Mother Stories
At Home With Multi-Faceted Detroit Mama Adonnica Genon
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Photos Courtesy of Adonnica Genon
Aug 25, 2020
We know we’re not the only ones with extra-chaotic, unmanaged inboxes these days. But sometimes there are diamonds in the rough, which was the case when we came across an email from Detroit-based mother Adonnica Genon. In it, the 26-year-old “full-time mom, entrepreneur, photographer, graphic designer, currency trader, and all around creative,” introduced herself and her adorable 1-year-old Ahmon, while briefly describing her commitment to breastfeeding and her battle with postpartum depression. Luckily, the talented mama (who lives with her son, as well as her mother, Kimberly) was able to open up even further in today’s “Day in the Life” (let’s make that “Week in the Life”!) feature below. Enjoy!
For more “Day in the Life” realness, check out our features on Arizona-based mother of four Perla Farias, Miami’s Celia De Luna, Idaho-based creative Laura Tully, L.A. based mother Andrea Hawken, Bay Area mamas Dr. Kat De Jong and Juvilynn Arbuthnot, and Portland’s Lydia Maria Lauer.
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- "I normally wake up around 7 a.m. and Ahmon wakes up around 7:45 a.m. or 8 a.m. I am big on my morning routine and making sure that I set the tone for my day. Most of the time, if I happen to wake up a little earlier than 7 a.m, I will sometimes just lay still for about 10-15 minutes doing light meditation, going over my affirmations, and praying. I get up after that, go wash my face, and brush my teeth, and then write out my thoughts and plans for the day. I'll make a cup of iced matcha. Checking social media for about 5 minutes comes next and then preparing for Ahmon to wake up. Most of the time Ahmon nurses when he first wakes up, and then we go to brush his teeth."
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- "Usually for breakfast, I love to make a good healthy smoothie and a bowl of Cream of Wheat—Ahmon’s favorite—and a side of scrambled eggs. Today we just had a smoothie and Cream of Wheat. I also love using the Bodum coffee press to prepare a good cup of Decaf Chicory Root Cafe Dumonde coffee." On Adonnica's reading list: Always Make Your Bed: 7 Principles To Dream It, Do It And Get What You Want Out Of Life by Danielle D. Hughes.
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- "Today, we plan on winging it! We may go to the Park. COVID-19 has put us in a space of constantly coming up with ways to be more creative with Ahmon, and myself. I’ve learned a lot about him in the last couple of months since we have been back home. I'm grateful that he is always using his imagination, and knows how to keep himself busy, like most toddlers do. I see myself in him in a lot of ways and that is something that motivates me to keep going in life."
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- "Right now I am residing in my hometown of Detroit. COVID-19 has definitely affected my lifestyle as a whole. I am used to traveling for business and leisure, but things have slowed down drastically. Right now, I keep family visitation to a minimum and I haven’t ate out in...I don't know how long! I make sure to get some fresh air, go to the park, or take a walk around the downtown and riverwalk area with Ahmon as much as possible. Spending too much time in the house can become very confining and having a busy toddler who loves to play all day and be outside, I feel it’s healthy for us to get out as much as possible."
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- "Right when COVID-19 began to peak in March, I had a photography panel event that I was hosting in Los Angeles. The evening before I was supposed to leave, I received a text from the airline saying that my flight had been compromised due to COVID-19. That was unfortunate, but I didn’t allow myself to get discouraged. I know that there will be another time for me to host the event. I have done some photography during this period, but work has slowed down. I am currently in the process of moving, launching my photography studio/gallery, and other business ventures that I have been sitting on for awhile. I like to look on the bright side of things, therefore I am really using this time to rebrand myself and my business, explore my creativity, and find other creative things that interest me. For those reading, this is a great time to start anything that you've wanted to do! There is no better time than now. Take time to find yourself, and really reflect on your life as a whole." For even more on Adonnica and her journey to become a photographer, read her recent interview with VoyageATL.
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- "Yes! I have been breastfeeding Ahmon full-time since he was born. I am still learning to prioritize it because at times, it can get stressful, especially with him being bigger now and more demanding. We usually feed in the morning after he wakes up, in the afternoon before his nap, and at night before he goes to bed. I am trying to wean him off of nighttime nursing, but that looks like it may take some time. I do enjoy it nonetheless because of its health benefits and it really has played a big part in his overall development. He has never had any baby formula."
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- "Postpartum depression was probably one of the most challenging times in my life. It started about two months after I had Ahmon, so in December of 2018. At first, I would write and read a lot of books to cope, talk to my homegirls, and travel! I went to the West Coast four times last year, which was amazing. Traveling plays a big part in my mental health. I remember feeling like I wanted to end it all one day (Summer 2019) and knew that was when I had to take immediate action and change up the way I was handling things thus far. I found a therapist that same night and started seeing her within two weeks. I started going out with my son almost every day for a month straight, going to local parenting events, and just staying as active and busy as possible. Seeing my therapist really played a big part in me overcoming PPD. I also started to pray more and build up my faith in God, knowing that he will make things better. Eating better, taking my daily vitamins, and working out also helped me big time!" "My advice for any mother going through PPD is to breathe. A lot of times I wasn’t breathing because I was so caught up in my emotions, and being a new mom comes with so many different changes internally that you sometimes really feel like you don’t know who you are or what is going on. That’s when you have to breath. You will feel like you just can’t get through another moment of depression, confusion, anxiety, loneliness, and hopelessness…but you will and you can. Get a therapist, write out how you feel, and remember that even if you feel like you're alone, you are not. I’m in the process of starting a podcast on parenting so that more PPD-related topics can be talked about. Make sure to follow me on Instagram and tune in!"
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- "Before the pandemic, Ahmon wasn’t in any childcare facilities for personal reasons. Ahmon loves to watch Octonauts, Akili and Me, and Backyardigans. I really love those shows for him because they are a combination of learning and entertainment. Sometimes when I really need a break I will put on one of those shows for him to watch. Ahmon loves watching movies, too, which we do together as well."
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- "When I really think about the conditions of the world, I do get overwhelmed and start to feel anxious. Right after that I just go back to being present in the moment because this situation is completely out of my control. It makes me think deeper about life, and how precious it is, but also how easily it can be taken away. Not psychically, but more so with drastic lifestyle changes."
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- "Ahmon doesn’t know what’s going on, which I'm happy about. He is so present in the moment and in his own world."
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- "Back when the George Floyd situation occurred, I was shaken up and bothered for a week…almost two. I was afraid. Mad and hurt. I remember when I looked at the video of what happened to him and looked at my son, and just started to cry. It can be a scary place, having a Black child and being a Black person in general. But during that time I really put all of my burden on God and occupied my mind with things to build me up."
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- "His bedtime routine is pretty simple, I usually give Ahmon a bath, watch cartoons for a good 25 minutes, and then nurse him to sleep. Once he's down is the time when I can complete the business-related things that I couldn’t get done during the day."
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- "My favorite moments of the day are when Ahmon walks up to me randomly and gives me a kiss, and calls me 'mama,' which is funny and taking some getting used to. Bath time is like my in-home spa time, so that is one of my favorite parts of the day as well. The most challenging moments are when I am very tired and want some 'me' time. Being a full-time mother comes with many ups and downs, emotionally and mentally, but overall it has and still is making me a stronger woman. My mother does watch Ahmon sometimes, so I do appreciate those moments of 'me' time, but like most full-time moms, we desire to have a full 24 hours to ourselves to just reset and refocus completely in solitude. I’m a powerhouse though, and I wouldn’t trade the world for my son. So, at the end of the day, everything is okay. Ahmon is also approaching his 'terrible twos,' which can be challenging and I am learning how to navigate through."
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- "My post-COVID life will consist of a lot of careful traveling. Right now, that’s all that comes to mind." For more on Adonnica, her family, and her work, be sure to follow her on Instagram.
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