"We had only a split second to revel in the magnitude of a triplet conception, before we were told about the risks. It was even strongly recommended that we elect to have a fetal reduction. What's that you ask?! Oh, it's a procedure in which a specialized doctor terminates one of the fetuses."
"What I constantly struggle with is the feeling of invisibility that comes with being a mother. When it all gets too much, I try to create the time and space for me to do something for myself."
"There are definitely times when I feel guilty.., however, when I see the strong bond our son has developed with his grandparents and babysitter in addition to his parents, I am at ease."
Children are very impressionable... From infancy they look at us and observe us... when every interaction involves a phone, a laptop or a jumbo slice of chocolate cake (yum), they start to interpret these behaviors as the norm and follow suit.
Immediately, my three-year-old son clasped his hands and bowed his head. He said quietly, “Dear God, please help her.” His little voice was so pure and so sincere, it touched me in the very depths of my core.
Self-care doesn’t always have to mean an expensive trip to a salon. Sometimes good old leftovers and a little strategic time management can do the trick. This mom was able to get her glam on, all on her own with this “diy” tip. Many thanks to my friend and my toddlers for cooperating to the max of their capacity.
"Since becoming a mother, I’ve gone deeper with the friends that have made the effort to reach for me. Mostly, this has been the mothers. We share milestones, challenges, ask for and give advice, curse and cackle about the events that color our exquisite, shitty lives."
Nothing happens if effort isn’t made. No one will come in and drag me out. I have started inviting moms that I meet to come to my workout group, to go for a coffee, or to go on play dates. Many people say no, but some say yes.
I’ve learnt that everyone’s parenting journey is different, just like everyone’s childhood is different. I define my own beliefs about parenting and that in itself is a gift.
As the waves crashed at my feet and retracted, I imagined the water taking all of my worries and stresses away. It was symbolic and it felt great.
The gravity of the fact that a child born to another woman would forever call me mommy had to sink in. The responsibility that this gift and this entrustment bore, probably weighed more on me than love in those first days.
My mama bear instinct immediately took over. I checked myself out of the hospital just 6 hours after giving birth and headed down to Miami Children's Hospital.
It’s okay to lean on your children when you are weak. I think they’re stronger and more resilient than we give them credit for. I include them in most decisions. It makes them feel in control and an important part of the family.
Although weight loss was not my goal, I am pretty sure I could comfortably put my wedding dress on today and feel good in it. Which is not too bad after having 2 kids in 3 years.
A dark and abusive relationship threatened to break her brilliant spirit. However, she has overcome, and out of it all came her greatest joy, her “sun."
On any given day, I can find a hundred valid excuses why I can’t work out. I have scheduled workout sessions twice a week and almost every time, I sit thinking about all the reasons why I shouldn’t go.
At least once or twice a week one or the other will decide that watching Frozen, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or PJ Masks is a much better prospect than leaving the house.
With my 5th child I hid my pregnancy from everyone with very few exceptions. Most of our friends and extended family found out on the day I gave birth. The anxiety over what other people would think or say was consuming to say the least.
The fears of being able to carry and give birth to a child, with all my health complications were assuaged by my husband’s words. “God won’t give us a miracle to come and take it away.”
