Did you ever wonder what happens when you’re an American in Paris getting mixed messages from two different cultures and your husband is Italian so there’s a third culture at play and you’re expecting twins? I don’t know, but today’s guest Kate Woska does! In this episode we talk about utilizing what resonates from all of the information available. How different cultures can inform our experiences in positive and negative ways. 

You know how I always say that there’s not ONE right way, there’s only YOUR right way? Well Kate is living that statement to the absolute fullest. 

I don’t usually gush THIS hard on my guests, even though I love all of them, but Kate Woska is special. Kate and I met ten years ago because our dogs fell in love. 

Really. 

Walter Alter and Virgil were both puppies, living in the same building, and it was besheret (yiddish for meant to be). Walter has a thing for small, blonde, fluffy haired dogs and Virgil has a thing for clunky heads and broad shoulders. 

Originally from Florida, Kate now lives in Paris with her Italian husband. I bring this up not to make you all jealous (although that is totally fair), but because as she navigated a twin pregnancy, childbirth, recovery, and motherhood she had input from THREE different cultures. 

It’s complicated navigating and finding your center in ONE culture with varying and often opposing views on being a woman and becoming a mother, but THREE?!

That’s enough to send anyone spiralling. With that much information it would be impossible to feel successful as a mother. 

But for Kate, she says f*ck it. 

Instead of getting caught in the crossfire she’s cherry picking her way through motherhood. Drawing from these three diverse cultures, multiple languages, and different time zones she intentionally curates her and her family’s lives. She’s taking the positive aspects of each and tossing the negative out with the bathwater.

We tend to think that we have to choose a lane in motherhood.

If my intention is to have a homebirth, that means I will also bedshare, exclusively breastfeed past one year, babywear, and a whole bunch of other things in that realm.

Or if I elect to have a c section, I will formula feed, the baby will sleep in a separate room ASAP, and the baby nurse will handle overnight feeds.

But like, who says that’s the case?

Like I get that in college when you chose your major you needed to complete certain classes in order to earn your degree. But motherhood isn’t college. 

Or is it? I mean, there are a lot of all nighters… 

Anyway, Motherhood is more like attending NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study. You not only choose your degree, you curate which courses make up that area of expertise. 

Speaking of NYU, Kate studied at NYU Stern. 

Her brilliance is matched only by her kindness. She is truly the kind of friend you dream about. I am so lucky to have her in my life and have the chance to share her with YOU!

Resources: 

• Download your FREE guide to the 20 Things No One Tells You About Pregnancy and Postpartum, visit www.alissa-alter.com.
• Join our private Facebook community Mom’s Club for the community of like minded, intentional moms hanging out in a 100% judgement free zone you’ve always dreamed of.

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