Courtesy of Bérangère Bégout
- After giving birth twice in a year, I knew I didn’t want to return to a traditional job.
- Brands wanted to partner with me after they found my blog, and my kids were getting a lot for free.
- I’m glad I found a way to be a stay-at-home mom, build a career, and give my kids everything.
When I became a mother, everything in my life shifted overnight. Within twelve months, I had given birth twice. My son was only a few months old when I found out I was pregnant again. It was overwhelming, joyful, and exhausting all at once.
One thing was clear to me from the start: I didn’t want to return to a traditional job. The thought of leaving my babies in day care and commuting to an office felt impossible. I wanted to be there for every milestone: their first smiles, first steps, and the little everyday moments that can so easily slip by.
But while my heart was set on staying home, reality raised its hand. My children would need clothes, toys, and school supplies. My husband and I wanted to give them the best childhood possible, not just the bare minimum. How could I both stay home and provide for them?
I already had a fashion blog, and it opened unexpected doors
Luckily, I wasn’t starting from zero. A year before my first pregnancy, I launched a fashion blog as a creative outlet. In the early 2010s, it was the golden age of blogging. Readers loved personal stories mixed with outfit inspiration, and brands were eager to collaborate with bloggers who had even a modest following.
When I announced my first pregnancy on the blog, I noticed more traffic and comments than ever before. Readers wanted to know about maternity clothes, baby gear, and how I was juggling it all. Then, just three months after my son’s birth, I shared the news of my second pregnancy. That’s when things truly snowballed.
Partnership offers flooded my inbox. Suddenly, I wasn’t just writing for fun; I was becoming a partner to companies that wanted to reach young mothers like me.
My children grew up with opportunities I never expected
Those early partnerships changed everything. I never bought a stroller, a car seat, or even most of my children’s clothes. They arrived at my door through collaborations with brands eager to feature their products on my blog.
It went far beyond the essentials. Thanks to blogging and later my Instagram presence, we were invited on family vacations, treated to magical days at Disneyland, and even went on a cruise. For a young mother who had worried about how to provide, it felt surreal.
My children grew up with opportunities I could never have given them otherwise. They had the latest toys, adorable outfits, and unforgettable experiences. I loved seeing their eyes light up when we traveled or when a big package arrived. For me, the blog became more than a creative project. It was a way of giving my kids a childhood filled with joy.
Of course, it wasn’t always effortless. Behind the glossy photos and cheerful posts, there were sleepless nights, a messy house, and the constant juggle of feeding babies while answering partnership emails. But knowing that my work at home was directly contributing to their happiness gave me the motivation to keep going.
Blogging reshaped my career path
What surprised me most was how blogging reshaped not just our family life but also my professional one. At first, it felt like a temporary solution, something that would help me through the baby years. But it turned into so much more.
A media group discovered my blog and reached out with an unexpected offer: They wanted me to write for them. That opportunity gave me the confidence to transition into freelance journalism, a career path I still follow today. It all began because I decided to share my motherhood journey online.
Now, my children are 12 and 13. They’re old enough to remember those brand trips and the excitement of new packages arriving. They tease me sometimes about being “one of the first influencers,” and while I collaborate with brands much less frequently today, we still receive occasional offers.
Looking back, I never set out to become an influencer. I simply wanted to stay close to my children and give them the best life I could. What started as a way to spoil them ended up transforming not only their childhood but also my entire career.
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