mom tips
10 Things I Would Tell A New Mom As A Mother Of 5
November 24, 2019 by Seymone Brutus
When I was pregnant with my firstborn in 2011 I was given so much advice and took on a lot of people's opinions. When I say take on, I mean I considered it and sometimes even discussed it with my husband. Over the years after having 5 wonderful blessings from God here's 10 things that I've learned that I wish I knew. If I would've known these things I would've confidently accepted advice and continue enjoying the rest of my day 😀.
1. Choosing to not put your child in daycare will not hinder their ability to be sociable. Keeping your children at home will not cause them to not know how to play with others.
Someone told me that keeping putting my son in daycare would help him be sociable. Well, my vibrant, outgoing son didn't fit that mold. He was and still is the happiest, most outgoing boy you'll meet. As a baby, he bounced, played and smiled at everyone. As of this day, he loves to dance, make people laugh and eager to answer questions! He's a bright sunray of joy!
2. Use cortisone for breakouts if it worked before for your child.
I've made numerous doctor visits for breakouts to be subscribed the same thing several times. From infant to big kid, cortisone has cleared arm and back breakout that appear as fine bumps and dry patches. After establishing a relationship with your doctor and knowing a history with your child, you can call your doctor's office and she/he will send a prescription over the phone/internet without an in-person appointment. Cortisone is also sold over the counter.
3. Your child doesn't have to participate because everyone else is.
My husband and I agreed that our children, toddlers at the time-- were not getting in a pool. Even with flotation devices, the answer no. There were times when family wanted to hold them in there lap in the water during vacation and while it wasn't easy to say no when everyone was waiting for me to say yes, it was the best decision I could've made. We established early on with our children that you don't go near the water unless you know how to swim. It is very serious and "we can lose you forever".
So instead, we allow them to play in sprinklers and splash parks. Presently I still pray over my children when I see water. Our oldest 2 boys have taken swimming lessons but still, have a lot left to learn.
Stick to your restrictions for your children!
4. Don't accept people's diagnoses.
It's true. All children are different. So much so, that each child grows, communicates and develops in their own unique way. We live in a culture where the school system teaches and accessed children broadly instead of individually.
While enneagram tests are so popular now, I wonder when the education system in the U.S. will render test books, tests and curriculum according to it.
Don't rush your child's performance. Celebrate and nurture who they are and teach them what they're expected to know.
5. Enjoy every single second. Take it all in with all 5 senses.
It's true time FLIES! Sometime I can't even remember certain milestones for my children. Some days I look into my children's faces and look so amazed that they were once babies pushing out in my stomach and now they're telling me what they want to eat and where they want to go. It's so precious. So magical. And such a blessing!
Keep taking all the pictures and make sure you choose one dedicated cloud folder for your pictures. I have pictures on multiple platforms (Dropbox, Samsung, Google Photos and Shutterfly) but choose one to keep them all together and ready for photobooks.
6. Let them cook.
When I was a new mom I wouldn't let my baby (toddler) near the stove. But now instead of keeping my children away from danger like a hot stove, I let them do things that don't require a sharp knife. I keep a close look to make sure that they are not touching the stove or the pot. Now at young ages, they love making a fresh salad, pancakes, sandwiches and more! It paid off because my 7-year-old at the time made PB&J's for everyone when I needed a few more minutes of sleep.
7. Don't keep them away from the computer.
Yes, a computer or laptop is an expensive thing, but you must know we are in a tech-driven world. Let their little minds discover, maneuver and create! The paint app on Microsoft has dramatically changed from my childhood. They can learn so much!
8. Never make a big deal over accidents. Accept your baby's/toddler's/child's mistakes.
I am so proud and so thankful that our children are so comfortable to tell us everything. They have come home and hopped in the car and have told me some very uncomfortable and offensive things. And each time we were able to love on them, coach them, encourage them and tell them the truth. Imagine if they would've gone to someone else, or shared with one of their peers. They may not share the same principles as us and may even tell them the wrong thing to do! So it's important you establish a great communication relationship with your child.
9. Wash everything with sensitive laundry detergent.
Before I would was the baby's clothes only with Dreft. But our baby would still get breakouts. After washing everyone's clothes and all bedsheets and covers with Dreft or Free & Clear Purex, our sweet baby's face remained bump-free.
10. If you're breastfeeding, make water your best friend during your pregnancy and after having your sweet baby.
After my 3rd and 4th baby, I breastfed less and less. During my 4th pregnancy, my milk supply suddenly stopped. While previously breastfeeding my first 3 babies I had to put cabbage leaves in my bra to stop my milk supply. With my 5th baby, I'm loving water and it's steady flowing and keeping his belly full.
It gets hard drinking water during pregnancy because it sends you to the bathroom frequently on top of your baby being on your pelvis, but it's worth it to make it your routine and already being used to it.
Tia Mowry Went From Beautiful Braids To Pretty Long Tresses Postpartum
May 19, 2018 by Seymone Brutus
One of the toughest decisions I've had approaching labor and delivery is how I'm going to wear my hair. What hairstyle will I have?
For my first labor and delivery, I had a sew in with straight extensions. After 24 hours of labor, I rocked a low sleek ponytail. It was actually quite uncomfortable laying back on my ponytail in the hospital bed. Second delivery, I had a protective style called rope twists. There were so beautiful and convenient. Instead of heavy braids, these light twists with extensions allowed my scalp to breathe and I happily placed my hair in a top knot while preparing to birth my second son.
My first baby girl was one of the most special pregnancies. At the end of my pregnancy, I went to Orlando to get my hair done in another protective style called faux locs. It was so pretty and gave me an opportunity to see how I'd look if I'd ever lock my hair. Unfortunately, this hairstyle was very heavy and bulky so my top knot repeatedly fell during labor and delivery. Nevertheless, my hair was neat and beautiful.
For my most recent labor and delivery, my 4th child and precious 2nd baby girl, she came by total surprise. My hair was not done or planned ahead of time. I wore my own pretty kinks in a top bun, however, I didn't have any of my hair products. Without my hair products, my hair tends to be dry. So water was my best friend and while busy, bringing an angel into the world, I never thought to tell my husband to grab some hair stuff.
This is why I LOVE seeing what new moms and veteran moms choices of hairstyle for their labor and delivery. It's absolutely an inspiration to see what works for them and what makes them feel beautiful.
Tia Mowry is such a sweet, transparent soul. I love how she shares tips as a wife and mother without the obsessions of Hollywood. Instead of a chiseled 4 pack days or even flat stomach days and weeks after pregnancy, she shares the realness of what everyday moms face after their pregnancy journey and giving birth to their sweet child.
How nerve wrecking can it be to worry about your newborn baby and a "sexy" physique. The #snapback is a real thing that people are waiting to see after every pregnancy. But the reality is that your size, weight, and shape should not be according to media's standards, but according to what you and your partner deem beautiful.
For example, after having my 4th child my body has changed immensely. I have curves and bulges I've never had before and my husband and I are excited and embracing every inch.
Motherhood graduates your body from a girl to a woman. And women should define themselves individually, not by an outside standard.
Thank you, Mrs. Tia Mowry, for always being such a beautiful example to look up to, encouraging moms everywhere to love themselves and find ways to manage real mother-hood. 😎
Do Women Sacrifice Their Hair For Their Emotions
May 9, 2018 by Seymone Brutus
Women are often associated with their emotions and I wonder how far do we take it? Do we let it affect our health, our relationships, and our appearance? Do we dread to wear our emotions on our head as a cry for attention or because it is unmanageable?
There's days that I become so weary and so overwhelmed that a simple "no" can come heavy on me like a wet blanket. I begin to replay the conversation or situation and find a million other things I could've said differently before I received a response.
Sometimes I keep a poker face, and other times my eyes tell it all.
On the other hand, my hair enables me to deflect anything that comes my way. One car can cut me off in traffic and another car can speed up and not let me over, but I'm still jamming to music and fluffing up my hair in the mirror!
According to Scientific American, "Women were not universally more expressive than men, as men were more likely to demonstrate anger-based facial behaviors than women."
So then what's really our problem?
I think we often to put on a stigma or apply to ourselves what we've been taught on TV and seen reenacted by people around us. How many episodes have shown a mom wrecked around crying children and her hair in frizzy knots? How many times have they shown a lost Dad not knowing how to prepare a bottle or even prepare a bowl of cereal for children? I know my husband is not the only one who can run our children on a dime when I'm absent (of course when he chooses to).
That's why it's so important that we don't look to fulfill the roles we've seen and be bold, confident and relentless enough to be who we think we should be. Do what we think we should do. Don't conform to society or play it safe. What would you wear if no one was around? What color would you dye your hair if all comments were muted?
Don't sacrifice your hair, your life for any temporary feeling. You were created by a King. Walk boldly in that!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
