Today is a day of reflection. Three years ago, two friends started with a dream as we joined City Moms Blog Network with a handful of other sites (and now have over 60+!) Oklahoma City Moms Blog has now grown from a duo to twenty nine, with over 1,000 blog posts, dozens of guides and several events where we have tried to connect with the mamas of OKC. We have all laughed and cried, both until it hurt, while we put ourselves in each others shoes and followed along as our evolving team of contributors unfolded their hearts. So much has happened since our beginning in 2013, but I am proud of where we started and even more proud of where we are today. We are a team of moms who want to share our hearts, to connect and uplift during this phase of life that is so hard. So join with me today as we travel down memory lane at our Top 10 blog posts from launch until today!
10. The Day My Daughter and I Were Followed
We got to the van and I opened her sliding door, noticing my husband had dozed off in the front seat. I was buckling her in, trying to be quiet since my son was also asleep, when the hairs on my neck stood up and I turned around. The man was a short median’s length away from me, with blue eyes and holding a brown paper bag. I didn’t know what to say since I could tell he wasn’t casually passing, so I looked right into his eyes and said, “Hi. Can I help you?”
9. Car Seat Safety: I’m Not Judging You
But lately, I’ve been hearing moms talking about being judged for the way they use their car seats, and it just really grinds my gears. Car seat safety is not a parenting choice. Being lovingly corrected by another mom does not equate to being judged. It’s not up for debate because it’s not a matter of opinion. It’s a matter of safety.
8. 10 Things A Family Dealing with Childhood Cancer Needs
Life came crashing down and we needed the support and strength from others to get through day after day. It’s beyond tough and exhausting. People don’t know what to say. And that’s okay – send them a daily encouraging text, follow their Facebook status updates and give an encouraging word, go up to the hospital/to their house to visit, simply be present.
7. I’m a Stay at Home Mom, but We Aren’t Rich
I usually just smile and nod because I’m talking to a stranger who doesn’t need to know my whole life story, and the truth is, it IS nice to get to stay home with my kids. It IS a privilege to have this time with them, and I think that’s what they meant to say. Because one thing that’s really not so nice is living on one income. You see, I’m a stay at home mom, but we aren’t rich.
6. The Best Places for Indoor Fun in OKC
Staying at home can leave us all a little stir crazy, so we are always looking for fun places to explore that
save our sanityget us out of the house.
5. Where Kids Eat Free {Or Almost Free} in OKC
4. Helping Military Spouses {Because They Aren’t Going to Ask}
Our other half is gone. Our soulmate. I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but it’s true. There’s a huge hole in our life and we don’t know how to fill it and it is a much bigger issue than taking out the trash, cleaning out the attic, or finding childcare. We go into survival mode and take care of it all by ourselves, and we are in general okay with that. But we are lonely.
3. Direct Sales Are Ruining My Friendships
The other day, I saw that I had a message in my inbox from a friend that I haven’t talked to in many years. I was excited to hear from her because I love reconnecting with old friends. When I clicked on the message I was disappointed when it said something like, “Heeeey Girl! Your kids are so cute, and your life is dreamy and adorable. But you know what would make your life better? My latest blah blah blah blah blah.”
Wait. We haven’t talked in years and now you’re trying to sell me crap?
2. No It Wasn’t Messy and 6 Other Home Birth Truths
We didn’t choose home birth to be trendy.
I’m not trying to be like such-and-such celebrity. I’m not trying to have the birth of my dreams. I’m not “putting my child’s life in danger to follow a movement”. Unfortunately, I have been on the receiving end of several unfounded comments like these. I have had both hospital and home births and I can say without a doubt that in my case, my home birth was a much safer experience for everyone involved.
1. 10 Ways to Avoid Being Judged in Mommy Groups
Never post a picture of your kid in a car seat. You may think Suzy looks adorable lounging in her car seat in her sunglasses, but is that a puffy shirt? Could that count as a coat? Is that strap pinchable? Is the clip a millimeter below her armpit? Is that car seat in the middle seat of the car? What kind of mother are you?
Was there a blog post that really resonated with you in the last 3 years? We would love to know which one it was! Let us know in the comments!
