A Mother’s Day Reflection – From My Heart to Yours
Mother’s Day always brings a wave of emotions for me—deep love, pride, vulnerability, and gratitude. It’s a moment in the year where I pause, even if briefly, to truly reflect on what motherhood means. Not just as a mother of two (once two-under-two) but as a woman who made a life-altering decision to leave the comfort of a CEO role, right before my second child was born, to start a business of my own.
When I think back, it wasn’t an easy decision. In fact, it was terrifying. I had built a career I was proud of, one that gave me status, structure, and stability. But deep inside, I knew I wanted more—not just more time with my children, but more purpose in what I was building. And so, TravelTod was born—not just as a brand, but as a reflection of a mother’s heart and needs. It aligned perfectly with my passion for children and for the planet—offering sustainable baby gear that supports parents while protecting the world we’re leaving for our little ones.
Running your own business is no walk in the park. The truth? I sleep less now. My mind is always on. The work never truly ends. But the reward is something I wouldn't trade for the world. I get to manage my time, to be present during the little moments that matter so much—school drop-offs, bedtime stories, unplanned hugs, and midday giggles. The flexibility isn’t perfect, but it’s real. And I’ll take real over perfect any day.
One of the things I cherish most is involving my children in every way possible. From helping pack gift boxes to “approving” new designs, they see it all. To them, I’m not just ‘mom’—I’m a business owner, a problem-solver, a dreamer, a doer. I’m showing them firsthand that women wear many hats, and every single one has value. It’s important they grow up knowing that work and motherhood aren’t mutually exclusive. That being a mom can mean showing up in many different roles—and that’s something to be proud of.
But I know every mother’s journey is different. Each family has its own story, its own needs, its own rhythm. And that’s the beauty of motherhood—there is no one right way. The strength we all carry, the quiet (and sometimes not-so-quiet) sacrifices we make, the way we tune into every detail of our children’s lives while juggling a million other things… it’s extraordinary.
Nobody but you truly knows how much thought you put into every meal, every bedtime, every school note, every hug. The mental load is real, but so is the love that fuels it. And that’s what makes you unstoppable.
This Mother’s Day, I don’t just celebrate mothers—I stand in awe of them. I reflect on the journey of becoming one. The first time I changed a diaper. The panic at the first cry. The nervous pediatrician calls over the tiniest sniffle. The agony and bliss of breastfeeding. The bottle-feeding battles that left me in tears. The “is my baby eating enough?” phase. The sleep regressions. The messy milestones. All of it. Every stage is filled with uncertainty and learning—but also immense love.
To every mom out there—especially those in the trenches, those building dreams, those holding everything together—I see you. I celebrate you.
Being a mother changed my life in every possible way. And it gave me the courage to take the leap into building not just one, but two businesses—TravelTod, where I get to create beautiful baby essentials, and Alma House, our haven for traveling families. I’m so grateful I did. I'm especially grateful to my husband, whose unwavering support has been the wind beneath my wings. It’s a journey that requires a village—and mine, I hold so close.
So today, I hope you pause and recognise your power. You deserve the world. You are the world to your little ones. Same as all our baby gift sets, this Mother's Day i curated a Gift Set for you- Breathe, Bloom and Be - because you deserve so much: an organiser, a bamboo towel for your little one and a moment of calm for you with a spa treatment. Hope you enjoy it, you gift it and you make the most out of this lovely day ahead.
Love,
Giselle