The Review Ballerina

The following is the opinion of The Review Ballerina and though it may not be shared by everyone, it is a proud opinion! When I was growing up, I was raised by my Aunt, Uncle, and Grandmother. Sadly, my Grandmother was not really a "Mom" to me but moreso a friend kind of position. The other sad part is I spent Sunday night through Friday morning with her, and only Friday night through Sunday afternoon with my Aunt and Uncle. So I really did not have the "parental" influence in my life as much as I should have. I've seen so many people in the generations after me (with my generation as their parents) become disrespectful, criminals, smart-mouthed, and more all because in this time for some reason society has stopped parenting. Well, I continue to do so.

Hi Moms! It's Monday! I wanted to write something inspirational and something feel good. I realized, it's Mommy Monday! I should write about, being a Mom (duh!). I know how hard it can be sometimes. You are tired, stressed, running around cleaning and cooking, working, helping with homework. Sometimes you feel so guilty just wanting to hide in the closet with your glass of wine for five minutes. But, remember why you're so happy being a Mom! 1. My child brings me so much happiness!   Has your husband/spouse ever just come up behind you and put their arms around you? They hug you close and smile and then you feel all your stress melt away? When my daughter rests against me, snuggles, cuddles, "Nuggles" (as we jokingly call it), hugs, or kisses me I feel that same feeling but times a thousand. She's my sweet miracle baby and finding that joy of Motherhood with her is completely a blessing. Life feels so incredible with her, and I know your children make you feel...

I've been working from home since 2012. I have found over the years that many women have moved from working in person to at home, and even though my husband is a stay at home father (explained before and later in this) I tend to do a lot on my own. My daughter is also doing her school from home so during the day I'm not only an employee for a company, I'm a learning coach, and a Mother. Here are just some tips that help me get through the days that may assist you all as you transition!

I am a Mother to an extremely picky eater. No matter what I do, and no matter what I introduce her to, her meals usually come from the same three or four food options from Peanut Butter to Chicken Nuggets. I've introduced vegetables to her and she won't touch them (though she still loves the pouches!) and I'll try to get her to try meats and she will only eat chicken. According to her pediatrician she is very healthy, growing just fine so they aren't too concerned in terms of health. Her prior pediatrician said it was perfectly fine and actually very normal for children her age to be picky. But her current pediatrician says no, this is not right and it needs to be changed. Hard to do, but when you are wanting to make dinner on a limited budget the hardest thing to do is make two separate meals. 

When I was younger, Christmas was something I could not sleep about. On Christmas Eve, I'd listen to the music on the radio, glance out my window for Santa Claus, even sneak into the living room to stare at the Christmas cards on the front door before being shooed away by my Grandma (I was good though, I never once looked at the tree!). Once I had my daughter, I started to get just like that again. But the reason was completely different; it wasn't for me anymore it was ALL for her. The look she gets when she sees what Santa brings her, the way she sings the Christmas carols and gets excited about baking the cookies. It's all such a magical thing and I love it.

In the last few years, the words "Trunk or Treat" have become more and more common for you to take your children on Halloween. Instead of going door to door, you now drive your costumed children to a location where people open their trunks and pass out candy. Sure people decorate the trunks and make them all fantastic but the excitement and thrill of Trick or Treating was going door to door. You'd see neighbors you never knew existed for that one time of the year, you'd remember which houses gave you that awesome chocolate mini bar and which ones passed out popcorn balls. So what is it that makes Trunk or Treat so special now? Halloween 2012 As a child, I did door to door trick or treating. It was awesome, I'd dress up every year in some costume that was rarely store bought. One year I was a purple genie that won me 1st place in a costume contest held at Brookshire's (My prize? A microscope...every young girl's dream haha). Another year I ...

All below are great ideas for "Santa's Seasonal Suggestions"!!

Every Mother goes through this argument in their minds. If you were raised around profanity and you know when and when not to use it, you automatically assume your child will figure it out as well. If you were raised without profanity then you automatically assume it's wrong and there's no reason it should be used. This debate has been a big one in our household for many reasons!