I recently got slapped and got slapped hard! Why? Because when asked why I work so hard, I said I wanted to pay for my kiddos' college education. The person assumed incorrectly that my children felt entitled to this promise. She didn't realize that I work and work hard because it is what I want to do for my kids. I don't want them to have to work while they are in school. I don't want them to get crippling student loans. It is my choice to invest in a solid foundation for their future! And the future of my hypothetical grandchildren!

My husband's dream house is a ginormous monstrosity in the Caribbean. A place where our family connections weakened in the square footage and junk we collected. In all honesty, I hate it. Though I always tried to like it for his sake. When the pandemic happened, we moved to our small condo in Florida. Since the move, we are more connected, have more heartfelt conversations, and have stronger familial bonds became. We are going, tiny mamas! It's my turn to have my dream home!

My biggest challenge was and still is not the pandemic. It was that my girls became teenagers. Yes, things have changed! I have to remind myself that even if they look more like adults, they are not adults! So hard to remember! They behave as though every decision they make is final, so they often feel overwhelmed. And they act out! On top of all this, I also have to help my husband not lose his mind. I continuously remind myself this is temporary. One day the teen years will be over!

Since the New Year is around the corner, I'm going to talk about changes. This year, I have to decide (again) whether or not we'll home school the following year; I'm fighting my husband about returning to our home in the Caribbean; the girls will be turning fourteen, and it feels like it's the beginning of them leaving our home behind. There are so many possibilities. I don't feel scared, but I feel a little overwhelmed.

I'm fifty-four years old, and I believe in Santa Claus! Why? Because I believe in the goodness of humanity. I really believe that Santa represents the best of humanity -- hope and kindness. I'm glad that I have fostered my children's belief in Santa Claus. Because, by extension, I am reinforcing their ability to hope, be kind, and receive kindness.

I'm fifty-four years old, and I believe in Santa Claus! Why? Because I believe in the goodness of humanity. And I really believe that Santa represents the best of humanity, be it a meal, a much-needed hug, a new toy, a used toy, a kind word. Santa is the best that humanity has to give to one another, hope and kindness. I believe that by helping my children believe in magic, I help Santa keep that magic alive, hope, and kindness, not only during Christmas time but throughout the year.

November 21st is a special day because that's when the elves on the shelf come home. This year, the elves didn't check-in during the year. I tried to bribe them to visit us early, but they wouldn't be bribed! I miss their visits. They bring the magic of childhood—magic so strong that it goes back and brings out the best in my own childhood memories. The elves represent hope—of better behavior, overcoming challenges, a glimpse into a future with grandchildren.

I took thanksgiving for granted, thinking that there would always be another in which I would enjoy my family and friends. Then the pandemic hit, making sure I will never take this special holiday for granted ever again! I am so grateful for my friends and family that we have not lost any of them in the pandemic despite several becoming very ill. I'm grateful for my husband and children. I'm thankful that despite all the challenges we have faced this year, I can still recognize that I have a lot to be grateful for.

As parents, we have this idea that our children should be perfect. But do we really expect perfection? It's healthy not to always be perfect. Nothing's wrong with stepping back and saying that something is not just for us. We all go through phases in our lives, especially our kids—lying, unpleasant habits, slacking—these are things that we need to experience. It's normal. I just hope that through their phases and experiences, my kids learn to be the best versions of themselves that they can be.

It takes too much effort to be perfect. But in reality, we, as human beings and as moms, cannot be perfect. So let's try instead to be great moms. We have to accept that we will never have all the answers, and our kids should know that. They should know that we, too, make mistakes but are willing to learn from them and that we'll exert every effort to make them the very best version of themselves that they could possibly be.