Mom Treading Water (The Imperfect Mom)

Send us Fan Mail Our family had a much-needed vacation, and I am happy to say it was close to perfect.   Even the mommy shamer could not spoil our great time.    If this were 2 years ago or even last year, the mommy shamer stating my child was having a “hissy fit” would have consumed my thoughts and overall experience.   Although, I do regret trying to justify my child’s “hissy fit” to the mommy s...

Send us Fan Mail SAHM Happiness (Discovering How to Feel Fulfilled)  SAHM happiness is absolutely possible and it is not impossible to feel fulfilled.    Including myself, I have placed a focus on content of not feeling happy as a SAHM. Without a doubt,  those moments I'm not being happy as a SAHM are far fewer.  Finding SAHM happiness, like everything in life, requires work as well as a chan...

Send us Fan Mail SAHM and working moms, does your husband refuse to help ?  Well, without question, my husband refuses to help at home and with our children.   As a SAHM (stay-at-home mom) what might shock you more is that I am in 100% agreement! When my husband refuses to help , especially as the breadwinner, he will always have my support. No, I have not set the women’s movement back 100 years b...

Send us Fan Mail Amanda Tice is an international curve model, author, new mom & body positivity advocate.   Amanda is the author of the Amazon bestseller ‘The New Mode Code: Shatter Expectations and Crush It at Motherhood’. In her book, Amanda takes you through her clumsy journey into motherhood and shares how she learned to embrace her new self — stretch marks, rolls, and all. With journal pr...

Send us Fan Mail Undoubtedly, many stay-at-home moms feel lonely.  From my perspective, here are my honest reasons why: Lack of adult interaction My identity as an individual feels lost Days can feel repetitive Societal views of stay-at-home moms However, the real question should be, "How do you reduce feeling lonely as a stay-at-home-mom?" Understandably, saying that stay-at-home moms f...

Send us Fan Mail TEDx talk presenter, Michelle Enjoli is sharing with us, the importance of routinely reconnecting with yourself as a human aside from being a mother, partner, etc.   She routinely helps mothers reinvent themselves by working with them through a career pivot, new job search, or personal branding. Michelle is a first-generation college student who landed her dream job as a televisio...

Send us Fan Mail Mindful Eating, Am I Hungry? With Dr. Michelle May, Founder of Am I Hungry?  As a former family physician, Dr. Michelle May saw that many of her patients, like her, struggled with their relationship with food.   In her own words, her unhealthy relationship with food was her “dirty secret.” Dr. May is the founder of Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Programs and Training ( www. AmIHungry...

Send us Fan Mail Getting our children outside more is not always the easiest task.   Carrie Herzberger, Founder of Go Outside Now, shares insight on the importance of getting our children outside more plus getting out the door easier and the benefits of having less stuff.   Go Outside Now, helps families increase connection and spend more time outside as part of a healthy and happy lifestyle.   To...

Send us Fan Mail Yes!  I became a first-time mother in my 40s.  To be precise, I was 42 years old when my son was born.   In this episode, here are the reasons why becoming a first-time mom in my 40s was best for our family.   We each have our own paths that should be free from judgment.    When loving people want to be parents, it is a win-win for everyone.   Please listen with an open mind on wh...

Send us Fan Mail Social media has many positive benefits and the forum to provide support and understanding.  Unfortunately, it also presents opportunities to criticize and speak to people in ways we would never do in person.    Upon reflection, here are a few ways I learned from my own mistakes and imperfections, to choose my words with kindness and compassion.   If you’d like to show some kindne...

Send us Fan Mail February 17th is National Random Act of Kindness Day.   It is a reminder to share kindness with others (and ourselves).  However, being kind is very easy.  It does not have to be time consuming or financially driven.     To learn more simple and fast acts of kindness, visit http://momtreadingwater.com/20-fast-and-simple-ways-to-express-kindness/   To order the postcards mentioned...

Send us Fan Mail This week, my son and I had a conflict as he was getting ready for school.  (Really, it was his lack of getting ready for school.)   I made it worse by raising  my voice and not deescalating the situation,.     As the adult, I own the situation and I needed to apologize.    I did not adhere to the structure we try to provide in our home of being happy, healthy and respectful.  It...

Send us Fan Mail As moms, we tell our children we love them but parenting means show ing our children "I love you."   Here are 6 very simple ways, we can learn to listen more and take interest in the easiest of ways.     Please rate, review, subscribe and share Mom Treading Water.    Episodes are available on app podcast apps or by visiting our website:    https://www.momtreadingwater.co...

Send us Fan Mail What Is a “Good Mom?” Spoiler alert!!! You do not need to be a perfect mom,  to be a good mom.   We hear moms say, “I want to be a good mom.”  Heck, I say I want to be a good mom all the time.  But what does it truly mean to be a “good mom?”   Inspired, I reached out to some of my favorite moms and mom groups to get their thoughts on what they think it means to be a “good mom.”  S...

Send us Fan Mail Living with ADHD, depression, anxiety and Type 1 diabetes along with a type A personality,  can make everyday feel like a mixture of oil and water.    Accepting that I am unable to have control of all aspects of my life is a daily struggle.       In my journey to grow, I am trying to change my mindset and by setting an action plan.   It is helping me gain more acceptance of what I...

Send us Fan Mail Insecurities and Confidence (Encouraging Positivity) Constantly judging and negative criticism creates insecurities in yourself and others.    In my own struggles with criticizing others, I now realize it is a behavior that stems from my own insecurities.     My insecurities cover most aspects of my life from my physical appearance to my artistic abilities.  It has stopped me from...

Send us Fan Mail We have all overstepped our boundaries.  When it comes to family planning, infertility and adoption,  there is no place for gossip.   It is important to recognize that no one is obligated to share information they feel is private.    Although there might not be and intent of malice or unkindness, making light or jokes can be insensitive.  Many people feeling anxiety and stress try...

Send us Fan Mail We all have moments we offer unsolicited opinions, especially in a tone that is not inviting.   I have definitely had “put my foot in my mouth” moments and the filter was non-existent.   It is something I am trying to do better by changing my mindset and approach.   If you have suggestions or comments about Mom Treading Water, either contact me through Facebook or by email at momt...

Send us Fan Mail ***Trigger Warning* Depression, Anxiety and Seasonal Depression*** This year I have given myself the gift of imperfection.  It still causes me some anxiety but I realized focusing on what is not perfect, I’m missing all the moments of perfection.    The holidays are not always a joyous time for children or adults and watching others always wearing a happy face can make it tougher....

Send us Fan Mail Finding the right medical care provider, whether that is your doctor, dentist, NP or anyone who partners with you in managing your healthcare is crucial.   Notice I say “partner” because as patients, we need to own our health and work with providers that are open to listening.    Angela Tillotson, FNP supports me in managing my type 1 diabetes.   She takes all my concerns seriousl...

Send us Fan Mail As the year is ending, many of us start to create our New Year’s resolutions.  This is probably a very unpopular opinion, but I do not like New Year’s resolutions.    It seems like a way to procrastinate or delay achieving goals and allowing your fate being defined by a calendar start.    We set these enormous expectations upon ourselves because it is January 1st and it can feel f...

Send us Fan Mail Right when you think you know your kids, you discover something new.   During episode 27, Getting To Know You , this is exactly what happened while interviewing my kids.   Most of the answers my husband and I expected but we both uncovered things we did not know.   We have dinner as a family, spend time 1 on 1 and as a family, but without asking real questions beyond “How was your...

Send us Fan Mail If you are looking to save money,  teach your children about money, create a budget or tidy up your current budget or information on student loans and college saving, this is a must listen episode!   Jane Stevens has been successful financial advisor for over 9 years and provides valuable tips and tools to best utilize your hard earned money.   She shares how she and her husband h...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode was very eye-opening.   As we approach the holiday season, I was reflecting upon my gratitude for my children, Jackson and Mickey.   They are kind, loving, fun, creative, and all-around wonderful people.   My conversation with each of my children, in the form of playing questions, provided some insight I did not expect.   I asked questions that I normally would...

Send us Fan Mail If you are looking for LEGITIMATE ways to work from home, you need to listen to my interview with founder of Tried and True Mom Jobs, Whitney Bonds.    She has earned over 6-figures in less than 2 years working from home plus she is a mom of 3 small children.   It definitely takes work, but Whitney provides the blueprint to get you started faster.    https://triedandtruemomjobs.co...