When women give, everyone gains

Reflections from our community


Women, throughout generations, have always been connected by invisible threads. Encouragement offered, wisdom shared, stories told, and quiet acts of support that link one woman to another across friendships, families and cultures.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Give to Gain,’ celebrates that exchange. We hear from Kim Crossman, actor, storyteller and new mum; Laura Campbell, creator celebrating play and toddler life at @learning.from.my.little.ones; Ainsley Hibbard, BabyRest Sales Representative and mum; and Cathy McCormick from Holistic Baby, whose work supports families through the early years.

From their raw and honest reflections, a simple truth emerges. What we receive from others - wisdom, courage, support - rarely stops with us. It shapes what we go on to give.

The trenches of motherhood are one place where this becomes especially visible. A season that can challenge our identities, yet through the support of other women often leads to a deeper, more layered sense of self.

These are their reflections.

You’ve shared pregnancy and postpartum with such honesty. Has there been power in giving your vulnerability publicly? What have you gained through that openness?

It’s funny really, the things that I feel most embarrassed about or insecure about are often the pieces that have connected me most deeply with others. As a result, I feel like we have created a beautiful community. I wouldn’t have Coco if it weren’t for being honest about my fertility struggles. It was the advice and guidance from people online that helped me try new and different things that ultimately resulted in me being able to conceive. I am forever grateful.

As someone navigating motherhood across countries and career commitments, what have you had to surrender and what has surprised you in return?

I am having to part ways with being so result oriented and redefine what productive looks like. I have always had a bit of an addiction to achievement, so learning to be still, to go slower, and to truly enjoy this season is a powerful lesson. I do not want to miss anything, and that has required me to surrender some of my old habits. The constant striving, the over-scheduling, the need to measure my worth by output. I am consciously giving up patterns that no longer serve me to make space for healthier ones, more presence, more softness, more trust.

Being in the moment does not always come naturally to me. Sometimes it feels uncomfortable because I am wired to look ahead to the next goal, the next milestone, the next thing. I often have to remind myself to be where my feet are.

The slower pace has definitely been an adjustment, but what has surprised me is how much clarity and connection have come in return. When I loosen my grip on results, I gain deeper moments, stronger intuition, and a sense that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

You surrounded yourself with women in your early motherhood days, from educators to friends and family, who all held you through such a transformative time. What did their presence teach you about female community? Your baby shower was such a beautiful picture of this!

Omg, the importance of the sisterhood is real. Female energy is the best. I was just writing about this. For too long we have been pitted against each other. There is nothing more magical than women supporting women, and we all benefit. Women are incredible.

There’s something deeply generational about becoming a mother - you’re suddenly both someone’s daughter and someone’s mum. Has motherhood shifted how you see the women who came before you?

In all honesty, I didn’t think it would shift me as much as it has. You can only know what you know. I was close with my mum and sister before, and my late nana, who Coco is named after, Joan. But learning how beautifully consuming motherhood is, in the best way, has shone a light on how epic the women in my family are. They managed to be independent, build careers, and continue to thrive in so many other areas too. I think I am most impressed by the capacity in which women can function and thrive.

In an industry that can be demanding and transient, what does building other women up look like to you now, as someone who has been in it since you were young?

I don’t think that has changed. I am always a cheerleader for others. The only difference is that I am more impressed by everyone, haha. I have been humbled a lot in these last few months, and I think I just see people in ways I didn’t before. In terms of my career, everything I thought would prevent me from booking work, like being pregnant or having a new baby, has actually done the opposite. It has opened new doors and more opportunities.



Who was one of the first women you looked up to and do you recognise parts of her in the woman you are today?

My mum. She always just got on with it. No need for praise, just a constant, steady presence. I see her in the way I problem-solve, the way I push through when I’m exhausted, and the way I instinctively put family first. I’m softer in some ways, but that resilience? That’s hers.

As you’ve grown in your career, what have you learned about the way women show up for one another?

As I’ve grown in my career, I’ve learned that the most meaningful progress doesn’t happen alone. It comes from women who share their knowledge openly, back you in rooms you’re not always sure you belong in, and genuinely celebrate your wins. When women choose collaboration over competition, it builds confidence - not just capability. The older I get, the more intentional I am about being that kind of support for others.

Through your work, you meet women standing on the edge of big life transitions… What do you feel you gain from being part of those moments?

Perspective and privilege, every single time. Preparing for a baby and growing a family are emotional, vulnerable and incredibly significant transitions. Since becoming a mum myself, I feel those moments differently. I understand the mix of excitement and uncertainty that sits side by side.

Being invited into that space keeps me humble. It reminds me why the work matters beyond numbers or targets. There’s something really special about playing even a small role in someone’s confidence during such a defining time in their life.

Since becoming a mum yourself, have you started to see the women in your own family differently?

Completely. I used to think I understood what they carried. I didn’t. The mental load alone is something you can’t truly grasp until you’re carrying it yourself - the constant thinking, planning, anticipating. I have so much more appreciation now, not just for the big sacrifices, but for the daily ones. The invisible ones. It’s made me softer towards them, and a lot more grateful.

You’re raising a beautiful little boy, Bradley. As he grows up, how do you hope he sees and speaks about the women around him?

I hope he grows up seeing women as strong, capable and deserving of respect - not because someone tells him to, but because that’s what he witnesses every day. I want him to speak about women with kindness and admiration, to value emotional intelligence as much as ambition, and to understand that partnership means equality. Most of all, I hope he grows up surrounded by women who model confidence and compassion, so that respect becomes second nature to him. That feels like one of the most important parts of raising him.

Your platform is rooted in generosity, sharing ideas, activities and inspiration freely. What moved you to start giving in that way? 

I was really inspired by the play setups and activities I was seeing shared by other mums and as our playroom grew and we gathered resources, I wanted to join that community of mums bonding on play with their kids and being playful themselves! 

This year’s IWD theme is 'Give to Gain'. When you look back on your transition to motherhood, what kind of support from other women made the biggest difference to you? Has that changed the way you show up for or see the women in your life?

The biggest difference has come from a fellow mum with a Bub similar age to mine who I have met up with almost every week since my son was born. When we met it gave us both an opportunity to share what we were struggling with,  the small wins and just to vent. We message each other all the time an even just through messenger, it makes such a difference to know there is someone there to listen and relate. I definitely appreciate now that it’s that support that makes the most impact, and that a solution offered is not always needed, just someone to listen. So I try to give that back as much as I can. 

There’s something powerful about women gathering - even digitally - to say 'yes, me too' and even little 'you’ve got this'- type encouragements. What does fostering a positive, safe female space online like your channel mean to you?

It’s funny how some people you meet online become closer to you than the people you know in real life! I have made some great, truly supportive friends through my channel and it’s my favourite thing about the play community is sharing and supporting each other . 

If you could sit down with your Year 12 self, on the cusp of adulthood, what would you tell her about becoming a woman? And what do you wish she knew then about the power of women supporting women?

Growing up I always felt a bit out of place and struggled a lot with mental health concerns which got in the way of me participating socially and making friends. I would tell that year 12 girl that you will gain so much confidence as you grow into adulthood and there will be a time the world isn’t so scary and you will feel included and like you belong.

With beautiful baby Bronte now in your arms, International Women’s Day feels especially poignant. What kind of world do you hope she experiences as she grows, and what does raising a daughter shift in you?

It feels slightly daunting raising a daughter when I feel like my own experience with emotional health and emotional intelligence growing up wasn’t great. I want to make sure I support her to feel confident in herself and secure to explore the world knowing our love will always be there to fall back on no matter what. 

You’ve supported women through some of their most vulnerable moments for years. How long have you been in the baby space and what does 'Give to Gain' mean to you when you’re sitting beside a new or expectant mother? 

For over 30 years, I have walked alongside women in the baby space - as a nurse, midwife, certified lactation consultant, and member of the Fussy Baby Network.

I journey with women through pregnancy, the postnatal period, and beyond. For some, this road is smooth or gently undulating. For others, it is wild, steep, and deeply challenging. No matter the terrain, this season of life is often one of profound vulnerability.

A woman is navigating immense physical changes, powerful emotions, shifting identity, and the influence of the world around her. It is a time when she needs steadiness, safety, and trust. I believe that when we give a mother a place to settle - a place where she feels seen, heard, and supported - we all gain. As she begins to trust herself, she thrives. Her baby thrives. And the confidence she builds is not only for this season, but something she carries forward into her life and any future pregnancies.

Supporting mothers is not just about physical care. It is about nurturing inner confidence, resilience and trust - foundations that last far beyond the early days.

Can you describe a moment when you’ve helped something 'click' for a new mother - when she realises “I can do this”? What was that like to witness?

In the Fussy Baby Network, we call it observing connected moments. It is that “aha” moment when a mother begins to truly see her baby - and herself. When she makes a choice based on understanding rather than fear. When she recognises what she has done, why she has done it, and how it has shaped her baby’s response.

In that moment, something shifts. She doesn’t just feel relief, she feels confidence. She feels connection. She feels capable. That deep understanding builds trust in herself and strengthens her bond with her baby. It is not about doing things perfectly. It is about becoming attuned, responsive, and secure in her own knowing.

These connected moments are small on the outside, but transformational on the inside.

Have you ever crossed paths with a woman years later and seen the ripple effect of that early support in her life or family? How do you feel in those full-circle moments?

It was actually quite a humorous question for me. Last week, I was at the vegetable store when a mum approached me and said, “You probably don’t remember me, but you looked after me eight years ago.” I admitted I couldn’t remember her name. But when I asked where she had lived, I suddenly remembered her house, and that she had an older child at the time. Her face lit up.

I continued shopping, and a little while later she reappeared, this time with her children, now eight and four, whom she had gone to get from the car. She asked if she could take a photo of me with her children so she could show her husband and place it in their old baby books.

In that moment, I felt deeply connected and valued as a practitioner. As midwives we have a model of care called partnership so walking along side mothers not leading the charge. It reminded me how easily we can underplay the value of care. The support a mother receives in those early days can shape her experience in ways that ripple forward, influencing not just the newborn phase, but the child that baby becomes, and the adult they will one day be. It begins with a mother feeling supported, seen, and steadied at the very start.

In those sacred moments in birthing or postpartum spaces, when women hold and steady one another, what shifts in the energy - not just for the mother, but in the room itself?

I facilitate mother support groups where women gather to share their experiences and stories. In those conversations, something powerful happens. Mothers begin to realise they are not alone. They see that others are navigating similar challenges, doubts, and joys. They discover that “normal” is highly variable, and that there is no single right way to move through early motherhood.

When women sit together in honesty and openness, perspective shifts. Worry softens. Comparison eases. Confidence begins to grow. Calm breeds calm. Positive energy creates space for more positive experiences.

When a mother feels supported, she becomes more flexible. When she becomes more flexible, she feels more capable. And each small adjustment builds confidence. Motherhood does not require perfection, it requires connection, reassurance, and the courage to trust oneself.

What’s a belief about women that has deepened for you over time? And when you think about the women in your own life, what do you  treasure most about those relationships?

I think the women in my own life are pretty amazing. My mother had six children. Cloth nappies. Minimal support. It was not easy. Yet she carried on with resilience and quiet strength. I see this and often I gather strength from her.

I deeply treasure the women around me who encourage me to be strong when I need it. I do a lot of sport, and many of the women I train alongside are true inspirations. They are mothers, professionals, carers, leaders, and yet they show up with determination and heart.

I see the hard work ethic. I see the grit. I see the perseverance and the patience. I see women who are tired but still turn up. Women who doubt themselves but keep going. Women who balance so much and still find the courage to challenge themselves physically and mentally.

Being surrounded by that strength reminds me that resilience is not loud or dramatic. Often it is quiet, consistent, steady. And it reinforces what I believe in my work - that women already carry immense capability within them. Sometimes they simply need someone to reflect it back to them.

Every woman I meet comes into motherhood with a whole life already behind her; a story shaped by challenges, relationships, losses, triumphs, and growth. She does not begin at pregnancy; she arrives with years of lived experience. Often, she becomes the steady hand others see, the one who rises to the occasion when a baby is born.

There is a deep capacity within women to step forward with strength. And yet, the responsibility can feel enormous. Overwhelming. The weight of caring for a new life while navigating her own physical recovery and emotional landscape is no small task. Inner strength is not something a mother finds once and keeps forever. Believing in herself can be a daily practice - and sometimes a daily challenge.

That is why support matters. Because even the strongest women deserve to feel held, reassured and reminded of their capability. 


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