I think about my mom so often. It’s been more than 10 years since she passed away, but her love is still a guiding light that never fades. It’s soft, quiet, but always present — like an invisible hand on my shoulder that helps me make decisions, stay kind, stay grounded.

Sometimes I catch myself repeating her words, doing things the way she used to do them, or teaching my kids the same lessons she once taught me. And in those moments I realize something beautiful: her love didn’t disappear. It simply moved into a different place — deeper, inside my heart.

I carry her warmth with me every single day. It lives in how I raise my kids, how I speak to them, how I try to show them the same kindness she showed me. This love is the most precious treasure I’ve inherited, and passing it to my children feels like the most meaningful thing I can do.

And you know… I didn’t say “I love you, Mom” enough.
We always think we have more time, more moments, more chances. Life feels long until suddenly it isn’t. And now I can only say these words in my heart — but I still say them, and I know she hears me.

I love you, Mom.
Thank you for everything. For your love, your softness, your strength, and for the light you left inside me.

And to all the moms — and to those who live only in our memories — thank you.
This day is for you.
Every day is for you.
Happy Mother’s Day!

The post My mom’s guiding light appeared first on Olesia Stefanko.

For me, it never works like that. The moment I try to be fully present with my kids, I instantly lose time for my self-growth. And selfcare? That’s a whole different chapter. Being with kids is emotionally fulfilling, self-growth is mentally fulfilling, and selfcare is physically necessary — but all three never fit into one day. At least not for me. And maybe that’s normal.

Sometimes I feel like people expect women to be layered like a cake: soft mother, supportive partner, successful professional, inspiring friend, organized home manager, healthy eater, emotionally balanced, glowing, patient, and still somehow interesting, fun, full of ideas, and available 24/7. And honestly, I’m tired just writing this list.

And let’s be real — finding time for your husband, for cooking, for actual conversations, for keeping the household running… it’s a lot. I love being present for my family. It’s my safe space. But at the same time, I feel this constant whisper inside: you should be more. You should do more. You should create something meaningful for women, grow your platform, bring value, express your ideas. And I want that too — I genuinely do. I have so many thoughts and projects I want to bring to life, so much I want to share, especially about women’s wellbeing. But the question that always stops me is: how? How to fit all of this into the life of a wife and a mom without burning out?

Maybe the real answer is that we don’t need to have it all at the same time. Maybe life comes in seasons, and each season gives us only what we can realistically handle. And maybe the most powerful thing we can do as women is simply admit that we’re trying — not perfectly, not effortlessly, but honestly.

The post Trying to have it All appeared first on Olesia Stefanko.

As I look back, I realize how many lessons life has offered me. Some were gentle, some were painful, but all of them helped me grow into the woman I am today. I learned to trust my intuition, to value my energy, to set boundaries without guilt, and to celebrate even the smallest victories. I learned that strength is not about being unbreakable but about finding the courage to rise again and again. And confidence is not something that appears overnight; it slowly builds as you begin choosing yourself in moments when it feels difficult.

But what truly makes this age feel special is the love surrounding me. I am deeply thankful for everyone who is part of my life, for every person who has supported, inspired, or challenged me. And above all, I am grateful for the incredible man next to me, the one who makes ordinary days feel magical. He brings calm into chaos, light into the darkest moments, and turns even simple routines into something beautiful. Feeling loved in such a sincere and steady way is one of the greatest gifts of my life.

There is something powerful about entering a new age with a sense of peace. I no longer try to rush through life or chase unrealistic expectations. Instead, I welcome what comes, knowing that everything happens in its own time. I appreciate the balance I have found, the goals I continue to pursue, and the dreams that still excite me.

So here is to thirty-six. To growth that never stops, to love that deepens with time, and to the beautiful journey ahead. I step into this year with gratitude, openness, and the quiet confidence that the best chapters are still unfolding.

The post Grateful for 36 appeared first on Olesia Stefanko.

Before becoming a mother, I always heard people say that time flies too fast and that watching children grow brings a bittersweet feeling. I truly thought that by now I would already feel sad that they are no longer tiny babies anymore. But the reality is very different. For me, this stage feels like stepping into a new chapter, one filled with discovery, excitement, and deep appreciation. Instead of sadness, I feel a sense of anticipation. I am genuinely curious about who they will become and how their unique personalities will continue to form.

Every day with them feels like a continuation of a story that keeps getting richer. I notice how their confidence grows, how they begin to express themselves more clearly, how their individuality slowly takes shape. And instead of clinging to the past, I find myself enjoying the present even more. There is so much beauty in witnessing this transformation, in seeing them explore the world and respond to it in their own ways. It reminds me how important it is to stay open, patient, and observant because these little changes can be so easy to miss.

I know there will be moments in the future when nostalgia will hit, when I will look back at certain phases and wish I could relive them. But right now, I feel grateful for every step forward, every new milestone, and every glimpse into the people they are becoming. Watching them grow does not feel like losing something; it feels like gaining something entirely new. And I cannot wait to see what comes next in their journey, and in ours.

The post Watching them grow appeared first on Olesia Stefanko.

At home, we speak Russian with my husband, and with the kids we use both Russian and English. When I’m alone with them, I also speak Ukrainian. We read Ukrainian books, I sing only Ukrainian lullabies, and I make sure this part of their identity stays alive and growing inside them. This is important for me, and I’m very intentional about it.

But here’s the point I want to make: what language we choose to speak at home is nobody else’s business. We do what works for our family dynamic, for our communication, and for the environment we want to create for our kids. I understand that, with everything happening right now, some people feel emotionally triggered by hearing Russian. I truly get it. But I also don’t feel the need to justify myself or explain the decisions we make as parents. My kids will understand Ukrainian, and I will always put effort into making sure of that. At the same time, I am not against them speaking the language their father grew up with.

My hope is that the people who truly wanted to understand — will understand. Everyone else will see what they want to see. I’ve never supported any form of judgment, and I won’t start now. Our choices at home belong to us, and I will always stand by that.

The post Our family languages appeared first on Olesia Stefanko.

Right now his diet is built around simple, clean and nourishing ingredients. For protein, he gets chicken, lentils, white beans and green peas. These are easy for him to digest, and I like that they provide good plant–animal balance. His complex carbohydrates come from gluten-free oatmeal, buckwheat and quinoa. These grains keep him full for a long time and help maintain stable energy throughout the day.

Vegetables and greens are an essential part of his meals. He eats almost any vegetable I offer, but his absolute favorites are potatoes and spinach. Recently he developed an allergy, so we are temporarily limiting sugar, including fruit, until we figure out what exactly triggered the reaction. It is not easy, but I want to be careful and let his system calm down.

We also include healthy fats every day. He gets avocado, coconut butter and pumpkin seed oil. These add important nutrients and support his development. The only dairy he consumes is baby formula based on goat’s milk, which he drinks before bedtime and sometimes during the night. And yes, we still wake up during the night for formula. If anyone has advice on how to help him sleep through the night, I am open to hearing it.

I cook everything myself because it allows me to control the quality and variety of ingredients. To keep his diet interesting, I also order eight jars from Yumi every week. I genuinely like their ingredient combinations and the diversity they offer. It helps me add something new without compromising quality.

As for his daily schedule, it is quite consistent. After he wakes up, he has oatmeal or buckwheat porridge with coconut butter. His first lunch is at 12:30 p.m., the second one around 3 p.m., and then he gets a snack at 5 p.m. That is his whole eating routine for now, and it works well for him.

Please remember, I am only sharing my personal experience. Every child is different, and your baby’s needs may not be the same. It is always best to discuss nutrition with your pediatrician, especially if you have any concerns.

The post Teo’s daily nutrition appeared first on Olesia Stefanko.

Still, I will be honest: after pregnancy and breastfeeding, I sometimes feel as if I have gone through an exhausting battle. There is pride, of course, but there is also physical tiredness you cannot fully explain until you live through it. That is why this sudden change felt both unexpected and symbolic, as if another chapter quietly closed behind me.

What makes this story even more meaningful is how naturally everything happened for Teo. My milk supply started to decrease, and he slowly lost interest. At some point he simply showed with his behavior that he was ready for the next stage, ready to explore real food, textures, and flavors that were more exciting than his usual routine. I am grateful that the process unfolded without stress or pressure for him. This is exactly how I hoped it would be — gentle, intuitive, and calm.

Of course, there is a little bit of nostalgia. Breastfeeding was not just about nutrition for me. It was about closeness, about the quiet moments that belong only to a mother and her baby. Eight months passed unbelievably fast, and I truly enjoyed this period more than I expected. Letting it go feels emotional, because it marks the end of a stage that will never repeat itself in the same way.

And now, just a few days later, my pre-pregnancy breast size is back. The shape, of course, is different, and I am still adjusting to it. But I believe that with time the body finds its own balance again. It always does.

I would love to hear your experiences. How did your transition after breastfeeding go, and how long did it take for your body to feel like yours again?

The post How my body changed overnight appeared first on Olesia Stefanko.

The last five months taught me more than I expected. I faced sore nipples that made the first weeks painful, moments of low milk supply that made me question whether I was doing everything right, episodes of lactostasis that required patience and careful attention, and even discomfort during workouts because the upper body tension felt completely different. But with time, support, and willingness to learn, I figured out how to navigate each period and finally reached a stage where I genuinely enjoy the process instead of surviving it.

Many of you ask about my diet, and this is the part that is truly individual. What works perfectly for one mom can be completely unsuitable for another baby. In my case, I had to remove fresh vegetables and certain fruits like lemons and oranges. I also excluded sauces and recently gave up chocolate. I keep coffee to one cup a day because anything stronger doesn’t feel right for either of us. And overall, I try to eat clean, nourishing meals that give me enough nutrients to support both my body and milk production.

One unexpected challenge was weight loss. I didn’t think maintaining a stable weight during breastfeeding would become something I had to actively control, but recently I noticed that the kilos began to drop too quickly. That is why I started adding extra calories to my daily ration and paying more attention to consistency in meals.

Workouts required adjustments as well. I became much more careful with exercises, especially upper-body training. I try not to overstrain myself, listen to my energy levels, and rest whenever I feel physically drained. Nothing is worth pushing through exhaustion, especially during breastfeeding.

And one more thing I want every new mom to know: having a good lactation consultant can change everything. I was lucky to have someone who guided me through every concern, answered every question, and reminded me that I was not alone in this journey. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a form of care for yourself and your baby.

So now I’m curious: did you breastfeed your babies, and how long did your breastfeeding journey last?

The post My breastfeeding yourney appeared first on Olesia Stefanko.

There are a few simple rules that began forming naturally as I stepped into the role of a mother. They are not strict instructions, but gentle guidelines that help me navigate our new life and keep harmony within the family.

First, when a baby arrives, he becomes part of the family rhythm, not the other way around. His needs are the priority, of course, but it is important that his schedule grows from the family’s overall lifestyle. A child feels more secure when the people around him are stable and balanced, so adapting his routine with thoughtful adjustments helps everyone feel more at ease.

Second, a newborn truly comes into this world like a blank page. He can adapt to many things, and parents naturally shape the daily pace he will follow. This does not mean being rigid or overly structured. It means being mindful, observing the child’s signals, and slowly introducing a rhythm that respects his needs and your family’s lifestyle.

Third, a baby benefits greatly from having a schedule. Predictability gives him a sense of safety and helps him understand the world around him. But balance is essential. Some days he may be overtired, overstimulated, or simply in a different mood. These moments require flexibility rather than strict rules. I try to remember that no schedule should overshadow the real child with real emotions and needs.

Fourth, even though a baby requires a significant amount of time and attention, it is important not to lose yourself or overlook your partner. Giving space to your own needs and nurturing the relationship within the family helps maintain harmony. A mother who cares for herself will always have more warmth and patience to give.

Finally, I constantly remind myself that my baby sees me as the best mother he could ever have simply because I am his mother. He does not compare, judge or measure. He accepts. And that is why self-criticism has no place here. Enjoying the moments with your little one, even the imperfect ones, brings more balance than striving for unrealistic standards.

These small principles help me build a life that feels steady and warm. Now I am curious to hear from you: what are your own rules for keeping balance in motherhood?

The post Finding balance in motherhood appeared first on Olesia Stefanko.

One of the strongest feelings that appeared almost out of nowhere is what many call mom’s guilt. It is the quiet, uncomfortable thought that I am somehow not doing enough for my baby, even when I devote every moment and every effort to him. It is the constant worry that I may be missing something, not noticing something, or simply not being the mother he deserves. And even though I rationally know that I give him all my love, the guilt still finds its way into my mind.

Another feeling I never imagined I would face is wife’s guilt. It is the awareness that the balance in our relationship has shifted and that I give far less time and attention to my husband. Not because I want it this way, but because being a new mother consumes so much physical and emotional energy. Some days I feel torn between two roles that both matter deeply to me, and I am still learning how to adjust and not feel guilty for simply being human.

The lack of sleep adds another layer to all of this. On certain days, when exhaustion is overwhelming, I feel as if I am drowning in responsibilities, emotions and expectations. I know it is mostly hormones, temporary changes and the natural adjustment period after childbirth, yet it does not make the feelings any less real. I remind myself that the most important thing is to find something positive even in the smallest moments and to recognize that this phase is just a part of a long and beautiful journey.

Mamas, I would really like to know if you experience something similar and how you cope with it. Sharing our feelings and supporting each other makes this path much easier, and I believe that honest conversations help us navigate this chapter with more strength and understanding.

The post After birth: my honest emotions appeared first on Olesia Stefanko.