Hello all! My name is Emily Fitzpatrick Kenniston, and I’m absolutely delighted to be one of the newest additions to the content team here at South Central PA Mom. I’m excited to share my take on being in the mom life trenches with you, and I certainly hope I make you chuckle along the way! I thought I’d take the opportunity of my first post to introduce myself to you all.
I currently reside in Berks County with my husband (Dillon), five-year-old daughter (Brielle), and our Golden Border (Teddy). In my professional life I wear many hats: I’m the Lifestyle and Managing Editor of Grit & Goals Magazine, a women’s business and lifestyle publication, a professional bridal model, a freelance local news journalist (and an all-around freelance content writer for multiple Berks County publications and businesses), the creator, host, and producer of Small Business Spotlight on BCTV, a part-time school librarian, and to top it off, I’m also a “professional princess.” I also currently hold the title of Mrs. Pennsylvania Continental Worldwide, and I’ve been so grateful to use my reign to advocate for two causes that are near and dear to my heart: financial support for small business owners, and maternal mental health.
READ: South Central PA Summer Bucket List: 50+ Things to Do!
My pageant journey started somewhat untraditionally. I never competed as a child or teen, and only seriously decided that I wanted to give it a shot after the birth of my precious girl. I experienced crippling postpartum depression (PPD) following my daughter’s traumatic birth in 2018, and by 2019, I was really struggling. Much more than I was willing to admit to almost anyone. I was also really struggling with feeling like I had no idea who I was anymore, besides a mom, and I wanted to challenge myself to follow through with a goal I had always had… so, I decided to register for my first pageant. I want my daughter to be her a strong woman who is determined to follow her dreams, and I knew that had to start with me. The best part of being a reigning pageant titleholder is the work that I get to do for my community, and the way that I can be a voice for the voiceless in many respects. When I was struggling the hardest with PPD, I know it would have meant the world to see someone else who suffered that way, up on a stage, shining a light on the fact that I wasn’t alone. I try to do that for women everyday.
Let’s face it ladies: This mom life, as wonderful as it is, is tough, too. Whether you have one child or five, motherhood will test you in ways you never thought you’d be tested (and able to survive). From the moment my daughter was born, I learned that it really does take a village — not just for our children to thrive, but for us to do so as well. As a contributor here, I hope to share stories of resilience that are peppered through with humor; to highlight other women who are in the trenches with us doing great things, to spotlight fun activities to do with your littles, and to bring encouragement to those who might be feeling alone. Because you’re not alone, I promise, even on days you may feel you are. Please don’t ever be afraid to ask for the help you need—I was, and the day I did was the best thing that could have happened to me. We are all in this thing called momming together, and I look forward to being a part of this amazing village with you all.
You got this, mama.
