5 Motivating Mommy Messages

It's so hard to believe I've been on this "Mommy Journey" for more than 20 years! Both of our daughters are now young adults, preparing for their future. They are completing college, looking for career opportunities and praying for which path to follow as they leave home to begin life on their own.  Although their hopes and dreams have changed over the years, I still stand by the same "Motivating Mommy Messages" I wrote many years ago to inspire myself and others. And I hope no matter where you are on your Motherhood journey, you will find these words are relevant to you too: 

1) Ask for Help:  You don't have to be "Super Mom" to be labeled as a good parent. Reach out to others you can trust. Learn to ask for help from family members and friends.

2) Be Prepared:  Don't just "wing it". Take time to plan ahead. Not just planning for the next day for work and school, but for your life. Speak to a financial expert to plan for your financial future; make healthy choices for your physical health.  Planning ahead can save you time and energy.

3) Complete your Tasks: When you start something, finish it. Keeping your promises will show others you can be trusted and it also shows your leadership skills.

4) Dress for Respect: It doesn't matter if your clothes are from the mall or the thrift store. Don't focus on the designer label or if it has no label. When you dress in a respectful way, you will gain respect from others. 

5) Encourage Someone: You never know who may need your support; a kind word, a hug or a smile. Give encouragement to another Mom and tell her she matters.

I hope these messages will uplift you as you travel the road through Motherhood💗

Celebrate Minority Health Month

April is National Minority Health Month and states around the country are celebrating. And Ohio is no exception. The Ohio Commission on Minority Health is sharing information on various events being held across our state. Minority Health Month began in Ohio in April 1989, then it became a national holiday in 2000. This year's theme is "Achieveing Equity in Birth Outcomes". Click on this link www.mih.ohio.gov/minority-health-month and I'm sure you'll find events that will have a positive impact in your community. 

Women's History Month Feature: Shirley Anita Chisholm

If you thought that Hillary Rodham Clinton was the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, you would be wrong. That honor actually goes to a Black woman:  Shirley Chisholm. Born as Shirley Anita St. Hill to immigrant parents on November 30, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, she always embraced her heritage and considered herself to be a Barbadian American. Shirley was a leader at an early age and excelled in her academics. After receiving a scholarship to Brooklyn College, she would eventually earn a master's degree in education from Columbia University. Shirley was considered an expert on early childhood education and worked as a consultant to New York City's Bureau of Child Welfare from 1959-1964. Shirley stepped into politics in 1968, becoming the first Black woman to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1972, she declared her candidacy for the office of President of the United States; the first Black and the first woman to make that bid! Even after her retirement from Congress in 1983, Shirley used her gifts as an educator and an advocate. She taught at Mount Holyoke College and continued to speak out against the Vietnam War. Throughout her life, she helped with causes to improve living conditions for the poor and disadvantaged. Shirley Chisholm passed way on January 1, 2005. You can learn more about Shirley Chisholm by reading her autobiography: "Unbought and Unbossed" and by watching the film SHIRLEY, premiering on Netflix on March 22, 2024.

An Amazing Woman in Herstory : Marva Collins

I'm a firm believer that Black History IS American History so we should celebrate it alongside the stories of our founding fathers and mothers. And as misguided politicians and perceived pundits try to erase Black History, it's becoming even more important for all Americans to listen and learn about the many ways African Americans have contributed to this nation.  

One amazing American we all should know is Marva Knight Collins. Born on August 31, 1936 in Monroeville, Alabama, Collins' early life was attending school in a strict, one-room schoolhouse. This learning experience would have a profound effect on her later in life.

After graduating from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, Collins returned to teach in Alabama. Eventually she moved to Chicago, and over the next 14 years, she taught in the inner-city Chicago Public Schools as a full-time substitute teacher. 

Collins would marry Clarence Collins and together they would have 3 children. Although she had a happy homelife, Collins became very frustrated with the teaching techniques she witnessed in the public-school system. Using money from her personal funds, Collins started a private school in Chicago called the Westside Preparatory School. The low-cost private school was specifically designed to help teach low-income Black children who Collins felt had been mislabeled as being learning disabled. 

The Westside Preparatory School became an educational and commercial success. Collins received recognitions and awards from the school house to the White House, where Collins was the National Medal of Humanities recipient presented by President George W. Bush. In 1981 a movie based on her life, entitled The Marva Collins Story aired on TV. Before her death in 2015, Collins also became an Honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  

This is just one Black History story. Take time to learn more about Black Americans who have impacted our country and our world.

Happy New You!

Sometimes when I strike up a conversation with a lady while we're waiting in the grocery store checkout line,  I'll ask her, "So what do you do?" Most of the time she'll respond by saying, "Oh, I'm just a Mom." What are you talking about? No one is "Just a Mom"!  Moms are Influencers.  Think how your Mom influenced your life. Moms are Educators. What are you teaching your children? And Moms are Advocates. No one speaks up and supports their children like a Mom. So if you are one of those ladies who has labeled herself as, "Just a Mom", Stop it! Please change your words. Beginning in 2024 see yourself for who you really are. You have the most powerful job in the world! Know your value. You are raising the next generation of leaders. You have Power, You have Pride, You Are Awesome!

Music Matters

During this special season, many people are playing the music of the holiday. However, as far back as I can remember, music has always been a very important part of my life. My parents played music in our home all the time. They would also take me to concerts and musicals. I was a member of the choir in my school and at my church. In elementary school I learned to play the flute. Even today, I enjoy different types of music. And music can affect my mood. During this Christmas season when I hear Nat King Cole singing "The Christmas Song" on the radio, it brings back fond memories from my childhood.  And I'll admit, I have followed that same pattern with my children. I began playing music to them while they were in the womb. I have exposed them to all types of music; from Mozart to MJ. And I'm not doing it because of tradition, but because of the benefits music can bring. A study from St. John's University and Iona College says that music aids in memory development and retrieval as early as three months of age. So if you start playing music to your infant today, it could have a positive effect on their motor skills and creative thinking in the future! There is some type of music for everyone to enjoy. Find your melody and add music to your child's life year-round.

Fill In The Blank

Have you ever said, "One day, I'm going to...Fill In The Blank? It may be writing a book; getting your college degree; running a marathon. I have. Even at my age I still have hopes and dreams.  And people of any age should have a Fill In The Blank idea. You don't have to be a teenager or in your early 20's to make plans for your future. And no matter your age, time isn't standing still. In fact, most days, it seems time is going by very fast! Even though we all have the same 24 hours in a day, some people use their time wisely, while others seem to waste every minute.

What is your Fill In The Blank? Do you want to learn a new language; travel to an exotic destination, lose ten pounds? Yea, me too!

Start planning! The clock is ticking! It's never too late to complete your Fill In The Blank!