Melissa Wirth

Guest Overview

Melissa Wirt is a mom of six, CEO of Latched Mama, and author of I Was Told There’d Be a Village: A Book by a Mom, for Moms. Based on a farm outside Richmond, Virginia, Melissa has spent the past decade not only growing her family but also building a thriving business dedicated to supporting moms in both practical and emotional ways.

Melissa’s journey into motherhood was unexpected—she never planned on having a big family, but after experiencing smooth pregnancies and home births, she leaned into it fully. But despite being surrounded by children, she quickly realized motherhood could be incredibly isolating. The so-called “village” she had been promised never materialized, and she struggled to find real support.

That experience led her to create Latched Mama, an online community and clothing brand designed to make breastfeeding easier and help moms feel seen. Now, with six kids ranging from toddler to teen, Melissa is sharing her hard-earned lessons, humor, and insights in her new book, aimed at every mom who has ever felt like she was doing it all alone.

Through entrepreneurship, homeschooling, and building her own version of a village, Melissa has learned firsthand why connection is crucial for moms—and why we need to reimagine what support truly looks like.

Follow Melissa:

• 📢 Instagram: @latchedmama

• 📚 I Was Told There’d Be a Village – Available now!

Episode Summary

What happens when the “village” you were promised as a new mom doesn’t exist? Melissa Wirt, CEO of Latched Mama, mom of six, and author of I Was Told There’d Be a Village, joins us for a powerful conversation about motherhood, loneliness, and the unrealistic expectations placed on moms today.

Melissa shares her journey from unexpected young mom to entrepreneur, building a thriving business while raising her six kids—all born between ages 30 and 40. She opens up about the pressure to be the “perfect” mom, why American mothers feel more isolated than ever, and how she created her own support system when she couldn’t find one.

We also dive into homeschooling, the impact of online parenting culture, why mothers need true connection (not just “mom groups”), and how to reclaim your identity after kids. Plus, Melissa shares what inspired her new book—and why every mom needs to read it.

Preorder I Was Told There’d Be a Village today! 📚

Fun Fact 

Melissa had six kids in ten years, all born at home, and describes her labor experiences as so easy she could have won an Olympic medal in childbirth!

What do you wish you knew before having kids? 

That there’s no “right” way to parent—you and your child figure it out together. I spent so much time trying to make all the “right” choices when I should have just trusted myself.

What advice do you give your expectant friends? 

Relax. You don’t need all the answers before your baby arrives. No amount of research can fully prepare you—you’ll learn by doing, and that’s okay.

What has been the most impactful part of your journey in parenthood? 

Realizing that it’s okay to ask for help. I used to think I had to do it all myself, but as my family grew, I learned that motherhood isn’t meant to be a solo journey.

What has brought you unexpected joy throughout this experience? 

Letting go of perfection. Once I stopped trying to be the "perfect mom" and embraced the mess, I found more connection, more joy, and more freedom in parenting.

What is a sentence that sums up the most impactful part of your journey? 

I spent years waiting for the village to show up—then I realized I had to build it myself.