Mom Treading Water (The Imperfect Mom)

Adopting a child is a life-changing experience that brings joy and fulfillment to many families. However, it is also a complex process that can be filled with stress and uncertainty. As someone who has gone through the journey of adoption twice, I understand the challenges and emotions that come with it.

That's why I believe it is essential to share some insider tips to help make the adoption journey smoother and more successful. These tips are often overlooked or not commonly discussed, but they can significantly impact your overall experience.

By following these tips, you can reduce the stress and anxiety that often accompanies the adoption process. You can be better prepared for the challenges that may arise and feel more confident in your ability to navigate them. Ultimately, these tips can help you unlock the full potential of your adoption journey and make it a positive and enriching experience for you and your family.

Thank you for listening to Mom Treading Water.  

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Getting to Know You: The Family Journal and Game to learn more about your family and record the fun memories. Now available on Amazon

Check out our Strong as a Mother merch and much more at https://mom-treading-water.square.site/ 

Check out the mom self-love journal on Amazon. When moms take those few minutes each day to practice self-love, it allows us to love others at our best.   

A Day In The Life Of A Stay-At-Home Mom journal provides 2 pages daily. Completing the reverse to-do list is the perfect reminder of your daily accomplishments. Most importantly, it will reflect the unmeasurable value you bring to your family.

Thank you for supporting the growth of Mom Treading Water!

**TRIGGER WARNING** Depression, Anxiety, Child Sexual Abuse

For moms struggling with mental health, please know you are not alone. Like many, I have battled my mental health even before motherhood

My whole life, I have always felt inadequate, unworthy, and full of self-loathing. Like many, my existence focused on being a people pleaser without regard for my mental health. The worst part is that others accepted this because it met the expected standard. Unfortunately, I was the perfect target for a predator, and every fear about speaking up about my abuse came true. The responses were more traumatic than the actual abuse.

However, therapy, along with meds, have been instrumental in helping me heal. 

I found a safe space with therapy and slowly worked through surviving sexual abuse and the trauma of being shamed.

Through therapy, I am learning more about myself and doing the work to become stronger and happier. 

With the unwavering love and encouragement of my spouse, I am learning to love and care for myself and also be at my best as a mother. Hopefully, my journey towards better mental health has inspired me to have a positive impact on those around me.

Thank you for listening to Mom Treading Water.  

Please rate, review, subscribe, and share Mom Treading Water. Thank you!

Follow Mom Treading Water:

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MomTreadingWater   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QJgpKp6z0U&t=51s

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@momtreadingwater 

Instagram: @imperfectmomtreadingwater 

Pinterest: https://pin.it/cNQYnJo 

Getting to Know You: The Family Journal and Game to learn more about your family and record the fun memories. Now available on Amazon

Check out our Strong as a Mother merch and much more at https://mom-treading-water.square.site/ 

Check out the mom self-love journal on Amazon. When moms take those few minutes each day to practice self-love, it allows us to love others at our best.   

A Day In The Life Of A Stay-At-Home Mom journal provides 2 pages daily. Completing the reverse to-do list is the perfect reminder of your daily accomplishments. Most importantly, it will reflect the unmeasurable value you bring to your family.

Thank you for supporting the growth of Mom Treading Water!

Before motherhood, my life always included anxiety. It was all I knew because it was how I lived.   "What if..." was one of the most common phrases in my vocabulary.   Risks and dreams were squashed by the "what if...". 
Parental anxiety is a well-known worry that moms often feel. Even before becoming a mother, anxiety was constantly present in my life. It was a familiar feeling I had grown accustomed to, and I always thought, "What if...". This phrase seemed to be one of my vocabulary's most commonly used expressions. Whenever I considered taking a risk or pursuing my dreams, negative thoughts, and worries would creep in, and I would become paralyzed by the "what if" mentality.

However, after becoming a mother, I realized I needed to relearn how to take risks and face challenges. I wanted to be able to teach my children to do the same, but I knew that I could not do this if I continued to be held back by my fears and anxieties. I made a conscious effort to focus on positivity and gradually started to remove the negative thoughts holding me back.

Of course, it hasn't been easy. Overcoming anxiety is a bumpy journey that takes a lot of effort and commitment. But I know that it is worth it. I don't want my children to grow up in a world where "what if" dominates their thinking and limits their potential. Instead, I want to teach them to be confident, brave, and resilient in facing challenges.

Thank you for listening to Mom Treading Water.  

Please rate, review, subscribe, and share Mom Treading Water.  Thank you!

Follow Mom Treading Water:

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MomTreadingWater   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QJgpKp6z0U&t=51s

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@momtreadingwater 

Instagram: @imperfectmomtreadingwater 

Pinterest: https://pin.it/cNQYnJo 

Getting to Know You: The Family Journal and Game to learn more about your family and record the fun memories.  Now available on Amazon

Check out our Strong as a Mother merch and much more at https://mom-treading-water.square.site/ 

Check outthe mom self-love journal on Amazon.   When moms take those few minutes each day to practice self-love, it allows us to love others at our best.   

A Day In The Life Of A Stay-At-Home Mom journal provides 2 pages daily.  Completing the reverse to-do list is the perfect reminder of your daily accomplishments. Most importantly, it will reflect the unmeasurable value you bring to your family.

Our website is https://www.momtreadingwater.com 

Thank you for supporting the growth of Mom Treading Water!

Momma, have you ever felt inadequate, unworthy,  and paralyzed by self-hatred?  

My life has been centered around pleasing others without regard for my needs.   

Constantly, I felt like I was taking space that I did not have a right or deserve to do.  

To say I felt like a possession or a hindrance is an understatement.  

Only with a few months of therapy my self-hatred is slowly changing.   Realizing that I genuinely do not know myself feels like a rebirth.  The self-hatred is evolving into self-love.   

If you have similar feelings, please know you are not alone.  Help is available. 

 Thank you for listening to Mom Treading Water.  

Please rate, review, subscribe, and share Mom Treading Water.  Thank you!

Follow Mom Treading Water:

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MomTreadingWater   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QJgpKp6z0U&t=51s

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@momtreadingwater 

Instagram: @imperfectmomtreadingwater 

Pinterest: https://pin.it/cNQYnJo 

Getting to Know You: The Family Journal and Game to learn more about your family and record the fun memories.  Now available on Amazon

Check out our Strong as a Mother merch and much more at https://mom-treading-water.square.site/ 

Check out the mom self-love journal on Amazon.   When moms take those few minutes each day to practice self-love, it allows us to love others at our best.   

A Day In The Life Of A Stay-At-Home Mom journal provides 2 pages daily.  Completing the reverse to-do list is the perfect reminder of your daily accomplishments. Most importantly, it will reflect the unmeasurable value you bring to your family.

Thank you for supporting the growth of Mom Treading Water!

 *Please note that I may earn a small commission on affiliate links at no extra cost.  Thank you for supporting the success of Mom Treading Water.   

Boundaries - Momma, Do You Struggle In Setting Healthy Boundaries With Your Child?  You are not alone.

Going to therapy has been full of discoveries.  I have realized that I struggle to set healthy boundaries with my children.  

As a trained people pleaser,  the guilt of setting boundaries has been engrained.   The other realization is that my husband and I need to allow our children to set healthy boundaries with us so they learn how to set boundaries.    

Not setting boundaries is a disservice, but I continue to try to improve upon it.  

Momma, if you have the same struggles, please know you are not alone.  We are not perfect parents, but we can always keep learning.  

Please rate, review, subscribe, and share Mom Treading Water.  Thank you!

Follow Mom Treading Water:

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MomTreadingWater   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QJgpKp6z0U&t=51s

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@momtreadingwater 

Instagram: @imperfectmomtreadingwater 

Pinterest: https://pin.it/cNQYnJo 

Getting to Know You: The Family Journal and Game to learn more about your family and record the fun memories.  Now available on Amazon

Check out our Strong as a Mother merch and much more at https://mom-treading-water.square.site/ 

Check out the mom self-love journal on Amazon.   When moms take those few minutes each day to practice self-love, it allows us to love others at our best.   

A Day In The Life Of A Stay-At-Home Mom journal provides 2 pages daily.  Completing the reverse to-do list is the perfect reminder of your daily accomplishments. Most importantly, it will reflect the unmeasurable value you bring to your family.

Thank you for supporting the growth of Mom Treading Water!

As a mom living with anxiety, depression, and ADHD, my feelings could become overpowering.   Yet, during the past few years, I have found ways to cope and calm my body and mind.  

The other day was one of those days; fortunately, my supportive husband was home.   I told him I needed to meditate to calm my body and mind.  Although this might not seem like a huge milestone, for me, it truly was empowering.   

Therapy teaches me to know myself better and value my needs.  

Learning to know and love myself allowed me the awareness to talk to my daughter about feelings of anxiety and, should she feel that way, that she is not alone.    

Please rate, review, subscribe, and share Mom Treading Water.  Thank you!

Follow Mom Treading Water:

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MomTreadingWater   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QJgpKp6z0U&t=51s

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@momtreadingwater 

Instagram: @imperfectmomtreadingwater 

Pinterest: https://pin.it/cNQYnJo 

Getting to Know You: The Family Journal and Game to learn more about your family and record the fun memories.  Now available on Amazon

Check out our Strong as a Mother merch and much more at https://mom-treading-water.square.site/ 

Check out the mom self-love journal on Amazon.   When moms take those few minutes each day to practice self-love, it allows us to love others at our best.   

A Day In The Life Of A Stay-At-Home Mom journal provides 2 pages daily.  Completing the reverse to-do list is the perfect reminder of your daily accomplishments. Most importantly, it will reflect the unmeasurable value you bring to your family.

Thank you for supporting the growth of Mom Treading Water!

Mom, Are You Feeling Overwhelmed? I Know How You Feel!

This mom has been extremely overwhelmed! I felt pulled in multiple directions and didn’t know where to start. No matter what I did, it was never enough, or I struggled with following through. 

Full disclosure, I am still feeling overwhelmed but processing more constructively.  

Information overload, self-induced pressures, and toxic triggers impacted my physical and mental health.   

However, my past impacted the majority of my overwhelmed feelings and affected my husband, children, and quality of life.   

My heart and head knew I needed professional help, so I returned to therapy. Although it was hard to admit, I knew it was the best decision to heal and process my dark past.  

If you have been feeling the same way, please know you are not alone.  

Please rate, review, subscribe, and share Mom Treading Water. Thank you!

Follow Mom Treading Water:

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MomTreadingWater   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QJgpKp6z0U&t=51s

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@momtreadingwater 

Instagram: @imperfectmomtreadingwater 

Pinterest: https://pin.it/cNQYnJo 

Getting to Know You: The Family Journal and Game to learn more about your family and record the fun memories.  Now available on Amazon

Check out our Strong as a Mother merch and much more at https://mom-treading-water.square.site/ 

Check out the mom self-love journal on Amazon.   When moms take those few minutes each day to practice self-love, it allows us to love others at our best.   

A Day In The Life Of A Stay-At-Home Mom journal provides 2 pages daily. Completing the reverse to-do list is the perfect reminder of your daily accomplishments. Most importantly, it will reflect the unmeasurable value you bring to your family.

Thank you for supporting the growth of Mom Treading Water!

SAHM and Working Moms: Treading Water Requires Strength, and Women Are Strong

Undoubtedly, women are strong, making moms strong as a mother.  Treading Water demands strength and stamina.  As a SAHM, I know being a mom is not for the weak.  

We are imperfect and always will be, but we are strong as SAHMs and Working Moms!

Check out our Strong as a Mother merch and much more at https://mom-treading-water.square.site/ 

Please be sure to join our mailing list to learn about new updates to the savings! https://www.momtreadingwater.com/subscribe/ 

Check outthe mom self-love journal on Amazon.   When moms take those few minutes each day to practice self-love, it allows us to love others at our best.   

Getting to Know You: The Family Journal and Game to learn more about your family and record the fun memories.  Now available on Amazon!  

A Day In The Life Of A Stay-At-Home Mom journal provides 2 pages for each day.  Completing the reverse to-do list is the perfect reminder of all you accomplish in a single day. Most importantly, it will reflect the unmeasurable value you bring to your family.

Mom Treading Water (The Imperfect Mom) is available on all podcast apps or right here! www.momtreadingwater.com/podcast-episodes/

Please rate, review, subscribe, and share Mom Treading Water.  Thank you!

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Follow Mom Treading Water:

Please join us on Facebook, Mom Treading Water:https://www.facebook.com/MomTreadingWater   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QJgpKp6z0U&t=51s

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMd3dbnxT/

Instagram: @imperfectmomtreadingwater 

Pinterest: https://pin.it/cNQYnJo 

Thank you for supporting the growth of Mom Treading Water!

 *Please note that I may earn a small commission on affiliate links at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for supporting the success of Mom Treading Water.   

As a continuation from last week’s episode, here are ways we live on an average income allowing me to be a SAHM.  The following tips are not just for SAHMs but all moms and anyone looking to make some easy financial adjustments.  

Please note that I am not a financial advisor, and this is not financial advice.  I am sharing our experiences in hopes of helping others.

• Rakuten: Rakuten is one of my favorites and a  FREE APP!    You search where you plan to shop, click on that particular store, and start saving.
  *For examples, click here. You will earn $30 when you spend $30, and I will earn $30 too. Please refer to Rakuten for details.
• Ibotta: Ibotta is a great app for saving money on everyday purchases like groceries!  Please refer to Ibotta for details and terms and to earn $10 fast!!. *Check it out by clicking here 

Check out our Moms Saving Money new section on our website at https://www.momtreadingwater.com/moms-saving-money/  

Episodes to work toward financial freedom:  https://www.momtreadingwater.com/podcast-episodes/financial-freedom-podcast-episodes/

Please be sure to join our mailing list to learn about new updates to the savings! https://www.momtreadingwater.com/subscribe/ 

Now on Amazon:  
the mom self-love journal
Getting to Know You: The Family Journal and Game
A Day In The Life Of A Stay-At-Home Mom 

Subscribe to Mom Treading Water’s weekly newsletter! https://www.momtreadingwater.com 

Facebook Group, Mom Treading Water: https://www.facebook.com/groups/490411995647295/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QJgpKp6z0U&t=51s

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMd3dbnxT/

Instagram: @imperfectmomtreadingwater 

Pinterest: https://pin.it/cNQYnJo 

Thank you for supporting the growth of Mom Treading Water!

 *Please note that I may earn a small commission on affiliate links at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for supporting the success of Mom Treading Water.   

Both moms and dads ask us how we can financially survive on 1 income, allowing me to be a  SAHM.  

Learn our tips and tricks for fast and easy savings on managing our food and grocery bills.   

Please note that I am not a financial advisor.  This is not financial advice.  I am sharing our experiences in hopes of helping other moms and dads keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.  

• Rakuten: Rakuten is one of my favorites and a  FREE APP!    You search where you plan to shop, click on that particular store, and start saving.  Some examples of stores include Target, Walmart, Kohl’s, Old Navy, and more! Bonus offers are not uncommon!
  *For example, click here. You will earn $30 when you spend $30, and I will earn $30 too. Please refer to Rakuten for details.
• Ibotta: Ibotta is a great app for saving money on everyday purchases like groceries!
  Please refer to Ibotta for details and terms and to earn $10 fast!!. *Check it out by clicking here 

Check out our Moms Saving Money new section on our website at https://www.momtreadingwater.com/moms-saving-money/  

Please be sure to join our mailing list to learn about new updates to the savings! https://www.momtreadingwater.com/subscribe/ 

Check out the mom self-love journal ,   Getting to Know You: The Family Journal and Game and A Day In The Life Of A Stay-At-Home Mom .  Now available on Amazon!  

Please rate, review, subscribe, and share Mom Treading Water.  Thank you!

Please join our Facebook Group, Mom Treading Water: https://www.facebook.com/groups/490411995647295/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QJgpKp6z0U&t=51s

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMd3dbnxT/

Instagram: @imperfectmomtreadingwater 

Pinterest: https://pin.it/cNQYnJo 

Thank you for supporting the growth of Mom Treading Water!

 *Please note that I may earn a small commission on affiliate links at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for supporting the success of Mom Treading Water.