the book
While the birth of a child is widely celebrated, the profound transformation a woman undergoes as she steps into motherhood-known as matrescence-is equally life-altering. Just as adolescence marks the shift from childhood to adulthood, matrescence reshapes a woman's entire sense of self as she transitions from maiden to mother.
The Mother Year is a 365-day guiding light for new mothers navigating the early stages of motherhood. Each entry features a simple yet powerful structure: a daily theme, a prayer, and a small sip of self-care that integrates easily into daily life.
The Mother Year is a must-have companion for mothers in their first year, offering a spark of inspiration, a divinity dip and a gentle reminder of the strength in the quiet depths of motherhood
It nourishes the soul without overwhelming, offering moments of reflection and inspiration.
The Mother Year is a compilation of daily reflections for your first year of matrescence
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WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD •
This new chapter mirrors the cyclical dance of nature, each season carrying its own essence and themes. It begins with Autumn, where you gather the harvest of your labor, welcoming your baby into the world while releasing the remnants of your former maiden self. Winter follows, a time of profound introspection and metamorphosis; this is where the deep inner work occurs and requires time and space for healing and recovery to full recalibrate for the season ahead.
As Spring arrives, the soil of your soul softens, and new dreams and intentions are gently sown—nurturing both yourself and your child. In this season, you cultivate the tender shoots of your evolving life, laying the groundwork for the blossoming to come. By Summer, those seeds begin to unfurl, and you step more fully into your role as Mother, embracing the fullness of your new identity.
The Mother Year unfolds in four seasons
A testament to the truth that the journey of postpartum extends far beyond the fourth trimester—it is, in fact, a lifelong voyage.
Autumn:
SHEDDING THE MAIDEN SELF
“We are all broken, that is how the light gets in.”
The First Quarter: Releasing, Unraveling, Welcoming
WINTER:
BECOMING THE MOTHER
“Enjoy the space between where you are and where you are going.”
The Second Quarter: Death - Recovery – Recalibration
SPRING:
SEEDS OF THE MOTHER
“How lovely is the silence of growing things.”
The Third Quarter: Growth - Experimentation - Renovation
SUMMER:
the mother's bloom
“May the flowers remind us why the rain was so necessary.”
The Final Quarter: Awakening - Expansion - Integration
Love Notes
"The Mother Year feels like having a trusted friend walking beside you through motherhood. Chelsey’s words are raw, real, and comforting, making you feel understood in the highs and lows. This book was a lifeline for me in my first year as a mom."
— HEATHER
Love Notes
"This book is like a warm hug. Chelsey beautifully captures the journey of matrescence, and the seasonal structure mirrors the natural shifts in motherhood. The Mother Year helped me find peace in the chaos and joy in the small moments."
— OLIVIA
Love Notes
"If you're a new mom, The Mother Year is a must. Each day, Chelsey’s words bring comfort and strength, reminding you that you're not alone in this journey. The daily reflections are a gift of love and wisdom for any mother."
— CAMMY
Love Notes
"The Mother Year is a treasure for new mothers. Every entry feels like a little burst of hope, helping me navigate the tough days and celebrate the joyful ones. Chelsey’s honest reflections made my first year feel less overwhelming and more magical."
— MONICA
Love Notes
"Chelsey Scaffidi’s The Mother Year is a beautiful companion for the journey of motherhood. Her authentic voice and seasonal approach made me reflect deeply on my own growth as a mother. This book is pure comfort and inspiration."
— JANE
WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD • WISDOM FOR tHE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD •
In this period of profound transformation, she recorded daily voice notes throughout her first year, capturing the raw, real-time experience of becoming a mother. In listening back through those voicenotes, she realized there was so much that she would say to that version of herself – who was tired, tender, and transforming. To the woman who felt lost and found in the same breath as she was finding her footing as a mother.
Chelsey Scaffidi is a mother of two, meditation teacher, social impact lawyer, and author of The Mother Year
ABOUT
During her pregnancy, she focused on preparing for her baby’s birth, never imagining how she would be reborn herself
In it, she shares her transformation in the journey of matrescence, offering a guiding light for other mothers to navigate their own unfolding with mindfulness, self-compassion, and connection.
Chelsey advocates for matrescence awareness, guiding mothers to embrace the messy beauty of motherhood with strength and grace through The Mother Year and in-person circles and events. She lives in Austin with her husband, Zac and their two sons, Crusoe and Shiloh.
