Subscribe & receive all blog updates straight to your email!

Theta Mom®

Redefining Motherhood

My Little Wildflower

I’ve said before on this blog that I never knew how much the Earth would shift when I became a mother. Little did I know how much more it would shift when I gave birth to my baby girl. I’ve experienced things in the last few months that I never knew existed in motherhood. I’ve reached emotions that I never knew I had and there were many days I was shaken to the core.

I can’t speak for anyone but myself. I can’t provide the perfect answer or offer the “right” advice in parenting for any other mother since I only know what is best for me, my child and my family. I’ve written in the past about the power of a mother’s intuition and I firmly stand by that statement with such conviction.

I was watching my daughter recently traveling through a field of sunflowers. She reminded me of the beauty of simplicity. As she kept walking it was so obvious that she was just another variable amidst these beautiful sunflowers. She’s never static, her body and spirit purely kinetic; moving sometimes what seems to be the speed of light. And she is so curious about everything. Even one of life’s simplest treasures like the smell and touch of a sunflower peaked her interest.

As I continued to stand at a distance and watch my daughter roam the field of sunflowers I realized that the future is uncertain for us right now and we are about to embark on some uncharted territory. A road never traveled with the unsettling feeling of fear of the unknown very present among us…

But after taking a deep breath, my fears subsided as I looked into the face of this beautiful little being and I am reminded why she was put on this Earth – because from her very first breath she truly stole my heart.

And although I am meandering through so much uncertainty right now, there is one thing I do know for sure. That God gave me this little girl – to love, protect, guide, and honor. And with every fiber of my being I will do that every single day of my life until the day I die. Because I am a mother and that’s what mothers do.

Yes my baby girl, regardless of how hard the road ahead may be, I will be right by your side – loving you, fighting for you, and supporting you every step of the way.

This, my little wildflower, is what I know for sure.

Motherhood is NOT One Size Fits All

I have been really struggling the last few months with my 20 month-old daughter. I have not blogged about it since I have been unable to find the right words and quite frankly, I’m still trying to strike a balance between sharing my experience and staying somewhat private at the same time especially since it directly relates to her health – so I know I will find the right space in due time.

But I would like to share a few words with some people in public (and some directly in my life) that seem to have it all figured out. They are so quick to judge me and my daughter and to them I need to say:

When I’m at the doctor’s office, leave your snarky behavior at the door. I can’t stand the looks given to us from the adults without children as well as some of the receptionists. My little girl tries her best to be “good” in a space that is simply not made for children so cut us a break. We’re doing the best damn job we can.

When I’m at the store and my daughter is screaming please don’t glare at me like I am not doing enough, like I am some kind of “bad” mother. Don’t stare at me as if I have “no control” over my child. Instead of giving me such nasty looks offer me a smile or perhaps a few words of encouragement. Obviously, I am really struggling in the situation so your glares and stares are just adding to the drama.

When I’m out in public and my daughter throws a tantrum with full body movements that lasts for minutes don’t act like you’ve never been there before. Don’t look at me like I am a freak and my child is even more freakish. Don’t stop and stare and don’t judge me OR her. It wasn’t that long ago when you walked down that same road so just because your child is a teenager now don’t act like you haven’t been right where I am.

When I’m in your company and especially if I meet you for the first time, please don’t offer me advice when I don’t ask for it unless you are my own mother. I don’t care that your “picky eater” suddenly began to eat certain foods because of some miracle that you tried. Don’t act like you know the magic bullet that will help my kid or that your “advice” will automatically work just because you reached success with it. What worked for your child does not necessarily mean it will work for mine because motherhood is NOT one size fits all.

And although I used to enjoy conversing with other moms about the challenges of motherhood, the kind of attitude I have been getting lately feels more judgemental than supportive so I refuse to continue any kind of dialogue with these women. And I chose to publish this post because I know there are tons of other Theta Moms reading this right now who have experienced these SAME conversations with THOSE moms. This is exactly why I love my blog so much because I know that YOU get it.

The bottom line is that I am trying to cope the only way I know how on so many levels. This has been a part of motherhood I never knew existed nor experienced up until now.

So unless you’ve walked at least five minutes in my shoes don’t pass judgment on me or my daughter – because we are doing the best damn job we can right now.

Stella & Dot Review and Giveaway

***This contest is now closed. Congratulations Teresha! An email has been sent.***

Stella & Dot was founded by busy mother of two, Jessica Herrin. She co-founded weddingchannel.com in 2004 and wanted to put her business and creative talents to good use. With an education from Stanford combined with real world experience, Jessica was able to find a balance between career and home by creating Stella & Dot. She established a vision for this company by developing a business based on the concept of marketing a fabulous product through e-commerce and social networking as its foundation. This has lead to the major success of women running their own businesses representing Stella & Dot in the last few years.

I was introduced to Stella & Dot for the first time by an independent consultant, Seana Kromann, and I have to tell you I am very impressed. Part of the immediate draw for me (other than the gorgeous jewelry) was reading about how this company was established. Many young women with drive and determination have paved the way to show that with some creativity and hard work a “big idea” can turn into a reality. The founder and creative director of Stella & Dot certainly emulate this. I have read about this company in the press before but haven’t had the opportunity to try the product until now. I reviewed The Garden Party Chandelier Earrings in ivory:

These gorgeous earrings have gold plated brass and hand painted enamel. They also have 14kt gold wires. Lately, I’ve been in need of sprucing up my wardrobe and feeling good about the way I look as a WAHM so these earrings are the perfect start. They are a wonderful accessory for date night with the hubs but I must tell you that they totally give me that beauty boost even when I am just running out with the kids to the store. I was impressed with how adorable and well made the earrings are in addition to what I have read. Stella & Dot is certainly a company that has built an amazing brand and it is one I fully endorse. They truly have an amazing product!

And be sure to click here to find out how you can become a consultant for Stella & Dot just like Seana Kromann. She would love to answer any questions you have!

You can purchase The Garden Party Chandelier Earrings in ivory for $54.00 here or you can enter to win because Stella & Dot is giving one lucky Theta Mom reader the chance to win $50 to shop at Stella & Dot! How awesome is this giveaway?

How to Enter The Stella & Dot Giveaway:

*****Required Entry: Follow my blog publicly and tell me you are AND visit Stella & Dot and tell me how you would spend the $50.

Extra Entries: (You must leave a separate entry for each extra entry to count and extra entries won’t count unless the required entry is done)


1. Follow Theta Mom on Twitter here and leave me your twitter name. (1 entry)

2. Become a “Like” of Theta Mom on Facebook here and leave me your FB name. (1 entry)

3. Subscribe to Theta Mom via email. You must activate the subscription for this entry to count. (2 entries)

4. Subscribe to Theta Mom any other way. (1 entry)

5. Grab one of my cute buttons and add it to your website. (2 entries per button)

6. Click to vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs. Just click the banner on the right side bar and tell me you clicked. (1 entry per click-can click up to 3x)

7. If you have a BlogFrog profile, join my BlogFrog Community here and leave me your BlogFrog profile name. (1 entry)

8. Tweet this giveaway! Just copy/paste the following: Love Stella & Dot?  Enter to win $50 to shop  #stellaanddot #jewelry #giveaway @ThetaMom  http://bit.ly/9XjOd2 Please RT (1 entry per daily tweet)

9. Post about this giveaway on your blog and link back to me. Leave me your link to show the post. (2 entries)

10. Add Theta Mom to your blogroll. (2 entries)

Giveaway Rules:

This giveaway is open to US residents only. It begins on June 12, 2010 and will end on June 24, 2010 at 8 pm. One winner with a valid entry will be selected at random using random.org. The winner will be announced and must respond with a current email address within 48 hours to claim. Otherwise, another eligible entry will be chosen. Enter as many extra entries as you would like Theta Moms and good luck!

I was provided The Garden Party Chandelier Earrings in ivory. I was not compensated for this review. These are my own honest opinions and experience with the product.

Featured TMC Blogger: Loulou’s Views

TMC welcomes Loukia, author of the blog Loulou’s Views. Loukia is one of those bloggers that I instantly connected with the moment I visited her blog for the first time. She has such an adorable blog design and she blogs about topics that always relate to me. Loukia is also a very personable blogger, very reflective of motherhood and her family experiences. And she always adds the best pictures to her blog, too! Here is how she describes her blog in her own words:

“My name is Loukia – aka – Loulou, and I’m a married mom of two amazing little boys. My boys are the loves of my life! I have been blogging for over three years now, and I love it – I love writing about my adventures as a mom, about my boys, about the situations I get myself in (like almost dying while going for a Mystic Tan!) and I love to give advice on topics like travelling with children, shopping and providing tips for new moms. 

Aside from being a full-time, 24 hours a day mom – the hardest and most amazing job ever – I work full-time in the federal government in Communications. Before working for the government, I worked in television and radio, both on-air and behind the scenes. I also interned at Entertainment Tonight and at CBS TV. Nothing beats the excitement of a newsroom – until you have kids! Then the excitement is never-ending!

I love to blog because I love to write – and through blogging, I have met some amazing, incredible people – it’s truly such an awesome community! The support, the comment love, the stories, the connections… I’m looking forward to meeting you! (And I’ll also be at BlogHer this August in NYC – so let me know if you’re going to be there, too!)”

So be sure to check out the blog and follow her on Twitter!

New to TMC? Join us! We LOVE new members!

Theta Mom is Turning One and I Want YOU to Help Me Celebrate

It’s official. My very first blogoversary is less than three weeks away and it’s hard for me to put my blogging experience over the last twelve months into words.

From the very first time I hit publish {which was actually my Mission} I knew from that very moment what I wanted this blog to be about and where I wanted it to go. But never did I imagine how this amazing community of bloggers would come together. Between TMC and the Network members continue to join, read and connect and Theta Mom continues to reach new milestones – and it’s all because of YOU.

One year ago I started this blog trying to find my own writing style, a unique design and ultimately my own voice. Aside from a technical standpoint of making the move from Blogger to WordPress, what has made my blogging experience so rewarding are the many real friendships and connections I have made – which brings me to the very reason why I would love for you to share in this special day with me. I really want YOU to help me celebrate this milestone since each of you are such an integral part of this blog.

So to begin the festivities, I am going to draft one of the BEST posts I’ve ever written and I challenge you to do the same by answering one simple question… What makes you a Theta Mom?

What makes you a Theta Mom? Was there one specific experience that was life changing for you and your family? Did you struggle with fertility? Did you overcome a difficult situation with your child? Did the Earth shift once you became a mother? If so, how? Maybe it’s your overall philosophy on motherhood that represents this? However you define it, I want you to share what makes you a true and authentic mom and write a post like you’ve never written before. Dig deep and speak directly from your heart; let’s hear your voice as you continue to support this mission.

I want you to be inspired. I want you to write one of those posts that you can’t wait for others to read. I want you to blog like you’ve never blogged before and I want you to share like you’ve never shared before. Make it funny, heart-warming, moving, happy or sad – as long as it is true to YOU.

Then grab the cute “Proud Theta Mom” button {in the right sidebar – and feel free to replace it with an older  Theta Mom button for some bloggity bling on your blog} or just link to me in the post you create and be sure to link up that post beginning Monday June 28th. I will have a Linky set up for five days so you can link up and have some time to really get to know other Theta Mom bloggers that have linked up and done the same. It will be the perfect opportunity to meet some new bloggers and read some awesome posts! But wait, there’s more…

What better way to kick off this party than with an AMAZING giveaway attached to this blogoversary? For those of you who are not yet familiar with Modern Bird Studios be sure to check out their website, follow them on Twitter (Megan actually tweets back and is one of my favorite tweeps) and like them on Facebook. You can also check out the full review published at Theta Mom all about Modern Bird Studios which you’ll definitely want to read if you haven’t yet.

Modern Bird Studios was so excited to hear about my blogoversary that they wanted to help me celebrate so they are going to sponsor another giveaway at Theta Mom!!! If you write a “Proud Theta Mom” post and link up on the Linky during the week of June 28th at Theta Mom, you will automatically be entered to win a custom 12X24 piece of artwork by Modern Bird Studios (valued at $280)! The winner of this special giveaway will be chosen by me based on the BEST “Proud Theta Mom” post. Here is a photo of the gorgeous artwork that I had done by Modern Bird Studios and reviewed:

You can also tweet to help spread the word about this awesome blogoversary: Join @ThetaMom celebrate her blogoversary 4 chance to win a custom piece of art from @modern_bird Details: http://bit.ly/c2XEiv Please RT

I really don’t think this blogoversary could be any more special. I can’t wait to officially kick off this party with lots of GREAT blog reading and an amazing giveaway from Modern Bird Studios! So get those Proud Theta Mom ideas ready, grab the button and begin writing a phenomenal post set to publish beginning June 28th as you answer one simple question: What makes you a Theta Mom?