Unapologetically Imperfect

This week we talk about when you allow your children to make choices. Also, when you have children that are creative and love to experiment with different looks, whether it's in clothing or makeup...how you respond and react is key to their self-esteem and the key to not stifle their creative nature. We need to support their creative exploration as it will define who they become and how they will function in this world.

We are so excited to be recording in-person again! Ladies we are trying to get our Unapologetically Imperfect groove back and ditch our Zoom recordings.

COVID has changed our lives this past year. We remember when things all of a sudden came to a halt...kids were sent home from school, parents were not going to work and things because very different. And now vaccines are available.  We were both not planning on getting the vaccine and we share our thoughts and why we changed our minds. Everyone has the right to decide whether or not this is something they want to do...and we wanted to share our experiences and what drove our choices.

So our kids have gone back to school on what they are calling a Hybrid System. They attending school in-person 2 days a week and the other days are distance learning from home. We are juggling new schedules and trying to get our bearings for the next month and a half until our kids are out for Summer break. How are we coping? What have we been experiencing? Will the numbers stay down so they can finish out the school year this way? These are all the things running through our minds as we deal with Hybrid School in 2021! 

We have waited for this news for some time...it looks like the kids will be going back to school. For use here that means Hybrid schedules for most of the kids. That means they are going 2 days a week in person (alternating with other kids) and distance learning the other days. Let's see how this goes and hopefully, they can continue until the end of the school year.  As we transition to this new phase of COVID guidelines how do we make it special for our kids. 

In this episode, we talk about trying to raise strong women and all the good, the bad, and the ugly that come along with it. We also touch on how we want really independent strong women and how sometimes that can make raising girls challenging.  We want to teach our girls how to advocate for themselves and express their individuality. But sometimes that expression can be new hairstyles or clothing we don't really agree with...but we grin and bear it!

We celebrate Claire's birthday...virtually. And we chat about what we would love to do once all this is over with all our Unapologetically Imperfect Mamas!  Claire has a great plan...a huge birthday celebration for all those we were not able to celebrate during the pandemic. Sounds like a plan to me! 

Since we cannot have a birthday bash this year we are celebrating our birthdays ALL MONTH with our listeners. This month we will find fun ways to include you all in our birthday celebrations!  And...we love cupcakes so if you are feeling like baking and want to bring us some treats we would gladly accept them! 

Have you noticed all the fashion and shows that were cool to us back when we were kids are coming back? The fashion...stonewashed jeans, 80's sweaters, etc. If we had known that our clothes would have made a comeback we would have held on to them. Then our kids would have vintage clothes from the 80's. What would you like to have back from your childhood...your favorite fashion rave, TV show, a movie remake?

How do you keep that spark alive during the pandemic when you are spending more time together and EVERYONE is home? We talk about things you can do to make time for you and your special person and keep that connection.

How do you navigate this current environment when you have a child that is getting ready to go off to college. Times are different and we have to figure out how to best support our high school seniors as they prepare to go off to college. Some will stay close by but what about those looking to leave your home. Claire and I talk about how she's navigating this with her daughter who is a high school senior this year. We hope you find this episode helpful.

This week we are just chatting about things that are on our mind. Join us for another girlfriend chat. Mama's, we hope you can relate and know you are not alone.

In this episode, we tackle how we respond or pick up the pieces when our kids fail or do something that disappoints us. At one point or another you will have an incident with your child. It's part of their growth and part of them exploring boundaries. Know you are not alone...find a friend you can chat with who will be honest with you can possibly give you guidance.

We are announcing a life-changing event in the Unapologetically Imperfect family. You won't want to miss this announcement. 

We are back for our second season of Unapologetically Imperfect. We thought we'd wish you all a Happy New Year and share some of the lessons we learned last year in 2020. We welcome you to our podcast if you are new and hope you subscribe, share and enjoy!

Here's a fun segment we do where we give each other 5 choices. We'd love to know what you would choose.

**Due to some platform issues this episode is coming to you a little late*** We know with everything going on this year the holidays may look a little different in your house. What things can we do to make it special? How will things be a little different this year?

While we are all still grappling with how this pandemic has changed our lives it's important that we practice and teach our children to practice GRATITUDE. We have to remember all the things we do have and what we are grateful for even when things are tough. By practicing gratitude you can literally change your brain chemistry to change your day. Be grateful!  Remember all your blessings and share your gratitude with others.  We are grateful for our faithful Unapologetically Imperfect community. 

Here's a fun segment we do where we give each other 5 choices. We'd love to know what you would choose.

A real conversation we were having about do you encourage your kids to do what they love as their career or do you steer them in a direction where how much they make is a determining factor? We hope you enjoy it and we'd love to hear your opinion.

It is that time of year where parents of children that are seniors in high school have started the college application process. Kione has been through this process once and Claire is in it for the first time. We share our insights, tips, and give you support. Please share this episode with anyone you know going through this process...they can use the support.

Here's a fun segment we do where we give each other 5 choices. We'd love to know what you would choose. 

This episode we just decided to chat...no outline or any specific topic. Just girlfriend chat...this is glimpse of what our conversations are like at time. Enjoy U I Mamas!

Do you all get 24 hours in your day? Sometimes if feels like you don't have enough time to get all the things done you want. In this episode we talk about feeling overwhelmed, seasons of busyness, prioritizing what needs to be done and most importantly, REST is productive. Enjoy and please share this episode with someone if it touched you in any way!

We will talk in this episode about being true to you. Being fierce, comfortable in your own skin, knowing you don't have to do it all and being unapologetic. Please subscribe and share.

This is a game we play where we ask each other 5 "this or that" questions. We would love to here your choices...be sure to connect with us on social media (FB, IG, and YouTube).

Here we are in September and a lot of our "normal" day-to-day lives have changed in the wake of COVID-19. As we move forward, not knowing how long our lives will be disrupted we have to redefine what normal looks like for us and our families. We still need to make those celebrations and transitions special and work on finding the hidden blessings in some of the changes that have come about. And we will discuss making lemons into lemonade mentality during this time.

UPDATED: We are sorry for the audio on the first go-around on this episode. We thought this episode was important and re-recorded it for you all. ENJOY! We are all experiencing challenges with the new normal of Distance Learning. In this episode we will talk about: - The Pros & Cons - How to make the best of it - Communicating with your child's teachers - What if this lasts longer than we expect Let's make this experience as enjoyable as we can by thinking outside the box on how to make the most of this time.

This is a game we play where we ask each other 5 "this or that" questions. We would love to here your choices...be sure to connect with us on social media (FB, IG, and YouTube).

This is a game we play where we ask each other 5 "this or that" questions. We would love to here your choices...be sure to connect with us on social media (FB, IG, and YouTube). 

We are back from our Summer break and thought it's time for another check-in to see how you are coping right now. The last time we spoke about this we were closer to the begin of all the stay at home orders. We are now much further in, our kids are distance learning for how long we aren't completely sure. We know it can be hard to stay positive and be the rock for your family...however, you have to take care of yourself. You cannot care for others if you aren't doing well. Be honest...how are you doing? Check in with your virtual village of support, avoid negativity and choose happiness. 

This week we talk about things our kids have said or done that were just pure comedy. You know there are moments when your kids do or say something that you just wonder...where did they get that from.  Sit back, have a laugh and enjoy. Feel free to share your funny stories with us!

How are you doing? It seemed we were moving in the right direction as things have slowly started opening up but now things are shutting back down. With all the uncertainty of the rest of this summer and the school year ahead, we wanted to check in with you mamas and see how you are hanging in there. Let us know...we are here!

We felt it was worth an episode to revisit the episode we did back on January 8, 2020. It was a very different time back then...and that was only 5 months ago. So, where are we now and what can we do to still push forward with the goals we set at the beginning of the year? Enjoy this episode and remember...there's always time for a reset!

Even though this episode is all about Moms we are truly grateful for the men we get to call our children's father! Remember, they will not do things like you do, they have "dad jokes" and they love our children with all of their hearts. This episode is dedicated to our husbands that support us in all our endeavors and help raise our children. 

It can be hard when your kids start changing from babies to toddlers, from toddlers to kids, kids to teens and teens to adults. Enjoy the ride! Sometimes it's hard for us to see them changing because we know that one day they will be adults. We are with you...

This episode is about taking time to rest and recharge your batteries U I Mamas. It's so important that we take care of ourselves so we can take care of others. With all the extra stressors we've had these last few months...it's very likely you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Remember to take time for you. Whether it's to read a good book, sneak away for a snack or just disappear in a bubble bath.

Right now you are probably having some discussions with your kids about many things from COVID-19, to political and now the recent protests. Take advantage of these times to help your children develop the skills to have these conversations. Let them be privy to your decision process for instance to why you have chosen a certain side. For instance, when you kids don't understand why you have chosen to continue to social distance and play it safe even though things are opening back up. Let them do the research and share their take on things. We hope you enjoy this episode and take away some great tips on having those difficult discussions with your kids.

Summer may have a bit of a different feel this year. But what are some things you are looking forward to this summer? Any plans to do anything special?  Maybe you are just happy distance learning is over! We'd love to hear from you.

During COVID-19 we've had to become many things to our kids...teacher, principal, PE teacher, counselor, and more. How are you coping? Hang in there...we are with you. Take it one day at a time.

This episode is very different from all our other episodes. We thought we needed to have a conversation about something that was on our minds this last week. It's raw, real and a hard conversation to have with our followers.

This Mother's Day with COVID-19 restrictions means we will all be celebrating Mother's Day a little differently this year. What will you miss or what would you want to have done this year? How will you make this Mother's Day special? We've got some ideas...we can't wait to hear yours!

A candid conversation about some of the things we are missing during this time with the #stayathome order in place. Friends, socializing, alone time...the list goes on. Take a listen and see...you are not alone ladies!

The purpose of this episode is to give moms hope and encouragement as they deal with the disappointment of their kids missing out on milestone markers during this time: quinceaneras, sweet 16 parties, prom, kinder/6t/8th grade promotions, high school/college graduations, and etc.

If you have not had a child go through puberty yet then our talk with Dr. Jefferson, Child Specialist/Psychologist will help prepare you.  Get ready for the ups and downs. We will talk about what to expect, what changes are happening and when. It's a time of transformation for our kids...so let's understand what's going on so we can better help them through this interesting and sometimes difficult time.

Are you having to break up arguments and hearing bickering amongst your children? You have now been promoted to Covid-19 Mommy Referee!!! Tensions are high because we are all having to stay inside and spend lots and lots of time with each other right now. But take a deep breath U I Mamas...you are not alone! Get your whistles out!

We know things are not "life as normal" right now. But mom's hang in there and know that it's ok if you need a little timeout just to keep yourself sane during this time. Things DO NOT have to be perfect and especially right now...do the best you can. 

We have never experienced a time like this before in our lives, so it's understandable that we are finding this "new normal" a bit of a struggle some days. We should not beat our selves up if we don't have the perfect "homeschooling" day or our schedule is a little CRAZY.  We have to remember to just be in the moment and take this time to make some great memories with our kids. Whether it's writing with sidewalk chalk on the driveway and sidewalk outside of your home, taking walks, playing games or watching some great movies together. Our children will remember this time because it's so unprecedented...but what memories are made will outshine the fact they cannot see their friends and their school year has been disrupted.

We interviewed a local educator who has been a teacher for 29 years for some insight on what we need to be doing with our kids, how we adapt and things we should know during the Coronavirus school closures. We hope you enjoy this episode and find the information useful. Stay safe and continue 'social distancing'.

These are some uncertain and stressful times. But let's be the rock for our kids and find ways to get through this. And remember, you are not alone.