Motherhood, Mental Health and Money

Hi! How is your week going? The weather has been amazing lately in the Capital Region, and I am happy to enjoy a little heat even though being hot isn’t my happy place. I’m grateful for rising serotonin levels and all that free vitamin D.

This week has been great with the girls. As always, we enjoyed good food, being outdoors, beautiful art, and wonderful sister moments. We are in peak tulip season in my neck of the woods, so I enjoy watching them bloom.

Fibromyalgia and Mental Health Awareness Month

We are in the month that recognizes two causes near and dear to me. As someone who lives with fibromyalgia, I talk about the many ways that fibromyalgia affects my life and my mental health. Catch up on these stories on the blog that address these two important topics and the areas of life they affect.

Career: How Substitute Teaching Became a Gift at a Difficult Time

Parenting: 3 Most Valuable Lessons My Children and I Have Learned from My Chronic Illness and Parenting through Pain: Navigating Motherhood with Chronic Illness and Love

Relationships: Chronic Illnesses: When Sticking to a Routine Gets Hard and Tolerable Unhappiness and Female Desire and Lina of “Three Women”

Life: 5 Ways to Have More Mindful Interactions With People Who Have a Chronic Illness

I really hope these stories serve as a great resource for you. Be sure to leave your thoughts and words of encouragement.

Celebrating Motherhood

Mother’s Day is coming up soon and what better time to revise an old post Motherhood as Ministry: A Sacred Calling. I show appreciation to the ones who have chosen to be childless, a decision that shows the highest form of self-awareness. As a mother, I wholeheartedly support any woman who decides to blaze her path without the added pressures of motherhood.

Motherhood has such a major impact on all facets of life that it would be irresponsible to not consider the ramifications of such a life-altering decision. “Whether you view motherhood as birthright, obligation or choice, in its most authentic form, motherhood is ministry.”

Here are some of the ways that motherhood is ministry:

Nurturing Hearts and Minds. As mothers, we tend to the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs of our children. We become their teacher and their source of love and guidance. The simple act of listening and comforting our children is ministry to their hearts and minds. It shapes them into compassionate, resilient, and thoughtful individuals. We may not always get it right, but focusing on doing better with every new day is how we can fulfill this role.

Cultivating Values and Virtues. Mothers play a crucial role in instilling values such as honesty, kindness and empathy in their children. As we interact daily with our children, we model these virtues, guiding them to understand the importance of integrity, compassion, and respect for others. As we heal and protect our inner child, we will keep passing on these lessons learned.

Creating a Safe Haven. In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, our love and support offer a sense of security and belonging. A mom’s goal is to create a haven for her children. Moms also need support from their tribe and nothing feels better than when needs are communicated and everyone is up to speed. In the meantime, whether it's through a warm embrace, a listening ear, or a comforting presence, moms will continue to provide refuge, solace and strength.

Embracing the Sacredness of Everyday Moments. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to overlook the sacredness of ordinary moments. Yet, in the eyes of a mother, even the most mundane tasks become sacred acts of love and service. Whether it's preparing a meal, tucking her children into bed, or sharing a laugh together, a mother recognizes the divine beauty in these simple gestures, knowing that they are building bonds that will last a lifetime.

Growing Together in Faith. A mother guides her children on a journey of faith. Whether it's through bedtime prayers, family rituals, or conversations about life's big questions, a mother helps her children cultivate a sense of wonder and reverence for the world around them. Together, they explore the mysteries of life and deepen their understanding of their place in the universe.

Money Saving Tips at Your Local Library

If you’re not already on Threads, join the conversations happening. I am learning so much in this space. I came across a post from Two Sides of a Dime, about how you can maximize the use of your library card for significant savings of a little over $10,000 yearly. I love my local library and I already used it in so many ways including trips to the museum, but here are some other suggestions by Eduek.

• Audiobooks

• Museums

• Movies and music

• Coworking space

• Event space

• LinkedIn Learning

• Markerspace

• Toys and gaming consoles

• Videogames

• Gadgets and gear

I would encourage getting in the comments, because people added more ways that Eduek did not mention. Let’s all save money together.

Summer Camps Savings. I did one thing this week that is going to save my family almost $8000 in summer camp costs for my two girls. This isn’t a tip for everyone, but it can be greatly useful to a stay-at-home parent, or a parent with summer breaks who has the time and means to make use of this opportunity.

It is called a work trade. Typically, a work trade is where volunteers offer their time and skills to work in exchange for free accommodation. In this situation, a work trade allows a parent to volunteer their skills and services to a summer program their child(ren) can attend for free. I initially sent an email briefly explaining my circumstances and requested a scholarship or a trade of my skills with an attached resume. As I mentioned, this isn’t for everyone, but a very useful and helpful option for those who can.

With that said, have a fantastic weekend everyone. Take care of yourselves and each other.