mom to mom with valerie

mom to mom with valerie

Meet Valerie Metz. 

A California beachside based content creator, lifestyle photographer, wife to Zach, and mama to her two kids Hendrix (3) and Rio (9months). I sat down with her (virtually) to hear her authentic truth, her story, her advice, her love. We hope that this conversation either guides you before becoming a mom or inspires you as a mom to know that you aren’t alone. #MomToMom

Q: Please introduce yourself, where you're from, and what you do.
Hi! My name is valerie metz. I live beachside in Costa Mesa, CA and i'm a lifestyle photographer and content creator.

Q: I am inspired by you and your hubby's love and your beautiful family. What's your story?
Thanks so much! My husband and I met when I was 18 and got engaged after FOUR months of dating! We got married really young and waited a few years before we (unexpectedly) added kids to our family. We now have two sweet babes and are in the process of fostering!

Q: What's your birth story? Was it easier with one kid than the other? Seamless all around? Any tips or thoughts you can share?
I had both kids in an amazing hospital with midwives. Both experiences went well- my first one was long and had a few hiccups and scares because it was taking so long to get him out but all went well. My second one was way easier and quicker, I think because my body already knew what it was doing. The best tip I could offer is to listen to your body! I had planned to go as natural as I could. The pain level with contractions was tolerable but I had NO idea I would feel so nauseous and be covered in chills. I was shaking uncontrollably and couldn't get my anxiety down so I ended up getting epidurals both times which calmed my mind and body down.

Q: How old were you when you had Hendrix? And how has the transition been seeing him as an older brother and now seeing yourself as a mommy of two?
I was 24 when I first became a mom! The transition has been really sweet. Hendrix has adjusted amazingly and loves his baby sis so well. He does crave one on one attention and acts naughty to me to get that attention so instead of getting bothered by his behavior, I prioritize quality time with him which always helps!


Q: What's been the most challenging parts of motherhood and the most rewarding parts?
The most challenging part of motherhood for me personally, has been the pressure it comes with. I sometimes romanticize what it would be like to raise kids 2 decades ago before social media. I have to be extra careful with what I allow myself to feel affected by because everyone's opinions will make me anxious and feel like I'm not doing enough. However, it is pretty amazing to have current research on parenting styles and effective discipline. The best parts have been watching my and my husbands personalities in tiny humans develop and it’s also been VERY healing for me to raise kids. There are some parts of my childhood that were rough and being able to learn and grow from those experiences has been redeeming.


Q: Do you feel like motherhood has transformed you in any way?
Yes its taught me (and currently still teaching me) what sacrifice is! I feel like i'm constantly learning to put my selfish and unhealthy aside and be the best version of myself for my family.

Q: What have you learned from your two lil's?
They've taught me to love endlessly!!! Even on bad days, I need to pull myself together and keep loving their pure and innocent souls. such good practice to love on others!

Q: Do you have a specific story or experience you want to share that either challenged you, uplifted you, was a beautiful moment –– anything.
I can’t recall a specific story but everyday is an adventure! (even on hard days) the most life giving moments are when we spend hours at the beach in the sunshine with the waves. our babes love playing there and we are just our happiest there!

Q: Do you have any advice for moms to be, current mamas, or women in general?
The best advice is to ASK FOR HELP! practice and normalize asking for extra hands! It's humbling for our kids to witness that and we take care of ourselves that way. Also listen to your body and your gut- only we know what's best for our families, we are all different!

Q: How do you take care of YOU? Do you have a routine that keeps you grounded?
Oh yes I do! I wake up (almost every morning) before the kids and sacrifice the extra hour of sleep for alone time. I do yoga, sip on some coffee, read, etc. I feel like I can start the day off better that way. My husband is also really good about pushing me to get alone time! I instantly feel refreshed after getting some alone time in or quality time with a close friend! 


you can follow along to see what val is up to on ig @mammafolk

We are going to continue posting more of these authentic stories, so like, comment, and share to your friends! If you know someone that you think would be a good fit for these interviews, please reach out to us at hello@allthebabies.co so we can tell their story and keep creating a #MomToMomMovement. 

all the babies.
all the love.
all the time.

 

 

Back to blog

12085 comments

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130984308942836&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130983942942836&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130983846942836&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130983744942836&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130986030942836&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130986006942836&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130985988942836&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130985982942836&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708692874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708668874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708662874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708386874036&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145709742874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145709610874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145709496874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145709406874036&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708692874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708668874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708662874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708386874036&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145710972874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145710846874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145710738874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145710630874036&type=3

fesfdefsd

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130984308942836&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130983942942836&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130983846942836&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130983744942836&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130986030942836&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130986006942836&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130985988942836&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130985982942836&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708692874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708668874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708662874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708386874036&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145709742874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145709610874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145709496874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145709406874036&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708692874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708668874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708662874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145708386874036&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145710972874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145710846874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145710738874036&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122145710630874036&type=3

fesfdefsd

https://laylo.com/vzajetidemonu4posledniritualy/mNBtBFMM/
https://laylo.com/vzajetidemonu4posledniritualy/loqJBBtU
https://laylo.com/vzajetidemonu4posledniritualy/uSIpHuMa
https://laylo.com/vzajetidemonu4posledniritualy/IDE9LgBe
https://laylo.com/vzajetidemonu4posledniritualy/kidsnYqR

https://laylo.com/dlouhypochod/bbch3BmU
https://laylo.com/dlouhypochod/PQVkl3gY
https://laylo.com/dlouhypochod/IDUvpwu7
https://laylo.com/dlouhypochod/82UcmLMs
https://laylo.com/dlouhypochod/xNONGdYH

https://laylo.com/demonslayerkimetsunoyaiba/kgUlZQZX
https://laylo.com/demonslayerkimetsunoyaiba/IWzZkF23
https://laylo.com/demonslayerkimetsunoyaiba/t4Vmvc2B
https://laylo.com/demonslayerkimetsunoyaiba/ARX5h0vi
https://laylo.com/demonslayerkimetsunoyaiba/EAQVr57m

https://laylo.com/srnky/wXUIfpRt
https://laylo.com/srnky/isO3tuwI
https://laylo.com/srnky/M9AF9Thv
https://laylo.com/srnky/pQcAPLku
https://laylo.com/srnky/YWG7NIDi

https://laylo.com/heidi-die-legende-vom-luchs/OD5yCfTT
https://laylo.com/heidi-die-legende-vom-luchs/gIXUx0ty
https://laylo.com/heidi-die-legende-vom-luchs/h3qlesA3
https://laylo.com/heidi-die-legende-vom-luchs/c9EpLILF
https://laylo.com/heidi-die-legende-vom-luchs/QLp0hD3s

https://laylo.com/13dni13noci/tmXrfGDb
https://laylo.com/13dni13noci/EKhzlYsZ
https://laylo.com/13dni13noci/48uVsAGw
https://laylo.com/13dni13noci/x9VczZkM
https://laylo.com/13dni13noci/r4IgzIQ0

https://laylo.com/panstvidownton/5vEHkVVv
https://laylo.com/panstvidownton/qiqUJlaC
https://laylo.com/panstvidownton/8eIb3u66
https://laylo.com/panstvidownton/TEc1EtXC
https://laylo.com/panstvidownton/JvcN0tEK

https://laylo.com/dzob/Yz2Y0pWE
https://laylo.com/dzob/pFSFiBsT
https://laylo.com/dzob/RPdaj4eX
https://laylo.com/dzob/KcweH99n
https://laylo.com/dzob/9Rlv2eC2

https://laylo.com/vysehrad-dvje/y68429lm
https://laylo.com/vysehrad-dvje/i3KQB3oE
https://laylo.com/vysehrad-dvje/jcEx8RJM
https://laylo.com/vysehrad-dvje/V7nj1tGR
https://laylo.com/vysehrad-dvje/CkH2PzU1

https://laylo.com/sbormistr/8lO0jIya
https://laylo.com/sbormistr/ePo4xn0K
https://laylo.com/sbormistr/62iLwER5
https://laylo.com/sbormistr/OhdeJ39A
https://laylo.com/sbormistr/cry3eJoG

https://laylo.com/wednesday-season2/MvQpNQYf
https://laylo.com/wednesday-season2/8DtEk03a
https://laylo.com/wednesday-season2/yJw18vVU
https://laylo.com/wednesday-season2/FzZ8NzAk
https://laylo.com/wednesday-season2/05JsyUJT

https://laylo.com/splitsville/gWwOyiHs
https://laylo.com/splitsville/CyDDg54l
https://laylo.com/splitsville/hSO4hxQu
https://laylo.com/splitsville/WxvwhrBF
https://laylo.com/splitsville/lVDhvt2I

https://laylo.com/nebezpecna-zvirata/Bzw6KUOA
https://laylo.com/nebezpecna-zvirata/GvSgE1AH
https://laylo.com/nebezpecna-zvirata/ovm6JTQd
https://laylo.com/nebezpecna-zvirata/3Qck5iFe
https://laylo.com/nebezpecna-zvirata/i60Dr7OW

fesfdefsd

https://band.link/UaCdm
https://band.link/1iAx3
https://band.link/LfvGR

https://band.link/74kWs
https://band.link/dHvT8
https://band.link/GV5mi
.
https://band.link/cXywU
https://band.link/SXB5C
https://band.link/BLqme

https://band.link/IK323
https://band.link/RRj1V
https://band.link/V3qY2
.
https://band.link/myZZi
https://band.link/NMRT2
https://band.link/8PXKl

https://band.link/gs1rz
https://band.link/Rvpqe
https://band.link/eCHJl
.
https://band.link/DUGWo
https://band.link/Y90dY
https://band.link/pn2w6

https://band.link/dDc3f
https://band.link/I7d0o
https://band.link/w48k6

13/9/25
https://band.link/jMPnv
https://band.link/0OOCC
https://band.link/TJLwX

https://band.link/KznaA
https://band.link/Ajfb8
https://band.link/kKC43
.
https://band.link/qeDlB
https://band.link/VT88s
https://band.link/Ks1Gw

https://band.link/SxPt1
https://band.link/yM1wY
https://band.link/PupD7
.
https://band.link/jmYe8
https://band.link/4QrSv
https://band.link/FozCl

https://band.link/o706e
https://band.link/CtqqI
https://band.link/JQ6tE
.
https://band.link/Dvhl8
https://band.link/RNceB
https://band.link/TTQmc

https://band.link/I7KtV
https://band.link/dFcvS
https://band.link/UZVi4

fesfdefsd

https://laylo.com/primitivewar/uYXBGoel
https://laylo.com/primitivewar/EtvfvaNa
https://laylo.com/primitivewar/wHWeHOL5
https://laylo.com/primitivewar/cmnktpsR
https://laylo.com/primitivewar/67gHpBLV

https://laylo.com/denstyggestesosteren/ee3pbGc1
https://laylo.com/denstyggestesosteren/8rmtsmUa
https://laylo.com/denstyggestesosteren/Gp6LCaJs
https://laylo.com/denstyggestesosteren/ogmyACCj
https://laylo.com/denstyggestesosteren/FOkk3zSO

https://laylo.com/demonslayer/1N8za9Zm
https://laylo.com/demonslayer/i9IzTp0X
https://laylo.com/demonslayer/aYf02pxJ
https://laylo.com/demonslayer/VxYKyfzP
https://laylo.com/demonslayer/VxYKyfzP

https://laylo.com/theconjuringlastrites/HprGOQp5
https://laylo.com/theconjuringlastrites/Ay0dgH9z
https://laylo.com/theconjuringlastrites/CvcXihfU
https://laylo.com/theconjuringlastrites/aVZGs55I
https://laylo.com/theconjuringlastrites/cBXzyzCo

https://laylo.com/thelongwalk/QY4NRDFF
https://laylo.com/thelongwalk/dfq9n1Ar
https://laylo.com/thelongwalk/KpTvOy50
https://laylo.com/thelongwalk/dNFR1LyP
https://laylo.com/thelongwalk/OC2d7VSt

https://laylo.com/honeydont/kSWGXCYs
https://laylo.com/honeydont/9WVKZtbe
https://laylo.com/honeydont/HidUpnkD
https://laylo.com/honeydont/T4AK6AH7
https://laylo.com/honeydont/czLbZpOA

https://laylo.com/amulherquemorreudepe/4tegZE2D
https://laylo.com/amulherquemorreudepe/vzCbBlPZ
https://laylo.com/amulherquemorreudepe/yFTUs7Cd
https://laylo.com/amulherquemorreudepe/atwrcG6a
https://laylo.com/amulherquemorreudepe/hwjTXQ6U

https://laylo.com/superman/EXQdNJO2
https://laylo.com/superman/H8K8Tpgb
https://laylo.com/superman/Es1P8TTl
https://laylo.com/superman/cySj8FlX
https://laylo.com/superman/Fl2wNfDw

https://laylo.com/f1/PUNreTGw
https://laylo.com/f1/plo8cjPJ
https://laylo.com/f1/PBeyIsTQ
https://laylo.com/f1/bzfVF6ol
https://laylo.com/f1/9tcJMFrX

https://laylo.com/oquartetofantastico/3bHx3lSz
https://laylo.com/oquartetofantastico/pTK1S2wK
https://laylo.com/oquartetofantastico/LXfZweF4
https://laylo.com/oquartetofantastico/k1ZJNcvm
https://laylo.com/oquartetofantastico/w87IqZN3

https://laylo.com/thebadguys2/j1ePjPmy
https://laylo.com/thebadguys2/C7V8UYLq
https://laylo.com/thebadguys2/z1380Uyh
https://laylo.com/thebadguys2/DnlDXBhA
https://laylo.com/thebadguys2/OG3EXOD0
https://laylo.com/demon-slayer/0XAAxWIF
https://laylo.com/demon-slayer/x6bYWNhg
https://laylo.com/demon-slayer/14LEQz33
https://laylo.com/demon-slayer/1kKOmZM9
https://laylo.com/demon-slayer/uZiiwzKp

https://laylo.com/thelongwalk-odesafio/ajVaBCyw
https://laylo.com/thelongwalk-odesafio/duTSeG7t
https://laylo.com/thelongwalk-odesafio/bWYUE8Gx
https://laylo.com/thelongwalk-odesafio/avXwxRfW
https://laylo.com/thelongwalk-odesafio/nO3l3Wod

fesfdefsd

Leave a comment

Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!