to dedicate to creating will fluctuate. Try to carve out time in your schedule when you know that you have some time, even if it is only for 10 minutes. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help! If you have a spouse, ask them to take on some additional responsibilities so you can pursue this. If you are a single parent, ask a friend or loved one if they can help out to ease your burden. If you truly want something, you have to be your own advocate. It is hard, but you can do it!
- Reflecting on your own experiences, what do you think is the most important aspect of self-care for mothers, especially those engaged in creative pursuits?
Self-care is something I believe many of us feel guilty about. We feel time spent on ourselves is time taken away from taking care of others. We need to remember that taking time for ourselves allows us to be the best version of ourselves for our kids. When we are okay, we are not as quick to lose our temper or feel overwhelmed. Even a few minutes a day of self-care is so essential for our well being. Self-care will mean different things to different people. For those that find creative pursuits enjoyable, make sure to dedicate a few minutes per day doing something creative. If it makes you feel stressed, it isn’t self-care. I love reading, so I try to find a few minutes a day to curl up with a book. Self-care can be anything from dancing to taking deep breaths. It really is about finding time to focus on what brings you joy.
- In your opinion, what are some of the most important lessons or insights that mothers can gain from reading “From the Heart of a Mother”?
I think a few of the lessons/insights gained from my book are: 1- Motherhood will help you to grow as a person because we want to be the best versions of ourselves for our kids.2- You think you know love, but the kind of love we have for our kids goes beyond anything we could comprehend.3- Motherhood will test you in every way possible. It will also show you how strong and resilient you truly are.4- You will feel the highest of highs and the lowest of lows throughout your journey.5- It is not possible to do everything right as a mother. Perfection is an impossible notion. However, your unconditional love is what your kids need. Your efforts are what they need. That is enough.6- Be open and honest about your emotions. It allows you to fully process them and it shows your kids that it is safe to have their own emotions.7- Our kids may get older, but some things never change. No matter their age and no matter ours, we will love and worry and care and try. 8- We will make mistakes. Our kids will make mistakes. Apologize and keep trying.
- Motherhood often comes with unexpected lessons. Could you tell us about one of the most profound lessons you’ve learned along the way?
One of the most profound and unexpected lessons I learned was that my child would be my greatest teacher. I actually dedicated a few poems to the lessons I’ve learned from my child! Another biggie is that being her mother paved the road for me to grow, both as a person and as a wife. I had to acknowledge and work through my inner demons. Lastly, I learned that love doesn’t equal perfection. My child doesn’t need or want me to be perfect, and that mentality will only make her feel that she needs to be perfect.
- Lastly, what are your hopes for the impact of your book, both on individual mothers and on the broader conversation surrounding motherhood?
There are a few things I hope will come from my writing. One is that our pasts do not have to dictate our future. Cycles can be broken. We can choose to do better and be better than what we had as children.
I also hope that my writing encourages mothers to share their story and start speaking about their hardships. We need to stop thinking that we are bad moms when we try our best and love with our whole hearts. We have to start expressing our hardships during motherhood so we can get support and end the cycle of shame and guilt that come from our struggles.
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