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Real talk on motherhood, mindset & the messy middle.

I’m Gill Townsend, founder of The Mama Assembly™, a space where motherhood, midlife, and momentum collide (sometimes gracefully, often chaotically).

The Mama Edit is home to mini-series and musings on the mental load, identity, ambition, and parenting, the real side of motherhood in a fast-changing world.

It’s the unfiltered side of motherhood, the thoughts we all have but rarely say out loud. You’ll find reflections, relatable reads, and stories that remind you you’re not alone in the chaos.

☕ Grab a coffee and dive in, because this is where real life gets edited, not airbrushed.

Part of The Mama Assembly™, The Mama Edit is a creative space for real mums finding balance, purpose, and a little magic in the messy middle.

The Mama Edit – Real Stories, Motherhood & Mindset for Modern Women

Unfiltered stories on motherhood, mindset, and the messy middle, where real women, real talk, and a little chaos all belong.

Read the latest issue or join hundreds of women finding their next chapter.
Two mugs with bold text designs reading “All In” and “Not Today Karen” on a green tropical background with headline text ‘Two Moods. Two Mugs. One Mama on a Mission.’ – The Mama Assembly.
Two Mugs. Two Moods. One Mama on a Mission.
Because some mornings you’re unstoppable, and others you’re over it.Meet our newest mugs: All In for the dreamers, and Not Today Karen for the boundary-keepers. Read more...
Mother and child sharing a quiet moment by the window, reflecting the theme of mindful communication and how our words shape the way kids see themselves.
What We Say Around Our Kids – Part 1: The Words They’ll Remember
Little ears have big memories. They hear everything, the good, the bad, and the “I’m so stupid” when we spill the milk. This first part in the What We Say... Read more...
Relaxed woman sits at a bar in a floral blouse, sipping a bright orange cocktail and gazing thoughtfully into the distance. Text overlay reads ‘Motherhood & Identity’ Series – Part 4: Making Room for You (Without Guilt) by The Mama Assembly.
Motherhood & Identity Series – Part 4: Making Room for You (Without Guilt)
You can be a great mum and still need time to yourself. This final post in the Motherhood & Identity series explores how to make space for your own needs... Read more...
Confident woman wearing a bright orange blazer smiles joyfully in the street with her hands raised. Text overlay reads ‘Motherhood & Identity’ Series – Part 3: Ambition Isn’t Selfish – It’s a Map by The Mama Assembly.
Motherhood & Identity Series – Part 3: Ambition Isn’t Selfish: It’s a Map
Wanting more doesn’t make you a bad mum. It makes you human. This post explores how ambition can be a roadmap back to yourself, one that leads to purpose, joy,... Read more...
Smiling mum sits at a kitchen table holding a coffee cup and pen, surrounded by a notebook, fruit, and papers. Text overlay reads ‘Motherhood & Identity’ Series – Part 2: Why “Balance” Might Be a Lie by The Mama Assembly.
Motherhood & Identity Series – Part 2: Why "balance" might be a lie
We’re told mums can “have it all”, career, kids, calm. But what if balance isn’t the goal? Part 2 of the Motherhood & Identity series explores why the chase for... Read more...
Three smiling mums sit outdoors around a colourful lunch table, laughing and enjoying each other’s company on a sunny day. The image promotes Motherhood & Identity Series – Part 1: Who Was I Before “Mum”? by The Mama Assembly.
Motherhood & Identity Series – Part 1: Who Was I Before “Mum”?
Ever wonder what happened to the version of you who drank hot coffee, had hobbies, and plans that didn’t revolve around nap time? This first part of the Motherhood &... Read more...
Smiling woman dressed in autumn tones and a wide-brimmed hat stands confidently against a warm brown background. Text overlay reads ‘Motherhood & Identity’ Series – Rediscovering Who You Are Beyond “Mum” by The Mama Assembly.
Motherhood & Identity – Rediscovering Who You Are Beyond “Mum”
Motherhood changes everything, your priorities, your routines, even your sense of self. This four-part Motherhood & Identity series explores how to reconnect with the woman you were before “Mum,” and... Read more...
A woman walking through a busy city street carrying shopping bags and looking determined, representing the messy, chaotic, and hilarious reality of modern motherhood.
The Mental Load Series. Part 4 – Motherhood Isn’t About Perfection; It’s Messy, Chaotic, and Sometimes Hilarious!
Motherhood isn’t a performance. It’s improv. With snacks. Here’s how to drop the perfection, embrace the chaos, and find the humour in the mayhem. Read more...
A woman sitting at a table covered in papers and children’s drawings, head in hands, surrounded by everyday chaos — symbolising the challenge of lightening the mental load without dropping the ball.
The Mental Load Series. Part 3 – How do we lighten the mental load without dropping the ball?
Our brains are running the family operating system, and it’s time for an update. Here’s how to lighten the mental load, share responsibility, and stop carrying it all. Read more...
A woman sitting at a cluttered desk in soft morning light, surrounded by papers and notebooks, deep in thought about everything she needs to manage — representing the struggle to let go of the mental load.
The Mental Load Series. Part 2 – Why Is It So Hard to Let Go?
“Just tell me what needs doing,” they say, but telling them is another job. Here’s why letting go of the mental load feels so hard, and what it takes to... Read more...
A woman sitting at her desk late at night surrounded by towering stacks of paperwork and a glowing laptop, reflecting the invisible mental load that keeps everything running.
The Mental Load Series. Part 1 – What Is the Mental Load, Really?
The invisible project management of family life, served with a side of sass, caffeine, and honesty. Let’s name it, share it, and lighten it together. Read more...
AI Might Be the Future, But We’re Still Raising the Humans
AI & Our Kids’ Future - Part 4: AI Might Be the Future, But We’re Still Raising the Humans
AI might shape the future, but we’re still raising the humans who will lead it.In Part 4 of my series, I explore why ethical AI isn’t just a tech challenge,... Read more...
Illustration of a woman with sunglasses and text about 'The Mama Edit' on a gradient background.