#MOMLIFE WITH NADIA

Looking for inspiration + ideas for things to do with kids in Metro Detroit? Tried and true suggestions that real moms actually do? Here they are! Hungry Howie’s appreciates Moms and joins LittleGuide Detroit in spotlighting a local Mom each week in the #MomLife series. To take one thing off her plate and give her more time for fun, Hungry Howie’s is giving each week’s featured Mom a free pizza dinner for her and her family to enjoy. Thank you Hungry Howie’s for being the Official Pizza of Moms.

Are you following @nadiamatina on Instagram? Nadia is a local metro Detroit mom who loves to share her fun family adventures around town, travel ideas, and adorable pics of her little guy!

Meet Nadia

Hi there! My name is Nadia and I’m a boy mama to Logan (2) with a second baby boy- Lawson, on the way in May! I grew up in Grosse Pointe, MI with my partner Shane. We were best friends growing up as kids who managed to rekindle out of college. After having Logan we decided the best option for us was for me to become a SAHM. And being as raw and real as possible, this was challenging for me. Prior to having children, I really enjoyed freedom, social events, and doing what I wanted, when I wanted.

My pregnancy was really rough and my birth story with Logan was complicated and didn’t happen the way I wanted it to. I battled a little post-partum depression afterward and felt like I lost myself and who I was after having Logan. This was hard on all of us. And I think we need to normalize this for moms. Normalize that what we go through is damn challenging: the struggles during pregnancy, the body changes we deal with, the hormonal struggles after birth, the pressure of breastfeeding, and just simply trying to be the “best” mom we can be. I’ve felt all those struggles in the beginning. It’s tough, tough, stuff on your mind, body, and family. I applaud all the mommas who grab motherhood by the hand and just roll with it. I wanted to be that mom for my son. So I had to make a mindset shift for my family. It didn’t happen overnight, but I started thinking in a positive light- look at the battles I’ve conquered, look at who I’ve become in the process, and look at how much I’ve grown as a person, as a MOTHER! We can start to appreciate it ALL with this mindset. We can start to realize we haven’t “lost” ourselves at all… better yet we’ve become someone new a stronger, wiser, bada** version of the old us. That mindset saved me! And not to mention having the amazing support of my partner, friends, and family. I’ve fully jumped into motherhood and all the hardships and happiness that comes with it, while still feeling like me and catering to my needs too. Balance is everything!

During the summer months you can find us visiting any and every park around us, swimming, biking and of course ending every night with ice cream! Winter months are hard to keep a little man busy, but we try and find something new to do weekly and of course, try out as many different crafts and projects as we can… not to mention a good target run here and there- it’s good for the soul!!!

Favorite Ways To Spend Family Time:

Vacations – there’s so many amazing places to see and visit!
Day dates on the weekend – going somewhere new and trying out a new restaurant together for lunch before nap time!
Making sitting down at the dining room table for dinner a priority and talking about our day.

Favorite Places To Go:

Favorite Bedtime Stories:

Favorite Family Friendly Restaurants:

Best Park/Playground: Walter and Mary Burke Park (New Baltimore)

This park is right on Lake St Clair with beach access. Not only does it have a fun playscape area, but there’s also picnic space, kayak rentals, and your right in downtown New Baltimore near fun ma and pa shops, restaurants, and ice cream shops!

Best Family-Friendly Annual Event: Vacation to Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is a fun family trip for the week or weekend. It’s full of fun things to do with the family and is so beautiful during spring/summe

Your Mom Must-Have: NoseFrida

The FridaBaby NoseFrida is an absolute must because how else can you get in your babies/toddler’s small nose to get all the snot and boogies?

Best Winter Destination or Event: Glenlore Trails (Commerce Twp.)

Glenlore Trails is a super fun experience with the kiddos. The entire forest is lit up and decorated and it’s absolutely beautiful.

“Pat Yourself on the Back” Accomplishment: Motherhood!

Fully embracing motherhood and being the best mom I can be for me and my family.

Our #MomLife Series is Presented by Hungry Howie’s – the Official Pizza of Moms!

About Ashley Hubbbard-Porter

Ashley Porter is a Chicago native who now calls Birmingham home. Ashley and her husband Mike and son Jake love attending local festivals, exploring Detroit’s diverse food scene, and venturing outside of Metro Detroit to enjoy the natural beauty of Michigan. With a background in Early Childhood Education, Ashley loves connecting with and supporting families in her community, which is why she is so excited to be a part of LittleGuide Detroit.