This rap just warms a mother’s heart. 
Celebrity Takes Foot out of Mouth With Apology
June 12, 2012 - One Response
You may have heard, but recently fitness guru Jillian Michael’s stepped up to the plate and owned her actions. For years, she’s downplayed the challenges that come with being a mother and often telling mothers they need to put themselves first – and not understanding how it’s almost impossible. But she’s certainly singing a different tune now.
After adopting a 2 year old boy from Haiti and her partner giving birth to their first child together – she’s realizing time for you is almost a thing of the past citing to People Magazine - “It’s impossible to put yourself first when you’re a Mom…Parenting is not for sissies. You have to sacrifice and grow up.” You can see her full interview in the latest issue which is on stands now.
When I heard about this, it made me giggle. Nobody, and I mean nobody, has any idea of what it means to be a parent until you are one. You don’t understand the ups and downs that come with it, until it is your life. I’ve been guilty too of not understanding why I’d hear mom’s complain of no sleep, or needing to leave work early, or venting about never having time to pamper themselves. Ha. Hahahahaha. Oh boy do I get it now! Cheers to Jillian for coming out and giving the props mom’s deserve!
Is this something that you were guilty of before becoming a mom?
I’ve included a fun song below about living your life and the fact that people can’t fully understand you until they’ve walked in your shoes. 
Consignment is the new Black for Moms
June 11, 2012 - 2 Responses
I was hesitant to buy my daughter used things unless I knew who it was coming from. Over the top? Maybe. But it’s how I felt. I didn’t want to go garage sale hopping or go digging through a thrift store. It seemed like a lot of work, for little gain. That is, until I was told about a local consignment shop by another trusted mother. She had nothing but great things to say about it and made a point to talk about the key things I’d be concerned about for a second hand store.
1. Finding a Needle in a Haystack. Not the case here! This was a consignment store just for kids! Clearly marked by age which all of a sudden made the idea exciting. There would be no digging! It was made for a mother – organized and focused on my exact needs. Helping to make the trip efficient. Exactly what a mother needs.
2. Quality. All of the clothes were hand inspected and they only accepted items of top quality. She emphasized that all the clothes, toys, etc displayed were in great shape and usually looked brand new. Which REALLY helped make the case that it was worth my time to go dig for some gold.
3. Price. HOLY COW! I was able to get practically brand new items for 80% less than what it would cost new! I cleaned them out when it came to name brand jeans, dresses and shorts! Walking out with close to $100 dollars work of stuff for, get ready…drum roll, a whopping $20 bucks! Perfect for growing kids that need new items every few months!
However, I might be most proud of the following purchase. Fisher-Price’s Stride to Ride Dinosaur which sells for $44.99 at Babies R Us. It helps encourage your child to gain the confidence to walk on their own and then converts to a riding toy! It’s awesome! But guess how much I found it for? Okay moms, brace yourself. $8.50!!!! I saved a little over $41 bucks!!!! See the ad for the toy in the store here and below is what I picked up at consignment.
So Mother’s, I’m spreading the word! Get on google and search for kid consignment stores near you! They’ll become a resource unlike anything else!
5 Key Tips for A Car Trip
June 11, 2012 - 2 Responses
Recently, we had a big family event – a graduation! It was the first time I traveled with my little one and I realized I had a rather big task in front of me. Of course, I packed for the ultimate trip – carrying everything…and I mean everything…I needed and more. In light of trying to ensure my daughter had “home away from home,” there are a few key things that I wish someone had suggested to me. So here are the top five tips I wanted to share with all of you.
1. Don’t bring everything and the kitchen sink. Map out what you need for the trip and bring ONLY that, plus 1 day of emergency meals/diapers/wipes. BUY everything else when you get there! That way you aren’t lugging tons of items that you don’t need while you are on the road.
2. Have ONE bag FULL of goodies. Given ours was a rather long road trip (a few days), we needed to ensure plenty of different toys that could keep her occupied. It’s also one of the few times we’ve allowed her to watch TV (Nick Jr. Stuff) which helped keep her happy and entertained.
3. If using bottles – bring all you have! The less you have to worry about when it comes to feeding your child, the better. The last thing you want to do is clean bottles at rest stops or when you get to your hotel – unless the hotel has a kitchen. Bring enough bottles for the trip if possible and bring soap/brush to wash them if necessary.
4. More is More! Of course, you probably just want to hit the road and get there already. However, it may be best to extend your trip and make it a day or two longer than expected. This will help shorten the time your little one has to stay in the car and will also allow everyone to stay close to routine. In addition, you’ll get to possibly explore more on the way – which is enjoyable for not only you but also your child.
5. Bring a support team! It’s crucial when traveling with children to have people with you that can help when possible. They make the process easier. For example, while one person is pumping gas, the other can change and feed the children. It truly helps to work with someone as a team – whether it be friends or family.
Any other tips you’d suggest? Share them here!
My First Mother’s Day
May 14, 2012 - 2 Responses
What can I say – I just had the best day of 2012. It was my first Mother’s Day (gush), and I loved every minute. I always realized the day was special, because I love my mom more than words can express – but I never understood it from her end, until now.
Yesterday, I celebrated bringing life into the world and my little girl giving me life in return. She is my everything. The light of my life. The best thing that has come into my life. I treasure her smile, every milestone, giggles and even poops – yes, even those. Because they are signs that my daughter is happy, healthy and growing. My life has a new meaning and yesterday I truly looked at her and realized – wow, I’ve done something for this world that is beyond me. I’ve added a precious little angel.
I got a swarm of Happy Mother’s Day cards, texts and Facebook messages. The appreciation this world has for Mother’s is astounding. Now, I swear my hormone’s have changed since giving birth – I’m much more emotional now, and it showed yesterday. Almost every card, text and facebook message made me want to cry. I felt so appreciated and cared for. It is truly amazing the support that you receive as a mother. And it is appreciated. To all of you who wrote me, left me a message, called, etc – I love you. YOU are irreplaceable. YOU help me get through the hard times and YOU made my day.
To my daughter – words cannot express how much I love you. I’m not perfect and I will fail from time to time, but my love for you is never ending. I’m yours forever.
Again – to all of the Mother’s out there, Happy Mother’s Day. But know, that every day is Mother’s Day. Without you, this world could not go ’round.
My First Guest Post! The Monday Blues…
May 14, 2012 - One Response
My friend K.C. asked me to do a guest post on his blog, SomeWiseGuy, and I simply couldn’t refuse. He’s a DEVOTED father, loving husband and all around great guy. He’s focused on not only holding down a full time job but also works every day toward being a better husband and father. And in order to get some “him” time – he hits the gym at 5am. Gasp! When does this man sleep!? In short, I admire him – which is why I agreed to do a guest post. I’m honored that he asked and I would recommend all of you check out his blog. He is the true definition of what a father/husband should be.
With that being said, today I wrote about how all working Mother’s face the Monday Blues – or would you call it, Sunday Blues?
Check it out – I’d love to get your thoughts! Anything else you’d add?
http://www.somewiseguy.com/2012/05/the-monday-blues/
Great Quotes about Mothers
May 13, 2012 - Leave a Response
I’m a quote person. Yes, call it cheesy, but I love ‘em and can’t get enough of them. They inspire me, motivate me, challenge me and often times speak to a situation just as I need it. So in honor of Mother’s Day, I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes about Mother’s with you. Hope you enjoy! Let me know which ones are your favorite!
A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan
The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh
She never quite leaves her children at home, even when she doesn’t take them along. ~Margaret Culkin Banning
When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren
Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. ~Marion C. Garretty
A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving
Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed. ~Linda Wooten
I’m so Excited, And I Just Can’t Hide It!
May 11, 2012 - 2 Responses
Today is one of my favorite days of the week – Friday. Why? Because for the next two days I get to spend time with my family with nobody to tell me otherwise. I get to skip a commute, rest from work, and invest time in my family and with a little help, myself.
I don’t know about you, but I am extra focused at work on Fridays because I want to ensure that my weekend can be clear. I am always so excited about the opportunity to do the little things…like feed my child lunch, or take her to the park in the middle of the warm day, or (gasp!) take naps when my child does!
It’s the LITTLE things that excite me about a weekend. And I wouldn’t want to spend them any other way.
Guilt on Steroids
May 9, 2012 - 2 Responses
“I think while all mothers deal with feelings of guilt, working mothers are plagued by guilt on steroids!” – Arianna Huffington
Thank God I’m not alone on this! No matter how many times I try to tell myself it is okay to be a working mother, there is always a tremendous amount of guilt associated with being one. For me, the main factor of guilt is TIME. That’s right, time. Why? Because a working mother has a limited amount of it. And yes, everyone says this but it is at a different level once you are a working parent.
Yeah, I said it. Just yesterday I was talking with my boss about this. I used to complain that I never had time prior to having a baby. Ha! I can’t even remember what I used to fill all that time with – other than a lot of quite nights sipping wine and watching TV, while making it to bed at a decent hour for a full 8 hours of sleep. My life was much easier to manage.
But I digress. Where were we? Ah yes, limited time. As of now, here’s how my day breaks down:
- Up bright and early to get myself and daughter ready so I can drop her off at daycare and head to work
- Sit in traffic – for a whopping 1-1.5 hours
- Arrive at work – stay there for 8-9 hours
- Head home and sit in traffic again – for a whopping 1-1.5 hours
*Note – I’ve already gone through about 12 hours of my day at this point
- I pick up my daughter and settle in for the evening. This includes cooking dinner, feeding her, prepping her diaper bag for the next morning, walking the dog, cleaning up around the house, spending quality time with her before bed, putting her to bed, checking/finishing any work from my job after she’s down and then, if I’m lucky, I get some me time.
By the time this is all said and done, I’ve exhausted about an 18 hour day. This leaves me 6 hours to sleep. Ha. We know it never ends up that way.
But, in looking at that schedule – you can’t help but feel stretched and in turn, feel guilt. Guilt for not being with your child more, guilt for not spending more time on the job, guilt for not spending enough time with your husband, guilt because not all of the household chores got done, guilt for (gasp) not doing anything for yourself all day and maybe the biggest one – the guilt of feeling guilty, because in reality – you don’t need to feel that way. You should feel like a superhero. You have accomplished something in that day that many, MANY people in this world cannot.
Now yes, I am one of those people who suffers from the guilt. Especially when it comes to wanting more time with my daughter. But you can’t make a living off of raising your child unfortunately. So that being said, it’s time to make a promise to myself. Everytime I feel guilt, I need to drink my own Koolaid – I’m a friggin’ rockstar. A master juggler. The best thing since sliced bread! Okay – maybe not quite that awesome, but awesome enough that I need to remind myself of it whenever I have the opportunity to kick the guilt to the curb.
As a working mother, I do the very best I can with the limited amount of time that I have. Focused on making EVERY MINUTE count.
Do you suffer from guilt? If so, what have you done to help combat those feelings?
And here we go…
May 8, 2012 - One Response
Hi all! Wow, I’m really doing this. I tried not to for some time, but clearly I’ve given in. Why? Well, I hate to admit it, but I needed a place where I could do the following:
- Have a place to voice my feelings and take the time to actually articulate it well.
- Write down the struggles I face and come up with solutions that I can share…and document for myself!
- Share the things I already do that seem to work in my favor.
- Admit I can’t do it all! Gasp! It’s true.
- Connect with strong, working women who understand the exact same challenges I face daily.
- Ask for help! Yes, we all need to from time to time. Here I’m hoping to have some guest bloggers share their tips and interview people who I believe can serve as a resource to working moms.
- Take a moment to reflect.
With that being said…let’s do this!
-MommaM
