Single Life with a Little Girl && Law School.

[singlemominthelaw]

Encouraging Children to Grow

Lillie informed me that there was a mess on the couch and I needed to clean it, So, I told her it was her mess and she needed to clean it up instead, not me. She told me she wasn’t bigger than me. I told her she was big enough to do anything, got up, and explained how to use the vacuum. She was vacuuming the couch and when I told her she was doing a great job she smiled so hugely. I love being a mom

Praising and encouraging your children allows them to grow. They believe in themselves and have high self-esteem, it is a brilliant thing to allow your child to flourish until an adult. Let them make messes and let THEM clean the messes up.  

[singlemominthelaw]

Body Talk

Lillie was walking through the dining room and all of a sudden grabs her belly and goes, "I have a big belly. It's big. I'm big" so not even thinking I instantly pulled up my shirt, pushed up my belly and rubes it like she was hers and said, "Mommy has a big belly too Lillie." She smiled and moved on with her life after that.

My daughter is three and already analyzing her body. They are always watching and if you talk positively about your body they will see that and love themselves. Life is about being healthy and not about whether you are big or small or how much the scale says you weigh. Be careful about what you say about yourself in front of little ears because that means more than anything else they hear. You are their heroes.

[singlemominthelaw]

Cheetah Showers

We are in Florida. We are having tons of fun with our cousins. Today we went to jump zone and had a blast before heading to dinner. We chose to go to Chic fil a for dinner. Get out of the car, Lillie says I want my momma. I grab her and two seconds later... throw up. It was tiny and went to the ground. As we cross the street she says, “There’s more!” I spread my legs, bend her forward, and there I am holding a vomiting three-year-old in the air. My cheetah shoes only face minor battle wounds. My baby girl is peacefully laying in bed with me with peppermint on her chest. She’s also snoring.

[singlemominthelaw]

Parenting is hard. Being a single mother is hard. What’s the hardest thing in life? Letting go of what life is demanding. There are deadlines that have to be met; clothes that have to be washed; and children need to be taught. Instead of stressing of the many tasks that need to be executed, breathe. Take a break. Drink your coffee. Jump in rain puddles. Let your little human jump in the rain puddles while you drink coffee. Take every moment you can to enjoy and love the small things. Cherish the tiny socks. Breathe in the smell of baby. Bask in the sticky kisses. Enjoy the colorful handprints. Love it all, because one-day things will be different. You will look back and think, “Why didn’t I breathe?” Always remember everything will get done because you are a kick-ass woman. There is always time to enjoy the moment! 

[singlemominthelaw]

Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human.

Tony Robbins

[singlemominthelaw]

Cookies && Taco Bell

This morning on the way to school, my daughter got a pre-breakfast snack. It was cookie... a cookie she found on the floor of the car from last night’s gymnastics class.... We go into class and ALL the kids say good morning. Instantly, someone asks, “What does Lillie have?” I told them it was something they couldn’t eat for breakfast and her teacher chimed in calling it a poptart. Next thing you know I’m getting recommendations on muffins. Mom win!

That night after a long day, I am starving. I pull into Taco Bell and instantly she rehashes that they have fries with hot cheese and ketchup. Oh and they have burritos. I was like oh she can see the pictures on the sign. Then she says, “We are at Taco Bell mom!” How does she know? We’ve been here once in the last 6 months. I might have also responded a little too proud, so she made a song about how it was Taco Bell.

[singlemominthelaw]

Self Talk - They Watch

We are in the Ross dressing room trying on outfits for our trip to Florida. I try this black dress on, it has white stripes and a gold sun necklace attached. Instantaneously as I slide it onto my body I hear, “You so pretty, are you pretty?” Now you have to options as you stare in the mirror: (1) Ew, no this dress looks horrible or (2) Yes, yes I am pretty. I chose the later. Her response to this was magical. She said, “You are a princess, a pretty princess Mommy!” She grabbed both of my hands and began to dance. Then, when she let go of my hands she said, “Spin Mommy, spin!” I spun then of course.  That’s when it happened, in her young three-year-old little voice she said, “We are both so pretty Mommy.” 

Everything we say sculps our little ones. They are resilient sponges that absorb and learn from everything around them. Make sure you love you too because that will teach them to love themselves. 

[singlemominthelaw]

Morning Rush.

We are running late. We have to get to school because it is almost 8:00am. 8:30 is when breakfast stops and learning starts. I am rushing! I know I N•E•E•D coffee, but I have NO TIME. Solution: throw some ice and a can of coke zero in my “A woman’s place is in the House & the Senate.” mug. I walk back over to the door. Turn to my 3-year-old and ask, “Why are you standing in the corner? Where are your shoes?” She looks guilty. She is walking very strange. “Did you pee pants?” No. “Did you poop your pants?” Pause... No. “Come here.” Feel her put.... a poop rock. OK mission: get to school quickly. I have options, change her clothes or grab the poop out of her underwear. I choose the latter. I grab a yellow piece of paper, grab the poop, run outside, and throw it in the trash. I grab the wipes, wipe her but, wipe panties, and decide to start a blog. Day one: Successful. 

[singlemominthelaw]

Children who lose their innocence through guilt.

"I am under no illusion sending you to prison will not help." - Judge sentences him to 9 years in prison. There is a new podcast on Spotify called Caught (linked below. It is worth it. Society is not treating the children who get in trouble with the law appropriately and the system needs to be changed. If a child begins down this path, they need help... not punishment.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GFBP9nKRPVcT592a0ZsJQ?si=HQ_pc3KZRy6vSZnAdBlJoQ