“I AM MAMA” George, we heard your cry for Mama! We wept as we listened, and we realized that Mama was also justice, air, and love. Black mamas understood and white mamas stood and declared I AM MAMA! We are all running to answer you. ⠀ ⠀ I AM MAMA - I am bold. I am bold enough to challenge and confront any and all racism and fear with in my own heart. I recognize that this is the most important work I can do.⠀ ⠀ I AM MAMA - I speak. I fearlessly speak, challenge, and confront all … [Read more...]
George Floyd Screamed For His Mama – Don’t Let it Be My Sons Too.
MAMA! These are my four sons. Paul Jr., Joseph, David, and Noah. They are cute funny and brilliant. I love them. I birthed them, I nursed them. Sometimes they call me Mama. One day they will be dark, tall ,and strong men. Will you still admire those precious eyes and smile or will you decide that it’s time to fear them? And now we weep for George Floyd who died cuffed and unarmed on the street. And I wept as I listened to his cries for his Mama. A man who … [Read more...]
When You Fear the Worst: Fighting Mom Fears and Anxiety
I’ve seen only one ferris wheel rescue video and that was enough to cancel all ferris wheel rides for my kids until they move out of my house. When we took our boys to the state fair, they were in awe of the beautiful spinning lights of the ferris wheel, the centerpiece of it all. As expected, they gleeful asked to ride. And when they did, I cut my eyes at them with a BOY BOO BYE and led them to the tiny banana cars that went in circles. I don't like heights, and because of anxiety, I pictured a … [Read more...]
Let Go Of Picture Perfect Motherhood – There’s Always A Behind The Scenes
This picture is fake news. Every year, I take my boys to the pumpkin patch and stick them in a wheelbarrow to chronicle the season. This time, Baby David would be joining us. I dressed the boys in matching shirts and Baby David in overalls. But if I'm honest, I was a little irritated that day. A lot of things went wrong ... and on top of that, I spent way too much time looking for socks for the boys. When we got to the pumpkin patch, I chose the color of the wheelbarrow with … [Read more...]
What To Do When You Feel Like a Terrible Mom
My two-year-old PJ launched off the couch flying through the air when he should have been putting his pants on. My nine-month-old Joey had been crying for the last hour. He was fed, changed, and had all of his basic needs taken care of -- except for me holding him. We were in a rush to leave, and I had no choice but to listen to the soundtrack of Joey's cries while maintaining my sanity. As I ran from room to room searching for my missing shoe, it dawned on me that I hadn't fed PJ. My best … [Read more...]
I Was A Single Mom For 6 Days & Discovered Why We Need Fathers
My husband leaves for work, and all of a sudden I feel like my child has come down with Substitute Teacher Syndrome (STS) . Y’all remember the excitement that you got when the teacher was out? The rules got bent and broken, and it was like a staycation at school. I should be messaging all of my substitute teachers and asking them for forgiveness. From my findings I believe that STS is embedded into every child's DNA. As a matter of fact, some of us have Adult STS. PJ knew that the Sheriff … [Read more...]
Hallelujah! My Toddler is Weaned (But I’m Gonna Cry)
*Warning! Explicit Mom Content MOMtent* Weaning a toddler is like a bitter-sweet accomplishment. No more little sticky hands digging down my shirt. No more attempts at using the free boob as a rattle. No more creatively contorting his body to get to the milk at times that were awkward and inconvenient. Those things I won’t miss at all. But the thought of letting it all go makes me want to cry. It has been days since I nursed my son. If I knew that the last time would in fact be the … [Read more...]
Encouragement For Moms On Their First Day Back At Work – It’s Okay to Cry
Hey Mama, I remember waking up on a rainy morning to prepare for my first day back at work and starting my new normal routine - it felt incredibly unnatural. We packed our three-month-old son in the car and headed to take me to work for the first time since I’d become a mother. I sat in the backseat and stared at my sweet baby boy the entire way. I tried to reconcile myself to the reality of only being able to look at his face through pictures on my phone. My tears fell with the same … [Read more...]