No One Ever Warned Me About Parenting During a Pandemic

I returned the boys’ Chromebooks and library books to school yesterday.  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t tear up. And I think they did too.

One of their friends was playing across the field. I haven’t seen them so excited to go wave to someone, ever.

What a way to end a school year.

My heart breaks, so much for all the kids. The teachers,  the parents. It’s just so sad.

I understand the guidelines the CDC has recommended are just that, recommended guidelines.

But the truth is, as an Illinois Resident and small business owner, I see first hand what “recommended guidelines ” mean.

Our bbq business has been impacted. Our lives have been deeply impacted, all by these recommended guidelines.

And I’m sorry, or maybe not really sorry at all, I don’t want the government dictating my children’s lives in the same manner.

Can they learn to cope wearing a mask during school?  Sure.

Can they follow arrows in the hallway? Of course.

Can they sit in the same classroom all day, no cafeteria and no recess? If they have to.

They can do all of the things, that’s not the question. But at what cost? Especially for those just starting Kindergarten who have never been to school before?

What does that do to them? How does that impact them forever? How will their lives be forever changed?

I’m not saying, through this entire pandemic there have ever been right or wrong answers. I’m so glad I’m not a leader in this situation. 

But what I know, is that if my children’s lives are impacted negatively,  and I can control that happening,  you better believe I’m going to do something about it. #MamaBear

And don’t get me wrong, I’m all for respecting authority (and laws). In fact, I think we need more of it in this country. But I think there comes a point where we need to think for ourselves, and not always trust what we’re being told.

I’m okay taking a stand for something I wholeheartedly believe in. It’s okay to think different than the masses. Isn’t that our right in this country?

God is good, y’all!

I have prayed, for years that I could be home with my kiddos. To enjoy the days with them. To wake up and have coffee from my deck, to make the kids an afternoon snack when they get home from school and help them with their homework.

It looks a litle different than I imagined in my dreams,  but I have it that right now. In this period of quarantine. Endless time with my kiddos, and I’ll tell ya, I’ve heard more giggles than I have in a long time. And that is so good for my soul.

I’ve prayed for time freedom. No constraints of time clocks or crazy schedules….whether it be work or sports. Absolute time freedom.

Again, it’s much different than I had imagined it, but gosh dang it, I have it. And it feels strange.  Having 0 plans for an indefinite period of time is the strangest feeling ever. I literally have no life and I LOVE it! 

I have prayed long and hard for residual income, for a thriving business and for products everyone needed.  I’ve always wamted to help everyone win.

And now, more than ever, I am so grateful for my side hustle. Daily essentials are still bought in economic downturns.  People aren’t going to stop brushing their teeth and showering. And we have sanitizer and disinfectant that everyone is looking for, with no price gouging. My paycheck, is only going to grow. And that is such a blessing in such a scary time.

God is amazing, y’all.  He answers prayers. It may not look like we imagine, and it may not happen on our schedules. But He comes through. And the real secret, is to notice it and praise Him for it. 

Cuddles and Calm

I’ve been trying to get up at least an hour before the rest of the house. So I can pray, meditate, work and soak in some quiet time.

Last night, Calen and Kendall were super clingy…by my side until they fell asleep.

So, this morning,  I was hoping for “my” time. It just helps me re-center, balance the crazy and start the day fresh.

Not today,  He says.

This guy says he couldn’t sleep, which, of course has me worried. Does that me this all is bothering him? Does that mean he’s worried too? Does that mean he just wants some one on one time with his mama?

How are the kids going to be effected by all this? Long term? Short term…in the now. Do they understand? Do they care? How do I keep the normalcy?

All the worry, all the time. And so many questions I don’t have answers to. But,  for now, we’re going to hang on the couch, watch some Tom and Jerry and just enjoy the quiet house. 

Release Control

I just sat on our stairs, listening to the kids playing, thinking about what’s going on.

I have worry, stress and fear in every fiber of my body.

Family, friends, the economy,  small business, our very own personal businesses, work, home schooling, food shortages,  hospitals not being able to handle all the things…too many things to list.

There are so many things going on right now that I can’t control. That’s not how I roll. I’m a planner, a doer and controller.

Not now. Not today. 

Stress and worry are the devil.  Literally.

What I know is that God is awesome.  My faith is strong.  It’s what has always guided me and will be no different now.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  ~Hebrews 11:1

My Why

Today was rough, if I have to sum it up in one word.

As a mother, I feel like a bipolar, crazy person. I want to do all the things, and hate myself that I can’t, or don’t always live up to the task.

In my perfect world, a snow day means sledding, hot chocolate, movies and crafts.

None of that was done today. Absolutely none. And Kendall even asked for hot chocolate and I refused to make it because she never drinks it.

Instead, there was a lot of fighting, YouTube, Roblox and me screaming at the pup.

I feel guilty when my kids are playing Roblox, instead of reading, watching YouTube instead of working on math.

But the reality is, my work doesn’t stop because of snow. And my employer doesn’t care. That’s a harsh truth. In today’s world, I’m not a person. I’m a number. I’m replaceable. And have been, in fact.

So, I have a hard time telling my kids I can’t play a game with them, because I have a job to do. Not because I don’t like my job, because my job doesn’t care about me.

This is why I work multiple jobs, have multiple streams of income.☝️ is why. My kids are more important than my job.

And someday, I dream of being a not so bipolar mom, who can focus more on my kids, and less on the crap.

August is the Month

​Sooooo, I have some pretty exciting news!!!😁💰 NERIUM HAS A PROMOTION THAT IS PAYING FOR YOU TO JOIN, IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST ONLY!! 💰 Don’t hold back due to money, because now there are NO EXCUSES!  I’m super jealous of this!!!! Wish someone could have paid for my business!!

Opportunity vs. Job

​How does society teach us to make extra money?

• An RN takes extra shifts.

• A police officer works through the night.

• A teacher tutors after teaching all day.

• A hairdresser finds more clients and spends more time on their feet.

• A graphic designer takes on freelance clients and spends an additional 2-3 hours at home in front of another computer screen.

• A single mom works a second or third hourly-paid job.

• A broke college student spends nights and weekends driving other people across town.

All of these ways involve spending more time AWAY from your family and friends. Isn’t the goal to spend more time WITH the ones you love?  A non-traditional way of making money and being with your family really does exist. It’s not a pyramid scheme. It’s a legitimate business model – one that’s been around for over 100 years. Stop spending time AWAY from your family for an hourly wage when you can invest and LEVERAGE your time at home.  I was BLESSED when I was introduced to this opportunity. Let me do the same for you!!