Alot .Of. Tola

Lets be real being a mom is full time 24/7 around the clock job, you barely ever really get a break and just when you think you are getting a break to go pee, there is someone barging into the bathroom or messing with the handle to unlock it (sigh) but every once in awhile you might get that 5 mins of silence or if you are lucky a full hour of nap time to get a breather and take in some fresh air. With summer and the girls keeping me heavily busy, I have learnt to cherish and really utilize these little times I get and utilize them to my advantage. Here are my go to things to enjoy my moment of peace.

• Listening to Podcasts, if you are not into podcasts what are you seriously doing lol jk. Podcasts have really become a favorite of mine, anytime I need something to pick me up or just to get me energized and motivated again I will put in an awesome podcast and listen to it. And the great thing about podcast episodes most of them are very short and sweet and to the point. A few of my favorites to listen to are The Influencer podcast- Julie Solomon is absolutely the best her podcast and interviews with her guests are just so relevant and also awesome for new bloggers still trying to learn about this business and how to get it right I highly recommend it if you are a new business woman or blogger still trying to figure it all out. Woman Evolve - Sarah Jakes Roberts is honestly my soul sister in my head, she gets me and that is why I am such a fan of her podcast. Its the perfect mix of God and ratchet lol seriously she talks about everything on this podcast, from faith to entertainment and she does it in such a casual setting you literally feel like you are having a conversation with your girlfriend. Myleik Teele - I mean if you don't listen to Myleik then do you really listen to podcasts lol Her podcast I would say is perfect for some self motivation especially for young entrepreneurs but honestly if you are not one and just needing a nice pep talk to step up your game in life then you need to listen to her podcast. 
• Reading ok i lied listening to audio books. I am a huge fan of reading a good book, but let me tell you how I have been trying to finish the same book for over 6months the struggle is so real on that. But God blessed me other day when I found out about Libby  it is this amazing ebook and audiobook app that you link you library card to and you can check out books and read or listen to them right off your phone (my mind was so blown when I found this out) Its honestly the biggest life saver for me, because now I can listen to books I want at down times or even while driving and never have to feel like I lost my last spot lol. 
• Listening to music, I love love love listening to music like it literally is free therapy it calms me down and the great thing about music there is a specific type of song to match your mood whatever that is. 
• Sleeping, I used to not be one that took naps but something about having kids that makes you just have a new found appreciation for nap time and sleep in general. Literally when my youngest takes her nap I will lay right next to her and when I tell you that a good 30 min power nap does wonders, you just won't understand lol. 

We are officially in the thick of summer, so that means lots of hot days and loads of free time for the kids. If your kids are anything like mine, they are keeping you very busy and probably driving you crazy a bit. I had shared on my Instagram at the beginning of summer, how Simi was literally eating the house down mainly due to boredom so I had to quickly find some ways to keep her busy and help me stay sane this summer or completely lose it on her lol. Its funny as parents we all look forward to summer so we can get a little break from the school year schedule, but then Summer comes around and you realize you have to keep your kids busier now lol. Anyway here are some things working for me right now.

• Find activities to keep them busy, during the summer so many activities are available either at your local library, or summer day camps (and even away ones) or some type of sport activity. I recently signed Simi up for gymnastics so that is 50 minutes of time I get to rest a little bit from her chatter and she can burn off enough energy to be knocked out lol so everyone wins.
• Take your own summer breaks, if you are a working parent take your time coming back from work. Go to that office happy hour after work, or take the long route back home. Or if you are a stay at home parent, take the kids off to a baby sitter or someone to take some much needed mental break. Honestly its needed because before you know it the little things will be what sets you off and you are losing it due to being overwhelmed.

• Its summer give some slack room from the usual, example maybe usually they are only allowed an hour screen time give them two hours if it means you get a little break.
• Have a summer tag team, what I mean by that have a person that you get to share entertaining or picking the kids from activities or taking them to activities with. That could be your spouse, your partner, grandparents, a friend or anyone that is willing to help. By having this in place it helps take the burdens off your shoulder and you don't feel as overwhelmed. 
• Have as much fun as you can with them, because as much as they can be crazy and needy very soon summer will be over and you will be wishing you had spent more time with them or that you had done more family activities before the reality of fall and the school year begins again with all its calendar packed activities. 

Mommy guilt is very real and if you don't learn how to handle it, can very much be consumed by it. Having two little ones now it almost feels like I am not being enough for both girls and my husband and then myself. Its funny after I had Temi I was like thank God the girls are not so close in age, so I won't feel so guilty cause Simi can do most things for herself. But the reality is I have felt even more guilt for one Temi is extremely needing, I think the fact that I was home with her most of her first year so she literally is just attached, always wanting me to carry her and then there are just all those things she can't do for herself and needs me for. And then there is Simi who is older, and can do most things for herself but she is also at that age where she is becoming her own person and needs that guardian to keep her on the right track and the added bonus of her being able to talk and letting me know when I am being a crappy mommy doesn't help my guilt lol. Thankfully I am learning how to give both girls the love they deserve and do my best as a young mom.

• I am realizing that being away or having to give less of myself sometimes is just so I can be the best mom to them. Whether that be due to working outside of the home, or taking some much needed me time. I remember when I had to go back to work 3 months after having Simi, I felt so bad that I had to go drop my little baby at daycare, every single day just broke my heart but at the end of the day it was in her best interest I did it. 
• Understanding that Feeling guilt is OK, it just means I am human and have emotions that I react with, but most importantly just not letting those emotions consume me or get worse.
• Asking for help, especially with having two little ones now I want to make sure both girls feel loved and I don't also feel overwhelmed trying to juggle both and do for both, so asking for help with your spouse, family members or getting a nanny or sitter to come in and help so the load isn't so much.