Weekend Activities to Enjoy with Your Toddler

Hi Mommas, 

Weekends are the perfect time to bond with your child and create unforgettable memories. Engaging in fun activities not only promotes a healthy relationship between you and your child but also helps them develop various skills. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to prioritize quality time with your child, and cherish the moments spent together.

There are plenty of fun and educational activities you can do with your toddler over the weekend. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Visit a park: 

   Take your toddler to a nearby park for some fresh air and outdoor playtime. You can bring their bikes or balls to play with, or simply let your toddler explore the playground equipment.

    

2. Attend a story time: 

    

   Check with your local library or bookstore to see if they have a story time event for toddlers. This is a great way to encourage a love of reading while also socializing with other children. I recently visited the library to get a library card and found that there was so much to do for kids. The only thing to be mindful of are the homeless. They don't bother just make sure your kiddos don't wonder off out of site.

    

3. Cook or Bake together: 

    

   Choose a simple recipe, such as spaghetties or cookies, and let your toddler help measure and mix the ingredients. This is a fun way to introduce basic math and science concepts while also enjoying a sweet treat or a fun meal.

    

4. Arts and crafts: 

    

   Set up a table with some crayons, markers, and paper and let your toddler get creative. You can also try more involved crafts, such as playdoe time or making a collage.

    

5. Go on a nature walk:

    

   Take a walk through a nearby park or nature trail and encourage your toddler to point out different animals, plants, and insects. You can also collect leaves or flowers to make a nature collage or other craft.

    

6. Visit a children's museum:

    

   Many cities have museums geared specifically towards young children, with interactive exhibits and activities. This is a great way to engage your toddler's curiosity and encourage learning. Be mindful that covid is still real and a lot of these location have gone away with the mask mandate. It is not a good time for you to go away with the mandate as well. Masking up would be my advice to you.

    

7. Try a amusement themed park: 

   We recently visited a park called dig world and my toddler had a blast. He loves construction, so he was able to enjoy and ride on a lot of equipment during his time there. Lets not talk about when it was time to go. Homeboy cut up but we still made it through.

Remember, the most important thing is to spend quality time with your toddler and have fun together!

How to Take Care of Yourself as a Single Mother

As a believer, it is important for you as a single mom to take care of yourself. You should strive to be spiritually, physically, and mentally healthy in order to be the woman God has called you to be.

Taking care of yourself is not selfish as a single mom. It is essential for you to be the best mother you can be. Also, Jesus teaches in Matthew 22: 39 that we shall love our neighbor as yourself. For me, how can I love others if I’m not taking care of self spiritually, physically, and mentally.

 

 

There are several ways a single mother can take care of themselves, including:

1. Prioritizing self-care: 

Prioritizing your self-care can look like like you putting yourself on the calendar and not rescheduling your time unless an serious emergency. This can include taking time for activities that bring joy and relaxation, such as time with God, exercise, therapy, reading, or hobbies.

2. Setting boundaries: 

It's important for single mothers to set boundaries with their children, family, business, ministry, and others in their lives, in order to make time for yourself and your own needs.

3. Getting financial assistance: 

Single mothers may be eligible for government assistance programs, such as food stamps and cash assistance, to help with expenses. If you have a United Way in your city, please call 211 from your phone to see what services may be available to you.

4. Seeking counseling or therapy: 

Single mothers may benefit from counseling or therapy to help them cope with the stress of being a single parent and to work through any emotional issues.

Therapy Tip:

Check with your job benefits to see if you have therapy available as a benefit with your company. Search google for local programs that support therapy fees. Lastly, check with your local church to see if they offer counseling.

5. Building a support system: 

Single mothers can seek out support from friends, family, or a community of other single mothers. To become a member of the You Got This Club, a community for single moms to thrive not survive. Sign up to be added to the wait-list when the membership is available below. 

 

 

 

Avoiding Toxic Relationships as a Believer: What Measures Can You Take?

As a believer, there is so much to protect, steward, pray over. But one thing I've learned over time and one of the top things that affects us the most are relationships. This is an area I have decided to leave in God's hand personally. I figured it's obvious it's not my strong suit and he made us all. So He got it, so I've decided to follow His lead in this area. 

 

 

Toxic relationships are one of those things that the world laughs about or think is cute but it's one of the most dangerous things someone can get involved with. So I've decided to help out to discuss ways you can avoid toxic relationships by following these steps: 

Trust the leading of the Holy Spirit: 

If you discern that a relationship is unhealthy or toxic, it is probably best to stay away from it. It can become really toxic when you begin to think toxicity is cute. It's not! It's real and it could hurt you emotionally in the long run. 

Set healthy boundaries: 

Clearly communicate your boundaries when meeting others upfront and state your expectations to those you are in relationships with, and enforce them if necessary. If they can't respect that, remember your fear is in God not others. Walk away swiftly if you don't feel they respect your boundaries. 

Seek God’s guidance and wise counsel from trusted friends and mentors: 

Sometimes, it can be helpful to get advice from others who have experienced similar situations. This has saved me in many situations. 

Pray for guidance:

Ask for God's wisdom and direction in making decisions about your relationships. He's the best, why? Because again, he created us. 

Prioritize your relationship with God: 

By putting your relationship with God first, you will be better equipped to make decisions that honor Him and avoid toxic relationships. 

Focus on self-care: 

Taking care of yourself emotionally, physically, and spiritually can help you avoid toxic relationships and attract healthier ones. It's something about peace when you come from a childhood of trauma and did the work of healing your past. 

Let me tell you, the enemy hears your prayers and your cries so don't become desperate in this area allowing the worlds time clock to affect the path of God. Remember, it's okay to end a relationship if it's not healthy or toxic. Trust God to bring you the right people at the right time. He has a plan for your life but when you step in to rearrange the plan, you do yourself a disservice by getting involved with people who carry so much darkness before you know it, you're in a 10 year, too long relationship wondering who is the person you’re with. Guard your heart, pray and fast before you get involved with folks, and follow the prompting of the holy spirit. 

I hope this was helpful.