Parenting Archives - Page 2 of 158

Pause is My Word for 2019 What’s Your Word?

December 31, 2018 By: Nanette

Here we are again at the end of another year as thoughts of the past year flow through our minds, we pause when we think of the hopes we hold out for the new year ahead. It’s been a difficult year for me – emotionally, physically and mentally.

As with every year, there have been ups and downs, highs and lows, wins and losses. The losses have devastated me, the highs have lifted me. My word for 2018 was Forward. To be honest with you, I think keeping that word in the forefront this year helped me get through it all. It was a constant reminder to myself to keep moving forward, to not hang on to the troubles of the day but to move past them. It also was a reminder to not stop working towards my goals.

This year I stepped out of my comfort zone on more than one occasion and for that, I’m proud of myself. I applied for the Sony Alpha grant. Now, that was hard but I did it and I’m glad I did. Didn’t win the grant but still felt like a winner because I tried. I pushed myself forward through the fear and did it. It required a video submission and as hard as it was I pushed forward and did it. It was raw, open, honest and emotional for me but I did it. I learned a lot from the process. I learned from it. I wasn’t just being open for the grant but to myself and my feelings.

So yes, I’m giving myself a word for 2019.

My word for 2019

Pause.

Not stop, not a break, just a pause.

I get so wrapped up in the everyday things I forget to breathe. I forget to give myself time to pause life and just take a few minutes for myself to breathe deeply.

My health isn’t where I’d like it to be. This is another area in which I need to pause what I’m doing for others and do for me. I’ve struggled with anxiety since I was in my 20’s. For the most part, I’ve been able to keep it under control but lately, it seems to be coming back and I need to get to a place where I am in control of it again and not the other way around.

My personal goals. Again I put everyone else ahead of me. I struggle and yes I really struggle to allow myself to do things for me because I’m too busy saying yes to everyone else. I did that one this year when I went to the Confidence Workshop. And I gotta tell you, it was the most refreshed, relaxed, inspiring and encouraging weekend I have had in a very, very long time. I didn’t realize how much I needed to pause life and give to myself for just a few days.

So if throughout the year, you notice I haven’t posted here on the blog, or maybe on my social media accounts, don’t worry I won’t be gone long. I’m just taking my word to heart and pushing the pause button for a little while.

What’s In Your Journal?

December 4, 2018 By: Nanette

Do you journal? What does your journal look like? Is it a home to dump all the negative or a journal of your daily successes and accomplishments? Is it a simple book or is it one filled with colorful stickers and doodles?

Mine is a simple little red notebook, no doodles or stickers just a place for me to dump all my thoughts. My handwriting is so bad, I’m probably the only person who could read it and even I have trouble sometimes.

Why Journal?

After the Confidence Workshop in late September, I began journaling. I had given it a try before and felt like it just wasn’t for me. However, I gave it another try and this time, I realized the power of it. I was able to put all the negativity that clouded my mind down on the page, put it aside on my nightstand and leave it there. It wouldn’t follow me around all day, keeping me from doing the things I should and wanted to. The negative thinking wouldn’t hold me back.

Sometimes I find myself writing only the negative stuff maybe just to get it out I don’t know but then I look back and think, Stop it! Your life is good, be grateful for it.

Yes, I have bad days, we all do but is that what I want to go back and read in a year or two, or even in a week? No, I don’t!

I want to go back and read what I loved about today, yes it’s ok to write out the negative stuff to get it out of my head but then replace it with the good. Find the joy in my heart. What am I proud of today?
What brings me joy today?

I Must Be Doing Something Right

I’ll tell you one thing, I am proud of my baby girl today. I’m always proud of her. Today she sent me a message that warmed my heart. Sometimes I fear I’m failing her as a parent, today her words reassured me I am not. She is growing up strong, intelligent and kind, able to be as happy for others and their successes as she is for her own.

The Power of Womanhood

This is the kind of woman I want her to grow up to be, one who is supportive of another woman, encouraging and uplifting rather than competing. This is the power of womanhood.

Today again I am a proud mom!

How To Put Negativity Out of Your Mind

October 17, 2018 By: Nanette

We all have rough days, some days worse than others. Some days negativity comes from those around us but somedays, we do it to ourselves. We let the negative thinking take over.

Recently, I asked some friends about how they handle it because I was having one of those days. The advice and tips they gave me were so loving, kind and helpful that I wanted to share them with you. You just never know when you’re going to have to put negativity out of your mind.

Dealing with Negativity

Self-care – do something to feed your soul. Don’t do it for any other reason than it makes you feel good.

Be a duck! – That may sound silly but it was good advice. Let the negativity roll off like water on a duck’s back.

My sister has been using that one for years, how could I forget that?

Focus on the Good – Be grateful for the day and move forward with a smile. Too many people have trouble seeing the good that surrounds them. Look for simple things to be grateful for and look for the wonder in small things (little hands, a leaf, wildflowers). It may sound silly but it really did help.

Positivity – Remove yourself from the negativity and surround yourself with positive people who lift your spirits.

Meditation – Close your eyes and be quiet with your thoughts.

Read your Bible – When you’re feeling low, God’s word reminds you how much you are loved and how precious you are to Him.

Music – Listen to music that makes you happy, that gets your toes tapping and your heart singing. It’s amazing how music can change how you feel so quickly.

Learn from it, then move past it – Sometimes the negative can make you stronger, you can learn from it, and then move past it.

Journaling – dump all the negativity that surrounds you onto paper. Let it stay there instead of allowing it to weigh on you.

I hope the next time you are surrounded by negativity, you remember these tips and they help you put the negative thoughts in their place and move past them.