Author: powers

I’ve read many books and articles about Mom Life.  Some detail the complexities of taking care of a family.  Others highlight the requirements of raising well-rounded children and  managing a home.  Let’s not forget the multiple discussions on work-life balance.  After extensive research, I have concluded that I can do it all…just not all at once.

I pride myself on being a Super Mommy.  I do what is necessary to take care of my family, my home, and myself.  I haven’t arrived at some great destination.  Instead, I’m enjoying an ongoing adventure.  I consider it a labor of love; one with many moving parts.  I am the forewoman of my family factor.

The key, for me, is scheduling.  Notice I said, “for me”.  I don’t claim to know what is best for every family.  I can only share what works for me and encourage you to discover what is best for your family.

I use a color-coded calendar.  I encourage my husband and children to use their calendars also.  We share an app.  If everyone’s events are planned, then I have the opportunity schedule accordingly.  Scheduling is definitely one of my stronger Super Mommy Powers.  I cannot be in four places at once, but all of us can have our needs met in due time.

I enjoy taking care of my children.  I also enjoy teaching them to take care of themselves.  I’m teaching them the importance of planning ahead and prioritizing.  I’m helping them discover their own Super Powers.

I recently noticed that when I fill up my car it lasts longer than it did in the past.  It is most likely because I am going fewer places than before.  Regardless, I am thankful that what I am doing helps me go a long way.  The same is true in other aspects of my life.

I gladly fill my children’s “tanks” as often as possible.  The ability to nurture my children is one of my greatest Super Mommy Powers.  There are several options when it comes to meeting dietary needs and lifestyles.  Find out what is best for each member of your family to grow healthy and happy.  It is also very important to nurture our children emotionally.   As a Super Mommy, I take great pride in pouring into my children to help them develop the qualities they need to thrive.

Every Super Mommy should also fill her own tank.  I’ve said it before: you cannot pour from an empty vessel.  It is necessary to fill up on the things we need to charge our Super Mommy Powers.  We need to be filled physically, emotionally, and socially. Exercise when you can.  Eat a healthy diet.  Spend time reading or in quiet reflection.  When possible, encourage another Super Mommy in your circle.  Maybe you can fill your tanks together.  Like our cars, we function better when we are properly fueled.  I encourage you to fill your tank and use your Super Mommy Powers today.

Spring is on the way.  I love this season because it is a time for growth and new life.  I’m looking forward to planting a new garden.  I have learned from the mistakes I made with the garden I planted years ago, and now I am ready to try again.  Perseverance is one of my Super Mommy Powers.

I want my children to know the power of perseverance too.  I want them to know they can learn from their failures and continue working toward success.  There is a big difference between failing and quitting.  Some things come easily or naturally, but we may not always be great the first time we do a new thing.  It is important to think about what went wrong, then think about how to make it better.  I remind them that hard work pays off.

This garden will also give me a chance to try something new.  The last garden consisted of fruits and vegetables planted in the ground.  This time I’m growing flowers and herbs in raised boxes.  As a Super Mommy I know the importance of taking time to do things I enjoy.  My new garden will be a source of enjoyment for me and a chance to show my children the benefits of perseverance.  It’s a win-win situation!  I encourage you to renew your Super Mommy Powers this spring too.

February is Heart Month.  Women’s heart health is a primary focus.  Often, we spend so much time caring for others that we neglect to care for ourselves.  This is especially true of mothers.  As a Super Mommy, we must do better!

There are so many ways to take care of your heart.  Eating a healthy balanced diet is essential.  Many food packages and menu items display a heart healthy mark to support your selections.  You can also find tons of recipes online with delicious options for healthy eating.   It is equally important to get active.  Consider developing a regular fitness routine for yourself, or with a partner for motivation and accountability. Daily walking or jogging might be the way to start.  If you are interested in exercise classes, the internet is filled with free videos ranging from five minutes to hours.  Aerobic dancing is my favorite.  Of course, you should always remember to make time for rest and sleep.  It is the best way to recharge your Super Mommy Powers.  Last, but not least, spend time doing the good things you love with the people you love and those who love you.

Having a healthy lifestyle is beneficial to you and the next generation you are raising.  They are always observing, so give them a good example to follow.  Being a positive influence on my children is a Super Mommy Power that I cherish.

Happy New Year!  January is filled with opportunities and potential.  It is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts.  Now is a great time to think about goals you want to accomplish and routines you would like to establish.  If making resolutions motivates you, then go for it!

The new year is also a great time to activate some of your many Super Mommy Powers like organizing, planning, and nurturing.  If you’ve been wanting to create a schedule for your family, then there is no time like the present.  Maybe you would like to develop a meal plan to help answer the dreaded question, “What’s for dinner?”  Also remember to make time for self-care.  It is a very important Super Mommy Power.

Be sure that whatever you do, pace yourself.  It is easy to get overwhelmed by the thought of doing something new, but don’t allow it.  Consider it more of a challenge than a chore.  Sometimes the first step is the hardest one.  That means things usually get easier once you get started.  So…get started.  You are a Super Mommy with the Powers to love and care for your family and yourself.

This is probably the first Mother’s Day in a long time where there won’t be long waiting lines in crowded restaurants, filled pews in worship services, or handmade crafts hidden in school backpacks.  In times like these it is easy to get overwhelmed by the daily news and statistics of the global pandemic.  While it is important to be aware of what is going on, it is also important not to get obsessed with the situation.

One of the many superpowers moms have is the ability to take care of the people around them.  It is crucial that we activate those powers now.  We want to make sure that our families are physically, emotionally, and financially healthy.  In times like these, compassion for others is healthy and appropriate, and so is self care.  When flight attendants review the safety procedures, they tell you that in the event of an emergency you should put on your own oxygen mask before placing one on your child.  This concept is applicable in every situation.

This Mother’s Day may look different from others you have celebrated.  It may or may not be a day of pampering and treats.  Either way, take a moment to check in with yourself.  One of my favorite sayings is ‘You cannot pour from an empty cup’.  It reminds me that I must take care of myself so that I will be able to care for the ones I love.  It is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.  Happy Mother’s Day!

I recently reflected on my first post in which I stated, “We’re all given the same twenty-four hours every day.  It’s up to us to decide what to do with them.  Since I can’t change the quantity of time I have, I’m determined to improve the quality.  I have decided to employ my Super Mommy Powers!”

Those words came back to me during a conversation about balance.  It’s a topic that comes up often among women, especially mothers.  Everyone wants to achieve balance.  Some of us want the Martha Stewart home and the six-figure career.  So, how do I achieve balance in the twenty-four hours I’m given each day?  My Super Mommy Powers led me to several options and plans, but I think I’ve narrowed it down to this: Get organized, Prioritize, Schedule, and Stick to it.

If you’re like me, your brain starts racing early in the day and doesn’t slow down until late in the evening.  To organize my thoughts, I make lists of all the things I need to accomplish.  I’ve discovered that the best way for me to organize all the lists and myself is to use a calendar.  My favorite is the one on my phone, because I share it with my family.  I have it color coded!  Color coding is one of my Super Mommy Powers for organization.

Once I became organized, I knew I needed to prioritize. Despite my many powers I realize I cannot be everything to everyone, nor at multiple places all at the same time.  I must first focus on what is most important and necessary.  Those events get placed on the calendar, along with a schedule of chores, practices, and appointments.

The real challenge comes in sticking to the schedule.  Experience has taught me that once I get off schedule, it is difficult to get back on.  Reminding myself of that helps me stay on track.  This system is helping me find balance in my life.  I hope you use your Super Mommy Powers to find balance in your life.

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

It’s September!  Summer is winding down and the kids are going back to school.  Now is the time to get organized and put routines in place.

My children attend public schools where uniforms are not required.  We went shopping last month to buy clothes and shoes for them to wear to school this year.  I rarely buy outfits.  I usually purchase pieces that can be mixed and matched in a variety of ways.  That gives the children the opportunity to create a variety of looks.

A few years ago I bought hanging organizers for each of their closets.  It is a set of small shelves hanging vertically.  The goal is to have the children choose their outfits for the week on Sunday afternoon.  They place their top, bottom, undergarments, and socks for each day on a shelf; starting with Monday’s selections on the top shelf.  Every morning, they can go right to the shelf and begin to get dressed.

Routines help us avoid morning chaos.  We all seem to have a better day when our mornings run smoothly and we leave the house with smiles and hugs instead of rushing out the door. Take some time to think about routines that could help organize your family.  Organizing is one of my Super Mommy Powers.  I’m sure the power is within you too!