Mama of three, Yael Cohen Braun is the best friend/ mentor/ boss/ mom you wish you had. Born in South Africa, Yael is known and celebrated for starting the non-profit, Fuck Cancer, after her own mother’s cancer diagnosis in 2009. With accolades like being named in Forbes 30 under 30 list for marketing and acting as a Senior Advisor for Bumble, it’s no surprise that on top of her charity work and entrepreneurial ventures, Yael also runs the unapologetically honest parenting website, Motherlucker, where she provides a space for parents to share the good, the bad and the Instagram-worthy ugly.

YAEL ON MOTHERHOOD

1. What’s the most challenging thing about motherhood? Balance. Your life changes in an instant and for me personally it took me a second to figure out my new normal. I struggled to balance motherhood, work, friends, and being a wife. I can’t say that I’m there yet, but I’m a lot closer than I was. I actively work to make sure I am as invested in being a great wife as I am in being a great mom, that I find time for friends and that I don’t feel guilty when I work. All of these things make me a way better mom and a way happier human.
2. How have you changed since becoming a mother? I see so much more beauty in the benign. To see the awe in your child’s face over a firetruck or the moon lets you appreciate things so much more. I’m weirdly grateful to people who put up Halloween or holiday decorations, because they give my children so much joy. Mostly I’m better at saying no, because I’d rather say yes to time with my kids than any social engagement.
3. What’s the most important piece of advice your mom gave you and do you have any advice for your kids as they grow up? My mom has given me all my best advice, she is everything I want to be as a mother and I’m so grateful to be able to learn from her as a mom and a woman. She told me when JJ was first born (and I was maybe not making that much time for my husband) that I was a wife first, and it was important for me to still make time to make my husband feel loved. For kids to grow up in a home and see their parents love each other is one of the best things we can give/show them.
4. What are three key attributes you want to impart on your kids and why? I want them to be kind, curious, empathetic, and resilient. I know it’s 4 but that’s hard enough! I think leading with kindness is always important, it means we give patience and grace in our interactions. Curiosity means the kids will always ask questions and keep learning. They will think for themselves. Empathetic, because this world needs a lot more empathy. Resilient because life won’t always be easy or simple and I want to raise children who get back up and figure it out.
5. With such a busy life and so many career hats, what are your absolute non-negotiables to keep you and your family centered? We show up for each other. Nothing, and I mean nothing is more important than each other. Than being there to support and love each other. I am present when I’m present, meaning my physical presence is not enough, my mental and emotional presence is what’s important. It’s easy to think you’re in the same room so that’s enough but it’s not, kids have to feel seen and important. I always let me kids know that they are important, their thoughts are important.