Motherhood Archives - chicmadame

Preschooler’s Chores Chart

So my daughter Jaleeah and I did a thing….

I was starting to sound like a broken record every day and it seemed like she conveniently kept forgetting her routine. So, since I have been working on myself to stop yelling so much, (yes, I’m a yeller, don’t judge me), something had to give.

Quarantine came and shook our lives, school, dance class, vocal class, church is all happening at home, no days off. Many times I find myself in a state of confusion and I ask my husband if these children are really ours, (or can we give them back)? Okay it’s a joke… I think.

As Pre-Kindergarten teacher, I rely on methods, routines and pedagogics, but I have to admit that as parent, my degrees and my trainings go out the window, so I had to sit back, breathe and come up with a plan.

My daughter and I sat down and we created a personalized Chores Chart just for her! I had her help me cut and glue pieces, and we talked about what each section means. Basically throughout the day, as she completes each activity, she closes the tab. Cute right?

It gives her a sense of accomplishment, she feels like she is in control and I throw in cool prizes like non-toxic nail polish for a job well done.

She is five, if school is still a factor in September she will be in Kindergarten, so as much as I make sure she enjoys her summer, she still needs a routine. The “all day screen time” is not working for us, but without a plan, it is the easiest consolation prize.

So to make your own you’ll need:

A manila folder
Cute decorative tapes
Markers
Adhesive magnets
Glue
Scissors
A couple printouts

Instructions

I cut half of one side of the manila folder to create the tabs, then I cut the half into thirteen tabs. On each tab I write the task that needs to be completed and since sis is still learning how to read, on the inside of the tab, I glued pictures (with her likeness) of the actual task. I printed out a label designed on Canva with her name and her picture and I glued it on the uncovered half. And where the tabs end, I added little pieces of adhesive magnets so she can close the tabs when the task is done. The decorative tapes are to make it pretty, so add as many or as little as you like. Et voila!

It is a fun and easy project, and you can change the tasks to whatever works for you and your little ones but is it a creative way to give the kiddos power while you are still in control.

I hope that gives you an extra 30 minutes to listen to a podcast while you slow sip your tea.

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Categories: Blog, Lifestyle, Motherhood

Simple and Easy Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Fathers’ day is in one short week so there is no more time to waste, if you have not gotten a gift yet, I have some easy and simple ideas that you can work on this week to put a smile on the faces of the daddies in your life. People are different, so regardless of your budget, it is very important that the gift is curated and personalized to the person’s liking.

Candy Gram

This is a fun idea for someone with a sweet tooth, you basically choose a few candy bars and incorporate them in a cute father’s day message. I did one a couple of years ago and my husband loved it. There are plenty of ideas on Pinterest, you can change up the message, get your candies and have fun. If your kids are old enough to keep a secret, it is a great activity to include them in, have them do it with you, and they can personally deliver it to their daddy.

Superhero Frames

This one is for the Marvel dads. It is so easy, even your two year old can probable make it. All you need is a shadow box frame and small superhero figurines. You can print fun messages like “you are stronger than the Hulk” and “You are smarter than Ironman” and you glue the figurine next to the appropriate message. Super cute, super easy to make.

Curated gift basket

This one can be whatever you want it to be. Go with the dad’s hobby or favorite snacks to give you an idea. You can put jerky, candy bars, liquor, grooming products. If the person is on a special diet, or has recently become vegan, there are plenty of stuff that you can add to the basket that will be so special. I don’t know how open your outside is right now, but if you can get to a store like Marshall’s, you can easily fill up a gift basket.

Cologne

I don’t know about you but the right scent on a man can literally turn your head. Father’s day season is the perfect time to buy colognes because stores like Macy’s always have the gift sets at a very good price. You can order to pick up if you do not feel comfortable browsing at your local department store, or if they can guarantee you fast shipping, you may still have time to place an order.

Tile Key Finder

These things are life savers! My husband loses his keys at least five times a day and at this point I’m over it. My house is a constant search party for his keys and wallet. Tiles have saved us so much time because all you have to do is ring it through the app on your phone and follow the noise. They even have a slim tile you can put in your wallet if you ever misplace it and some sticker tiles as well that you can stick on just about anything. Now you can put your feet up and sip on a refreshing beverage instead of spending your afternoon searching for keys and wallets.

My husband is a surf and turf kinda guy so I know whatever gifts he gets will never be complete without his favorite plates, so we plan to spend the day in each other’s company, the kids will have some sweet surprises for him and we will send him into a food coma. I hope you make this father’s day very special, and let the fathers in your life know that they are loved, they are needed and they appreciated.

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Categories: Blog, Lifestyle, Motherhood

Let us Pray

I have had many bad thoughts. I’ve felt grief, anger, disappointment and resentment. I have judged my neighbors based on my pain. I’ve felt resentment because they will never know what it feels like. I have buried little bits and pieces of pain, hurt, depression, oppression and racism in my subconscious and they all fell on fertile soil. Most days I am able to go on like I do not have this pandemic blooming inside of me, but when something so tragic happens, they all come rushing back.

But today, I choose to pray. Not because my heart is at peace but because I choose to align myself with the one who can give me peace. I pray the same prayer over each of you, may the Lord keep you in perfect peace.

Let us pray.

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Categories: Blog, Lifestyle, Motherhood

Out with the old, in with the new!

Time to start pruning

In so many ways we are like plants, we can bloom and we can die, but more importantly, both humans and plants require care and maintenance to grow.

One of the methods used to encourage healthy plant growth is Pruning. Pruning is strategically removing unnecessary parts of a plant or tree to encourage and attract healthy growth energy. Essentially, pruning in a timely manner is a necessary preparation for growth.

Pruning is a method that can also be applied to everyday life because there are things and people in our lives that not only do they not serve us, but they create a hindrance on our growth. Things come and go, people come and go, seasons come and go, and that’s part of life. The magical secret is to know how to effectively utilize your current season.

Because of the current pandemic, (COVID19) more people are at home and they are using the time to cleanse their house in everything in it, and that is amazing! But when we come out of this pandemic, we do not have to go back to the things that hold us back. if it does not serve us, it needs to go. We need to start pruning, here are a few ways we can start:

Decrease and remove bad eating habits. We do not have to be vegan to be healthy, although if you are vegan, your body will thank you. Control your portions and swap out the junk. Changing your whole eating habit may be overwhelming at first, but if you cut out one or two things that can ultimately hurt your body (Soda, Sweets, Chips, etc.) and add a couple things that will serve you well (More greens, more whole wheat etc.), it may be an easier transition.
Improve bad spending habits. I am entirely talking to myself here! I had to work on that area of my life and I asked my husband to hold me accountable on my spending. It was getting bad. We have been taught in this season we are in, how uncertain times can be, so it is imperative to learn how to make sane financial decisions. I start asking myself a few questions when buying non-essential items now, like: Do I need it? Will I use it before it goes on sale? Do I have something similar? Little by little I started abandoning a few carts. Aside from that, I do my best to support small businesses when I do make purchases so in the process of sanely spending, I am helping a small business owner.
Cut out negative people. If you have people in your life that always try to put you down and downplay your dreams and passions, they do not need to be in your life. There is nothing wrong with a little tough love and constructive criticism, because these things point out the bad in you while helping you better yourself. But the so-called-friends that always think your ideas are too crazy, or belittle you any chance they get, need to get cut, and you can be politely honest about why the friendship has run its course. Maybe they can use that as an opportunity to work on themselves.
Let go of unreliable relationships. That on again, off again situationship you’re in needs to stay OFF. Aim to be in a relationship that is quarantine proof. You have to ask yourself, if you have to be stuck with that person for any reason, can you rely on them. The truth is, every time you unplug and plug back into these relationships, you are burning meaningful energy that could be spent on something or someone better. If this is your season to be single, enjoy it, be better in it and make the best of it.
Practice better Self-Care. That may mean something different to different people, I encourage you to figure it out for yourself and give it a try. Whether it is meditation, prayer, better skincare routine or a physical checkup, we all have room for improvement. Do not overwhelm yourself, do not compare yourself, start with one thing and do your best.

I’ve never had a green thumb but I love to admire beautiful gardens and flower assortments. I feel like it is a spiritual experience to be able to spend a little time in nature, taking in how colorful and intentional everything around you can be, while listening to the sound of birds or waterfalls, but it is even a greater spiritual experience to feel that grace, energy and growth within. Start pruning so you can start growing.

Stay highly meditated.

Self-control is Strength;

Right Though is Mastery;

Calmness is Power;

Peace, be still;

-James Allen

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Categories: Beauty, Blog, Lifestyle, Motherhood

Five Easy Ways to Practice Self-Care

Ask for help

There is nothing wrong with asking for help, it takes a village to live life, identify your village and use it. We were made to live in communities, no one is an island, but in the spirit of guarding our hearts and spirits, we also need to be mindful of who we allow to be in our space. Not to say that you are better than anyone but if it is not adding to your growth, cut it off.

Set Boundaries
We all have boundaries but sometimes we get caught up in playing nice, and push them too far. It is okay to say no to the things that do not work for us. If it is not helping you grow or giving you joy, kindly decline and keep it moving. I cannot stress enough how important it is to guard your heart at all price, cultivate joy and maintain your peace. You’ll be a better person for it.

Forgive yourself
It is good to remember our mistakes so we do not repeat them but we also have to let them go in order to grow and glow. We are not perfect and that is not a new narrative, we are going to make mistakes, I only hope that we do not continue on paths that we know are destructive and we learn from the past. Say it out loud: I forgive myself. Mean it, breathe and make better choices. Forgiving yourself is one of the best self-care act you can do.

Read
It is said that our eyes are windows to our souls so the things that we allow our eyes to see is going to set the atmosphere. That being said, read something motivational, read something you can learn from. Keep a book at your bed side and aim for at least a chapter before bed. Social media is great, but it does not have to be the last thing we see before going to bed. We can control our mood and emotion by feeding our brain (and body) positivity.

Pray
Pray an active prayer. Work your faith. It’s no use for you to be praying without believing and working towards your miracles. As you pray, you have to prepare yourself for the answer. You have to believe that you deserve what you’re praying for. Make it a habit, a lifestyle and be positive that it will shift your life in the right direction.

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Categories: Beauty, Blog, Lifestyle, Motherhood

Is the use of Sage really an unholy ritual?

People have been using sage for centuries for many reasons but in some circles, they manage to give it a non-biblical connotation which makes certain people and by certain people I mean the saints, feel guilty about using it.

Many people believe in demons but they do not want to wake them or get involved with them, which makes sense because why would you? Being born and raised in Haiti, I know my fair share of my heritage and the role that Voodoo plays in it, so growing up in the church, it seemed safe to stay away from anything that may look like it has an association with Voodoo.

From a traditional standpoint, the idea of burning sage has been for the purpose of keeping demons at bay, creating safe energy, and cleansing yourself and your home. This practice has been used by Native Americans and many other tribes, now different people use the same practice as a spiritual ritual. I do believe that it takes more aggressive measures to keep demons at bay but that does not take away from all the health benefits you can reap by using this amazing herb! Let’s go over a few, shall we?

Burning sage releases an aroma therapeutic scent that’s known to relieve stress, improve sleep quality and uplift one’s mood. That alone can make me feel like I killed some demons! When I get good sleep, I wake up ready to conquer the world, and if there are any herbs that I can use to help with that, I believe it’s the safer choice for me.

Sage is also known to have anti-microbial properties, which is a huge health benefit. It is like spraying Lysol in your home, but a much safer one. It can help with pollution and mold so smudging sage does clear the air, but it might not be attacking the types of demons you think it’s attacking.

Sage is also full of antioxidants and it is an easy herb to add to your daily diet. It has been traditionally used to regulate blood sugar levels and enhance memory. You can blend it in your seasoning mix if you use a wet seasoning mix, use it as a rub, or put some leaves in your soup and stew.

Maybe the idea of smudging sage makes you feel ancient and archaic, that’s okay, because there are all types of other options for you. You can buy sage candles or essential oils for your diffuser that let you inhale the same goodness. I bet the saints wouldn’t mind you using a sage essential oil in your diffuser because the modernity of that cancels any possibility of that being a demonic ritual, right?

There might be groups of people that use sage as part of a spiritual ritual, but they are also using many other things like honey, lavender, and mint, rosemary and so on which are everyday things that we use. We don’t automatically get spiritual powers from using herbs, because we are not using them in that way, but we can always reap the health benefits from using natural remedies.

The bottom line is, sage is amazing! Like many other herbs, it has healing powers that all of us can benefit from. You may not like it because to each their own, but I hope the reason you’re not using it is not because you’re scared of getting involved in some spirit mess. Let me say, it would take more than sage to ward off evil spirits, I do believe they exist and if you feel attacked by them, GET RIGHT WITH GOD! BUT if the demons you’re fighting are Stress, Sleep Depravity, Bacteria in your home, just to name a few, then go right ahead and SAGE UP THE JOINT!

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Time to start pruning

Keep on glowing