Blog - Page 14 of 183 - Moments of Musing

Earth Day Baby Virtual Birthday Party

Filed Under: 2nd birthday, birthday, birthday party, earth day, earth day party // May 28, 2020

2nd birthday, birthday party, earth day, earth day party, birthday, zoom birthday, virtual birthday, second birthday, earth day birthday, pandemic, coronavirus, mom blogger, latina mom, new york family, new york mom, long island mom, long island family

Since R was born on Earth Day, we thought this year it would be fitting to make it his birthday “party” theme. Due to the pandemic, we threw him an intimate family-only celebration at home. He was spoiled with love by me, my husband and his big brother. During cake time, we had a Zoom call with family from all across the country (New York, Texas, and Michigan).

Almost everything was homemade:

“TWO” banner
Globe puff decor balls
Balloon paint (it was a gold foil balloon)
Globe cake
Tie-dye t-shirts (dyed with food coloring)

I seriously had so much fun putting everything together, and you couldn’t tell the day was not a “normal” birthday celebration. We were going to forgo birthday parties this year and take the boys on little weekend getaways. instead, so this worked out. We will have to wait for the trips but for now, we are just enjoying our time together at home.

Is He Too Attached?

Filed Under: motherhood // May 28, 2020

mother son, mother baby, baby hand, mom blog, latina mom, new york mom, secure attachment, motherhood, postpartum, motherhood journey, mom life

“Is he too attached?,” I wonder as he cries for me and only me, yet again, as I try to get ready. ⁣
⁣
“Is he too attached?,” I wonder as he pulls me to him to cuddle while he falls asleep. ⁣
⁣
“Is he too attached?,” I wonder as he asks me to carry him once more. ⁣
⁣
Then I remember:⁣
⁣
My body was his home. ⁣
⁣
It grew him. ⁣
Nourished him. ⁣
Birthed him. ⁣
⁣
Cuddles him. ⁣
Holds him. ⁣
Comforts and consoles him. ⁣
⁣
It’s his home. ⁣
⁣
I am his safe place.⁣
I’m his mama. ⁣
He’s my baby. ⁣
⁣
He’s not 𝘵𝘰𝘰 attached. ⁣
He’s attached. ⁣
And rightfully so.

Business Tips for Writers, Influencers & Creators During COVID-19

Filed Under: career, working mom // May 26, 2020

mom blog, mom writer, latina mom, latina writer, latina blog, new york mom, motherrhod, influencer, writer, covid, coronavirus, freelance writer, content creator

This year was going to be the year ⁣⁣⁣of expanding my brand⁣⁣⁣, of traveling to Europe⁣⁣⁣, of paying off debt⁣⁣⁣, and of launching a new business⁣⁣. But then COVID-19 arrived in the Unites States, and all of my goals were halted.

As a blogger, writer and digital creator in the New York City area, which is the hardest hit area in the U.S., I have had projects paused or canceled, resulting in income loss. Back in late March and early April, I was really nervous and anxious as I realized my income would not be what it was just a month ago.

I decided to shift my focus from my goals and look at the bigger picture, the important things such as my and my family’s safety and wellbeing. Eventually, I did start getting more projects, and I am now hopeful our family’s lifestyle will not be as affected as I feared. I know that is not the case for everyone, though, and my hearts go out to those individuals and their families.

I am sharing tips on how other writers, influencers, and creators can continue doing business and staying afloat, mentally and financially, during a time of crisis, such as this COVID-19 pandemic.

Continue applying to campaigns and reaching out to business partners and clients

Though it might seem like work is unavailable, apply to the campaigns that are currently open. Also, it can help to reach out to clients/brands and agencies you have worked with before or with which you had projects lined up. For example, you can email asking for an update on a project or ask that they keep you in mind for upcoming opportunities. By doing so, you can find out about existing work or projects; what the current business situation is for your clients and agencies; and maintain a business relationship.

Continue pitching stories

While other work might have decreased, there are still many stories to be told, perhaps even more now than ever due to the crisis. It could be helpful to continue pitching stories to editors; and to email editors to find out about any current writing assignments. It could be helpful to pitch both crisis-related and everyday lifestyle stories to increase your chances of your pitch being accepted. This will help you continue a relationship with editors you currently work with or want to work with in the future.

Share your story

Regardless of whether any of your pitches are accepted, consider sharing your own personal story and how your life and/or business has been impacted by the current events. Post to social media and/or a blog. Your story might resonate with others. This could allow you to reach new and existing customers and clients, as well as to expand your audience and your business. Writing can also be therapeutic, and could also help you cope with your situation.

Relax with a stress-relieving activity

It is likely you are very stressed due to losing business and income. It is important to take care of your mental wellbeing to stay healthy, and to be able to get back to business when you are able. To help you remain calm during the stressful times, consider adopting a stress-relieving activity i.e. meditation, yoga, or exercise.

Think positively

Tough times do not last, and this will pass. It is important to remind yourself that this situation is temporary, and that things will get better. A positive mindset can help relieve tension and stress, as well as help you think more clearly.

I am thinking of everyone who has been impacted by sickness, death of loved ones, or financial loss during this time. We will get through this.

Pandemic Postpartum & Post-Breastfeeding Body Image

Filed Under: body image, motherhood, postpartum body // May 18, 2020

body image, motherhood, postpartum body, fabletics, mom blogger, long island mom, latina mom, mom writer, mom blog, boy mom, strong mom, mom body, breastfeeding, weaning, pandemic body, body image issues

⁣When I received this outfit that I was so excited about, I immediately got a little bummed out thinking I wouldn’t fit into the bottoms. Like many girls and women, I’ve nitpicked my body nearly my whole life.⁣⁣
⁣
Too short. ⁣⁣
Too straight. ⁣⁣
Too this.⁣⁣
Too that. ⁣⁣
Too wide. ⁣⁣
Too curvy. ⁣⁣
Too chubby.⁣⁣
Too fat. ⁣⁣
⁣
But really, what I’ve been all along is just 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
While I am not newly postpartum, I am 24 months postpartum, and 6 months post-breastfeeding. Then, the pandemic happened and I’ve gained weight, and felt down about it.

Recently, however, I decided to shift my energy to focus on the MORE important

ways I am growing:

As a mom

As a wife

As a creator

As a writer

I have also grown more grateful, more hopeful, and more optimistic — despite the anxiety I’ve felt over all of the unknown.

THIS is the growth that I will measure this time by. This is the growth that matters to me.

So, no more tearing myself down. No more negative self talk. I am beautiful the way I am, my body has done so much good for me. And if/when I choose to work out and get fit, it won’t be because I don’t like or I hate my body …but rather because I LOVE it. ⁣⁣

A Different, More Meaningful Mother’s Day (Mommy & Me Photos)

Filed Under: mother's day, motherhood // May 5, 2020

𝘔𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦. Yes, I am hopeful we will be a better world because of this.

I am also scared. I am frustrated. I am anxious. I am nervous. I am stressed. Aside from S knowing there are “germs” keeping us home, the boys don’t really realize what’s happening (thankfully). So, they sometimes tantrum and fight, as usual… adding to our stress about the current events, and causing me to wish under my breath that they’d give us a break during this time.⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘈 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘈𝘯 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨. The stress from their tantrums and fights is almost a welcomed stress—it brings me back to 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭. And everyday I realize, now more than ever, that what is most important is them, their health and their wellbeing.

The outside world may be full of uncertainty but of this I am certain: 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝.⁣⁣⁣⁣

If they’re okay, I’m okay. ⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝘈𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺, 𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘮 𝘐.