Dayana Rodríguez on postpartum depression, challenges of motherhood, and Instagram fame
Everywhere I looked, new mothers seemed to be living their best lives with their perfect children in their perfect homes. I felt so alienated from all of it. That is when I decided to create Daya Modo Mama. With each of my platforms, I aim to provide support to other mothers.
- 12 months ago
May 15, 2023
Dayana Rodríguez, pictured with her son, endured severe post-partum depression after giving birth. She started an Instagram account where she openly discusses her life, in order to provide support to other mothers with similar experiences. | Photo Courtesy of Dayana Rodríguez
CARACAS, Venezuela — Six years ago, after I gave birth to my son Thiago, postpartum depression hit me hard. It happened around the finalization of my divorce, and I felt suffocated by the weight of it all. I searched the networks for some sort of support. Everywhere I looked, new mothers seemed to be living their best lives with their perfect children in their perfect homes. Feeling alienated from it all, I decided to create Daya Modo Mama.
For the past six years, I run this social media account where I make podcasts and offer activities. With each of my platforms, I aim to provide support to other mothers and strive to show my community that pursuing your passion can lead to success, without depending on anyone else or being in an unhealthy relationship.
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I used humor to get out of the darkest moments, and other moms identified with me
I graduated with a degree in preschool education in Caracas, Venezuela, and worked in the field for nine years. After getting married and planning to move to Portugal, I found out I was expecting my first child, Thiago. Soon after his birth, my marriage quickly fell apart, and I found solace in social media. Unfortunately, all of the maternity accounts I found depicted perfectly happy mothers with perfect lives, which only made me feel worse about my struggle.
These accounts highlighted topics like breastfeeding, their children’s lack of crying or sleeping alone, and portrayed an unrealistic, rosy picture of motherhood. Meanwhile, I breastfed my son for only 20 days due to complications. He had to give up the bottle and pacifier for health reasons.
As someone with a unique sense of humor, even during the toughest times, my friend suggested I start a humorous maternity account. Though I felt hesitant, I decided to give it a shot. At first, I struggled with postpartum depression, but after seeking professional help I realized what was happening. Once I started therapy, I returned to Daya Modo Mama, my original idea. My first video took me hundreds of tries before I felt happy with it. After I saw all the positive comments, I continued to document my real, everyday life as a new mother.
The beginning of a new chapter: Daya Modo Mamá’s Little Shop
A few years ago, women started messaging me with incredible stories about their relationships and children. It surprised me at first, but I thought, if they talked about it, it might help them too. I come from a family where I was the first to get divorced, but now I’m not the only one. With time, my family grew to accept it and support me immensely. When I separated, I felt peace and tranquility, and I’m not ashamed to talk about my divorce openly. My Instagram turned into a place of confession for women going through difficult times in their marriages. Their messages warmed my heart.
I always clarify that their stories will stay private, but I may share some of them if they can help others, without revealing their identity. With the boom in Instagram Reels, my account gained more popularity. When the pandemic hit, we all felt lonelier than ever, with nothing to do. I used my boredom to create small crafts with my son. I shared my routine with the moms who followed me, and they loved the idea. This is how I started Daya Modo Mamá’s Little Shop. At first, it sold ready-made children’s activities, and now it sells toys and other things.
Daya Modo Mama captures everything about me. The store is my way of presenting myself to the world and returning to my old roots as a teacher. I also have a podcast, Por Tu Culpa, where I talk about issues using humor. Daya Modo Mamá is a product of perseverance. I cherish my community and the ability to make their days brighter. Motherhood is extremely difficult at times, and I think it is important to speak openly about the darkest moments in order to find the good that comes after.
