Tag: parenting

Chronicles of a SAHM

Why Can’t We Be Friends?

Sonja Hollis

I was having the conversation at the studio the other day with some of the dance parents about how our kids love to hug each other.  Whenever they see each other, it’s like they haven’t seen each other in years.  They can’t stop hugging, holding hands and giggling but they’ve only known each other for a few months.  One parent told me that hugging isn’t even allowed at her daughter’s school – because touching others is not permitted.

It hit me and the other parents simultaneously.  Why can’t adults do the same thing?  Why can’t we just go up to people who look interesting and ask them to be our friends?  Our kids do it all the time and it works.  We have so many hang ups and prejudices and misconceptions about people we don’t even know. I’m sure we’ve missed out on so many possible friendships by being afraid of the unknown.  When did that end? IMG-7439

My daughter entered preschool two years ago and met the most amazing little girl.  They are “besties” to this day.  Although they now go to separate schools, they keep in touch by phone, Facetime, with play dates and Girl Scouts. The friendship is so pure and innocent. 

I was also blessed with a friend because by our daughters becoming so close, her mom and I have established an amazing friendship.  They’re part of our family. I don’t believe I would have met her otherwise, which is sad. However, I’m thankful to know her and her family. IMG-8087

So now, I plan to be more open to speaking with people in the airport, at the grocery store or at my daughter’s activities because I never know what type of interesting people I may be missing out on.  Now, my quest for you today is to go out and make a new friend. 

The world needs more love.

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Chronicles of a SAHM

I Need a Better Hiding Place

Sonja Hollis

Stay-at-Home-Moms (SAHMs) typically look forward to the end of the day, when every one and every thing is quiet. That’s when we go to our hiding place. My hiding place happens to be my bathroom. I can close the door and think, or dream, or beautify, or just sit quietly and meditate.

Recently however, my hiding place has become no longer that. It has been compromised. This is what has been happening lately:

As I’m sitting on my vanity chair, I hear from a distance, “Mommm.” It’s my five year old daughter. She should be sleep, but has decided that finding out my location is a top priority- as I had not received clearance from her to disappear. I know she’s coming, so I sit as still and stay as quiet as I can.

“Mommmm. Dad, where’s mom?” I listen for his response, because of course, he’s got my back – I am he, he is me. We are one. And of course, he knows it’s after her bedtime and he needs to direct her to go back to her room and go to bed. But no. He tells her my exact location. “She’s in the bathroom.”

Snitch.

So, now I hear footsteps coming closer to the door. “Mom, are you in there?”

No response from me…I’m hiding.

“Mom, are you in there?”

“Yes. What do you want?”

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing. What do you want?”

“Are you on the potty?”

“Sure. What do you want?”

“Did you have to boo boo?”

“WHAT DO YOU WANT?”

“Are you mad?”

Face palm. “Omg. What do you want? I’m in the bathroom. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Can you put on my band-aid?”

“SERIOUSLY? GO ASK YOUR DAD!”

Now, I’m rushing through the shower just so I can place my hands around my husband’s neck. He heard all of this, but didn’t rush to help me (or her for that matter). I love my kids with my entire heart, but I definitely need a new hiding place.

Chronicles of a SAHM, Thinking of Mom

My Roots

Sonja Hollis

I’ve had my mom on my mind for days. I miss her so much. She passed in January and it’s been so hard for me just realizing that she’s not here. I was so used to being able to call her just to say hello- knowing she would be there.

My friend wrote on her Facebook page the other day about how much she misses her grandparents and her parents. She said that although she has a strong group of support from family now, it’s not the same as having her roots. It’s what I had been trying to verbalize this whole time. I don’t have my roots. No grandparents, no parents – It’s just me. There’s no parachute, no Plan B. If I fail, then I fail and it’s just me – but when I succeed… well at least I can give them thanks. Thanks for raising me to be who I am. Thanks for giving me the love and guidance I needed when you were here, and thanks for introducing me to God.

God has been my rock. He has been my shoulder to cry on in the middle of the night when my support team is asleep. He’s always awake and He always listens.

He also let me know this morning that I now have to follow the examples of my parents and grandparents. I now have to become “the roots” for my children. I have to instill in them the goodness of the Lord. I have to establish in them, a foundation in Christ. If I didn’t have God in my life right now, I know that I wouldn’t make it. Life has dealt me some pretty hard blows, but I’m still standing…But God. I give Him the glory and the praise. He is the reason I woke up this morning.

So today will be my Day 1. I am going to embrace the lessons I have been taught by my “roots” and I am going to share them with my seedlings, so that they continue to develop and grow into the Light.

good morning.