B2S...A Parent's Working Holiday

Okay so this blog is dedicated 2 all the parents in the world.

There r 3 words every parent luvs 2 hear @ the beginning of Aug, @ least in most of the US. These 3 words hold a certain power that brings both stress & relief @ the same time. Brace urself bc they may give u tingles....BACK...2...SCHOOL!! :)

Whether it is the first time ur child has ever attended or a return adventure 4 u, back 2 school means learning, growing & the occupying of our children's attention. The start of each yr should b a special time. Now there r some parents 4 whom doing this is not possible due 2 their jobs, but 4 those who r able it is always memorable. From the having 2 let go 4 the first time 2 realizing that ur baby isn't such a baby anymore, these memories can never b replaced & can b uniquely different each yr.

Each grade level brings w/it new challenges as well as new experiences. The best advice I could give 2 any parent having a difficult time getting a child 2 let go is 2 try & make it as fun as possible. They need 2 kno that they will b safe & that there is fun in learning. Most times if a childs sees that u believe this they will 2. Reinforce that it is a gr8 time 2 spend w/friends as well as discover more about the world around them. Talk 2 them each day when they get home & find out what they r learning. This will make ur child feel like they have done something so important that it needs attention. It is a gr8 way 2 keep updated on what ur child is doing in school as well as open the lines of communication so that they feel welcome when they want 2 talk.

One thing I do is allow my daughter the ability 2 put her outfit 4 the next day 2gether, within limits LOL. My basic rule on dress code is that she is the 1 who has 2 walk around in it. Children should like what they r wearing. It gives them the opportunity 2 b creative as well as giving them a self-esteem boost. Now this does not mean I just let whatever go. I have final approval of the outfit but provided it isn't 2 out of control, it is she who needs 2 wear the clothes. I also take time out of the day 2 talk 2 her about her day. Sometimes she may not feel like talking but she always knows I am here & would luv 2 listen. Whether it is rite after school, just b4 bedtime or during ur morning routine, make time 2 talk w/ur child.

The most important advice I can give parents is 2 always find time 4 themselves. A moment 2 clear ur head, re-focus if u must. As much time as u can, whenever u can. This will help keep any parent sane.

Lastly, I wish u all a very memorable, successful school year & thank u 4 taking a few mins out of ur day 2 stop by! :)

Altering Without Changing

Every person reaches a point in their lives when they feel like they've stopped. Ur feet feel as though they r encased in cement rendering u unable 2 move. This can drive even the sanest person crazy. One can feel their life is over without realizing it hasn't completely begun. Some make choices & can end up feeling like those choices r what the rest of their lives will b. I was 22 years old when these feelings began growing inside of me. My daughter was an infant, my relationship was unhealthy & I was beginning 2 lose my reflection. After the postpartum depression began 2 ease up I was flooded with the feeling that where my life was at that moment was where it would b forever. One part of me felt complete with the new role I had taken on as a mommy. The other part of me felt lost in a cloud of uncertainty. Those who knew me, naturally only viewing from the outside, would have thought it impossible 4 me 2 get lost. I grew up with a very loving, close family. I was raised with the belief that a family sticks together no matter what & was always there for one another.

There is this stereotype of people who lose their way. It is widely assumed that they have always struggled bc of a lack of stability growing up & for many that is the case. Then there r ppl like me. Here I was having grown up with a wonderful family, food in my stomach almost always & a constant roof over my head. How could some1 like me not b able 2c their way? How could some1 like me allow things 2 pull me away from the place where I was safe? The answer is that is doesn't matter what could do that, it only matters that it is possible. I was lost & I had absolutely no memory of who I was. I remembered as a child having a strong sense of the kind of person I wanted 2b & yet I couldn't remember the point where I'd lost that. Being lost can make ur mind so cloudy that u make choices u would normally never make. U lack all the things necessary 2 preventing u from walking the wrong way....caring, motivation, will power, strength....just a few of what was missing. I was clear on 1 thing, I was the only 1 I trusted 2 raise my daughter & that kept me from jumping off the edge.

Once I was able 2 go 2 a place where it was possible 4 me 2 let go of what was poisoning me I began 2c things so differently. I knew something had 2 change. The core of who I was, who I am & who I will b is always there even when I can't see it. What I needed was not 2 change myself but instead alter my approach 2 things. See, u don't have 2 stop being the person u r 2 make a better life 4 urself. All u really have 2 do is make the choices that will respect who u r & reinforce the strength behind it instead of trying 2 break it down. B brave enough 2 alter the way u live without changing who u r!

May u wake up each day with a thankful heart, appreciate those around u who luv u & never take a single breath 4 granted! Until we meet again :)

People Just Being People

One of the complex things 2 learn about life is that people will always b who they are. We as individuals see things in our own way; w/our own eyes. Things can b viewed in similar ways but almost always the way we see things will differ from one person 2 the next. The thing about this is that it makes it difficult 2 see things from another person's point of view. It also makes accepting some1 4 who they are a challenge. As every person is different, every family is different. Each raising their offspring in different ways, w/different morals & values. Part of accepting people who r different is accepting that there is more than 1 way of seeing & doing things. Our genetic makeup & surroundings shape us & it is very easy 2 fall in2 the mindset that the way u c things is the only way. When finding it difficult 2 accept some1 4 who they r it is best 2 try 2 remember who u r & that the other person may feel the same reservations about u.
Everyday I am who I choose 2b. I make no apologies 4 that & do my best 2 gracefully accept all consequences that come w/making choices. I have been in many situations where I've felt misunderstood or ignored bc of having a different point of view. While I am still fairly young & have a lot of things left 2 learn about life, I enjoy different points of view. I value what has been instilled in me as well as others. Learning about a different way 2 look @ something is like learning about a new culture. There will b some similarities & some differences. The trick is 2 learn 2 appreciate what some1 different from u has 2 teach u. At the heart of it all u will find that the core of a person is usually the same. What they believe, what they feel & who they r IS the same, just in another language. Become fluent in more than just ur own 4 u will never fail 2b surprised!
How would u read the following sentence? What meaning do u gather from it? Discuss this w/some1 close 2 u. Their response may just make u think!
A peculiar witch dashes into the outlook.

Life - A Gr8 Blessing!

There r so many things about life that should b enjoyed & yet every day we miss out on so much. The last thing any1 wants but many ppl end up w/is regrets. I feel lucky bc I believe I am young enough 2 learn early & have the time 2 do something better....differently. My main goal each & every day in my life is 2 do things in my own way. I walk forward knowing that tho some/many may only see what is b4 them, there is much more going on inside of me. It is inside of me bc I am the only 1 who can control what path I walk down. That is how life is meant 2b. Tho it is comforting 2 have ppl around u it is only u that make the choices 4 ur life. U r the 1 who will b expected 2 explain each choice. Even in the stress, pain & struggle there is happiness 2b cherished. Seek out that happiness & let the rest continue however it does. Learn 2 adapt 2 the changes of life.

I am also a believer of signs. I think there r msgs all around us in many different ways. The unfortunate part of life is that not every1 is receiving of the signs given 2 them. Tho I must admit that I often miss important ones, when I do see 1 I luv the knowledge that comes w/them. It is extremely easy 2 overlook them when u r 2 busy running thru life. Life is a walk, a journey. It is long, exhausting & requires everything inside of u. U can get lost very easily trying 2 shortcut ur way thru the uphill battles. What u may not see is that @ the top of that hill lies something that will make the trek worth it. While walking u feel like giving in, quiting....if u allow it, doubt can steer u the wrong way. Walking w/ur head held high keeping ur mind focused on getting 2 the top will allow u 2c the beauty in the discovery of what that path holds.

The most important thing 2 always remember is that everything u go thru, everything u learn & everything u experience has the ability 2 make u the best version of urself. The ups, the downs & the tears brought 2 ur life just as much as the smiles, the laughs & the joy. When u reach that point in the day where u think, "UGH! I don't kno how much more I can take!!", take a few deep breaths & look @ ur plate. Re-arange the load & remember that u already have the strength u will need, u just have 2 tap in2 it. Raise ur head & keep pressing forward bc it's inevitable that as long as u keep moving, u WILL get there.

1 Day @ A Time

One thing most people learn very early on is that time always continues. It doesn't stop 4 any1 or anything. Seconds R guaranteed 2 go by. Minutes R guaranteed 2 go by. Hours & even days, months & years. What u also learn is that all YOU can do is live time 1 moment, 1 day @ a time. No amount of time is guaranteed 2 any1 but during our time alive we can only move 1 day @ a time. It is always good 2 plan but leave room 4 life's unexpected moments. Focus on what u can do 2day & enjoy life. As the saying goes, 'God only gives us what we can handle', but what no1 tells us is that it is up 2 us how we fit it all on that plate we carry. By just piling everything on the plate will seem heavier than could b if we take the time 2 work it all in slowly. Take Ur time & soak up everything avail 4 all of us 2 learn about life. Learn how 2 use it 2 Ur advantage. Make the most of what u have. Find the beauty in the little things BC 2gether they're everything!! My hope 4 every1 is that they appreciate memories no matter how small they may seem & make the most out of Ur day =)

Day 1 ~ Welcome!!

Welcome 2 my page! :)

I'd like 2 start by telling u a bit about myself. I'm a 27yr old Puerto Rican American. I say it that way bc I am proud of being a wonderful combination of both. I am also a single mother of a BEAUTIFUL & very unique 6yr old who hasn't stopped making me smile since I saw her in my first ultra-sound pic.

In my short 27yrs of life I have been thru many things that have helped me become who I am 2day. While I am not where I thought I'd b @ my age I am blessed 2 have all that I do & look forward 2 where I have yet 2 go.

I just moved back 2 my home state which has been both a gr8 thing & stressful thing all the same. I will b returning 2 college 2 complete my degree in Accounting. I am currently residing w/my amazing mother which is not ideal but will work 4 now. I look forward 2 the ppl I meet here & hope that each of u who takes time out of ur life 2 read these blogs will find something u enjoy.

Thank u 4 stopping by, please come by again soon & feel free 2 leave comments :)
Blessings 2 U All & Ur Families!! :)
~Eisa