Mom Blogger Monday: Monica Gomez

Taking Back Monday

Monica Gomez is a SoCal mom of three kids, Christian 14, Maya, 7 and Leo, 4. She grew up in a small town in the Midwest and took a leap of faith to move to Los Angeles in 2005.

“It was the best decision I ever made,” she says.

In LA, she worked in the news business but when she gave up her career as a news researcher at NBC Los Angeles, she felt inclined to keep writing. She was on full-time mommy duties and creating her blog, Taking Back Monday, gave her the creative outlet she had sought. It also became a type of mom support site for other women in their motherhood journeys. As Monica will explain in the following Q&A, Taking Back Monday was truly something she tackled in order to eliminate motherhood fears, concerns and anxiety she would experience every time a weekend ended and the thought of her husband leaving Monday morning to return to his work routine–– came to mind.

“I consider self-care to be of utmost importance since becoming a mom. I refuse to feel guilty about spa days, brunch with girlfriends or any other time that helps me feel like myself. It makes me a better mother,” says Monica.

Monica loves worldly adventures. She has snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, wine tasted in New Zealand and toured the Colosseum in Rome. She and her husband traveled to Tahiti in February. “I think I have the travel bug again!,” she says.

“Drown out the noise around you and tune into what your heart is telling you”

— Monica Gomez

Congratulations on your blog, Monica! Keep writing and sharing life stories. We love to read them!

What inspired you to become a blogger?

When my littlest kiddos were ages 3 and 1, I began to really dread Mondays. I would be overcome with such anxiety on Sunday nights thinking of my husband going to work in the morning. I decided I needed some sort of creative outlet. I worked for a news show in LA prior to becoming a mother, and wanted to keep up my writing. So I launched Taking Back Monday for several reasons. I wanted other moms to feel less alone and know that I also think motherhood is HARD – I knew I wanted to keep things real on my blog. I also needed something that was my own and separate from my kiddos. And lastly, writing is like therapy for me. It’s what makes me feel most alive. And seeing my finished work in print brings me such satisfaction.

What is your proudest Mommy Blogger Moment?

Years ago, I wrote an article on a defining moment in my daughter’s life and I’ve since had it published on various outlets. I think we can learn so much from our kids and their bravery. It was such a simple moment really, but it made me realize that taking the next step always pays off. That article can be found here: http://takingbackmonday.com/on-being-brave/

What’s your favorite place to take the kids in LA?

We took them to the Rose Parade last year and we’re taking them again in January. They loved it so much they talk about it every couple of weeks STILL!

What’s your favorite LA hang out without the kids?

Bestia! I am obsessed with their food and vibe.

What’s your best motherhood advice?

To always listen to your own instincts. Try and drown out the noise around you and tune into what your heart is telling you. You are your child’s voice and advocate. Remember you are the one who knows him/her best.