Welcome!
The Inspiration
The Inspiration
So let's chat about why I created Motherhood is Messy and Fabulous Too. Well, the inspiration for the blog became so clear back in August 2011. Nothing illuminates your journey through motherhood quite like the day you drop your first born child off at college. After we shopped, organized, and packed all the necessities for college life the actual move in day arrived. When my husband and I stood on the curb and waved goodbye to our son on that hot August day it hit me, “my job is done.” I knew the time had passed to teach new lessons, instill values, and steer him in the right direction.
I then thought back to when my boys were 5 and 3 years old. I remember thinking that my purpose was to raise these boys with the best foundation possible, so that when they turned 18 and left our home they would be prepared to begin their journey on their own.
After your first child leaves the nest it is a time of great reflection. I thought about all of the fabulous memories and experiences, but I also thought about the messy stuff too. The combination of my son moving out, always counseling my girlfriends, and having a passion for writing is what sparked the inspiration for the blog.
The Mission
The way I see it we all have eighteen years to prepare our children for this thing called “life.” I feel very passionate about moms passing on the secrets of successful parenting to other parents for growing up great kids. I like to call it “hindsight” parenting. We have all heard the saying “Hindsight is 20/20.”
Hindsight is: The ability to understand, after something has happened, what should have been done.(Websters Dictionary)
I want to write about past and current experiences so that moms with younger children can think about what they can do now, while their children are still young, in order to have the results they want later. But remember it is never to late. Growing great kids doesn't happen over night it is a moment to moment process and it all happens between 0 to 18. I want to pass along insights, lessons, and tools that have helped my husband and I parent. I certainly don't have all the answers and sometimes I find you just have to go with your gut and hope for the best.
The Life
Okay, a little about myself and the family, I'm Cheryl. I have been married 21 years to the best example of what a man can be, and amazingly enough we're best friends and still love each other. He has been an educator for seventeen years and is currently a middle school principal, so we have been able to view parenting from many perspectives. Our awesome sons are 18 and 16 and the center of our world.
We reside in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona and if the temperature drops below 80 its time to break out the sweatshirts. We have two Papillions, Duke and Teddy, as well as our white Lab Callie, and our 22 year old kitty, Ginger.
We reside in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona and if the temperature drops below 80 its time to break out the sweatshirts. We have two Papillions, Duke and Teddy, as well as our white Lab Callie, and our 22 year old kitty, Ginger.
I graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in English Literature and my ambition was to teach high school English or be a counselor. Then my first son was born, and I realized my true calling was to be a stay at home mom. I have worked part time from home the last eleven years. I don’t do caffeine so I nap instead, I love chocolate, and I would prefer to wear sports bras and yoga pants everyday if it were possible, but most importantly I believe nothing is a substitute for hope and prayer.
The Blog
I have broken the blog up into “Trending Topics” and “The Conversation”
In "Trending Topics" you will find things from the news, culture, or current trends that relate to our children and affect their lives. Using these topics as a way to open up dialogue with your children is a great teaching tool and very effective in discussing difficult issues.
In “The Conversation” I want to hear from you. I will post questions that we can discuss. It’s a place for you to realize that you are not alone. Through our conversation you will find comfort, friends, and solutions.
On the Homepage you will find a variety of posts from my life that will hopefully give you insights, lessons, and tools that can assist you in your everyday journey through motherhood.
Motherhood is messy but so fabulous too so enjoy it all…it goes by really fast.
