S1E5 - Navigating Motherhood, Marriage, and Starting Over – with Cathie Stich | Making it Happen

Navigating Motherhood, Marriage, and Starting Over – with Cathie StichIn this episode of Making It Happen, Pauline sits down with her friend Cathie Stich — a full-time working mom, wife, stepmom, homeschool parent, and founder of her home-based baking business, Whisk'd Away. Together, they dive into the unseen emotional labor of motherhood, the evolving seasons of marriage, and the courage it takes to follow a creative dream while balancing real life.Cathie shares what it was like to grow up in a tight-knit Dominican-American family, become a stepmom unexpectedly, and raise her daughter Naya — who is now homeschooled after a difficult experience in traditional school. From her honest take on mom guilt to the mental juggling act of working full time while parenting, she opens up about the struggles, sacrifices, and small joys that define her journey.They also discuss keeping a marriage strong through change, how faith shapes Cathie’s resilience, and what it really means to pursue passion without losing the love for it.If you’ve ever wrestled with identity, felt the weight of invisible work, or wondered how to chase your goals while raising a family — this one’s for you.Topics Covered:Cathie’s upbringing and family roots in the Dominican RepublicWhat it was like becoming a stepmom and navigating blended family dynamicsThe decision to homeschool her daughter and what led up to itLetting go of outside opinions and trusting your parenting instinctsHow mom guilt shows up at every stage — and how she’s working through itKeeping her marriage strong through communication and realistic expectationsStarting Whisk'd Away, her home bakery business, and what baking means to herThe fear of turning passion into pressure — and finding peace in the processHer biggest lessons from failure and how faith keeps her grounded🎧 Cathie’s Final Takeaway:“It’s not a failure if you tried. If you trust God, even when it doesn’t feel okay — it eventually will be.”💡 Learn more about Cathie’s baking journey:Follow her on Instagram: @cathiem143Coming soon to Facebook & local markets in Florida!✨ Want more real talk and resources?Visit PaulineRoth.com for free tools, career tips, family strategies, and to sign up for the newsletter. Get practical support sent straight to your inbox to help you thrive at home, in work, and beyond.