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THE DIARY OF A BONUS MOM

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my momish moments, diary of a bonus mom

"I didn't give you the gift of life, but life gave me the gift of you."

LATEST MOM HACKS:

happy kid playing with innovative toys for kids
July 12, 2019

7 Best Innovative Toys For Kids

If you're looking to increase your child's higher thinking and creative skills, here are a few of the best...

by Marisa Donnelly
happy kids with feet over pool edge
July 9, 2019

6 Best Kid-Friendly, Non-Toxic Sunscreens of 2019

If you want to protect yourself and your kiddos with some of the best and safest products, here’s a...

by Marisa Donnelly
happy woman in flowers, farmers market tips
July 6, 2019

8 Tips For Taking Advantage Of Your Local Farmers Market

The farmers market is a God-send. From cheaper prices to the freshest produce known to mankind, not to mention...

by Marisa Donnelly
happy girl holding younger child by palm trees
July 2, 2019

Mama On A Budget: 12 Ways To Save Money In The City

If you’re looking to get the max out of your time while being conservative with your wallet, here are...

by Marisa Donnelly

FROM THE HEART:

candid bonus parenting advice

Candid Bonus Parenting Advice You Need To Read Right Now

by Marisa Donnelly

Here's some candid bonus parenting advice: stop comparing, stop stressing, and stop wishing you could do or be different. Simply show up and be you.

October 10, 2019
From The Heart
happy child eating watermelon in the bathtub

What People Don’t Understand About Being A Bonus Parent

by Marisa Donnelly

What people don’t understand about being a bonus parent is how much of your heart is filled, every time that little person walks through the door.

July 15, 2019
From The Heart
parent and child feet, how taking care of children changes you

13 Ways Taking Care Of Children Changes You

by Marisa Donnelly

Taking care of children changes you; loving children changes you. You go from being selfish to prioritizing a little person’s needs above your own.

July 10, 2019
From The Heart
My Bonus Mom Story

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Our Unfiltered Life:

Instagram post 2177208909877860943_13447781425 Oh hey, just dropping in to remind you that yesterday is gone, today is new, and you're doing better than you think you are.⠀ ⠀ There's this voice in my head that's always finding fault with myself and my journey. I'm always thinking about what I haven't done, what I'm failing at, where I'm falling behind, etc. The list goes on an on. But I have to remember that I'm not alone in this. I have to remember that I'm not the only person who makes mistakes, says the wrong thing, or completely messes up.⠀ ⠀ None of us are perfect. ⠀ And yet, we're still rockin' it.⠀ So remember that, okay?!⠀ ⠀ ______
Instagram post 2175726251104672473_13447781425 "She was nine months old and her birth dad died, so I have to be her dad. I have to be her dad. She doesn’t know anything else." — @j_daddy3317⠀ ⠀ Thankful for people like Jordan who remind me that I'm not alone in my #bonusparent journey. Everyone's story is so different, complicated, and sometimes messy, but they're all so beautiful. ⠀ ⠀ ______
Instagram post 2175303553299964575_13447781425 "Does it get any better than this?"⠀ ⠀ I ask myself this question a zillion times a week. I asked it tonight as I tucked Austin in bed and he leaned up to kiss me on the cheek. I asked it on Friday night when we all curled into bed for an early family movie night. I asked it when Austin poked his head into the main room of the doctor's office, looked for a snack, and then said, 'I love you,' as he headed back.⠀ ⠀ "Does it get any better than this?"⠀ ⠀ Every day is a testament that it will. ❤️⠀ ⠀ _______⠀ 📷: unknown
Instagram post 2166493444918550649_13447781425 I'm not going anywhere.⠀ ⠀ I promise that when you cry, I'll be there to wipe the tears. That when you fall off your bike, I'll be standing beside you, ready to smile and tell you to stand tall again. That I'll be the car waiting in the parking lot after school, the smile in the driver's seat as we head to an appointment, handing a tupperware of snacks over the back seat.⠀ ⠀ I promise that I will teach you all the things I think are important, even if sometimes it's too much or you get too tired. That I'll sit patiently as you do homework, correct your mistakes with a gentle hand.⠀ ⠀ I promise that I'll take pictures of you at every milestone, that I'll brush your hair back from your eyes even when you say it's annoying. That I'll try to gel and style the front part like dad does, even though it's never quite as good.⠀ ⠀ I promise that I'll sing you bed time stories, make you dinners that are filled with sneaky vegetables, and wake up with you every morning to send you off to school. That you won't have to wonder if I'll be there at all the important events. That you'll never question how I see you — not a burden, but a bonus.⠀ ⠀ My bonus son. #momishmoments⠀ ⠀ _______
Instagram post 2165644402126750781_13447781425 LOL. I had to share this because it makes me laugh. 😂⠀ ⠀ There are so many ' #parentinghacks ' I've come across in trying to understand my bonus mom journey. It seems like everyone has an opinion (good and bad) and everyone wants to share their choices or experiences.⠀ ⠀ While I love that people are willing to share their personal truths (as I'm doing this along my own journey!) I think it's super important to remember that everyone's story is different.⠀ ⠀ There isn't a 'hack' to parenting.⠀ ⠀ I can laugh at this quote because yes, being a #bonusmom is damn hard.⠀ ⠀ But I hate how parenting (and step-parenting) sometimes gets this negative vibe all the time. Yeah, it's hard as hell to care for a tiny human. But that doesn't mean it's not worth it. That doesn't mean it's one of the most amazing and rewarding things, even if and when it's tough.⠀ ⠀ I share this post — not to be negative — but to share a laugh with my fellow parents (bonus and bio). It's hard. And there are no 'hacks.' But it's still one of the best things in the world. #momishmoments⠀ ⠀ ___________
Instagram post 2164994482290257407_13447781425 I truly believe that God brings us what and who we need, exactly when we need those things. This little guy on the left, is Austin's twin. They are (almost) the same height, they're both 5th graders, they both wear similar glasses, they both have dyslexia, they both struggle in school, they both enjoy video games and riding scooters, they both hate seafood. They both feel like my sons. ❤️❤️⠀ ⠀ This friendship (plus the relationship with this little guy's mom and other family members) has been the biggest blessing in our lives over the past year.⠀ ⠀ I was praying for strength, praying for Austin's friendship (after being bullied when he was younger), I was praying for an easy transition into our new house, new school + new life in San Diego — and truly, God gave me (and us) more than we asked for.⠀ ⠀ Sometimes when we focus more on where we are, rather than what we've lost, we'll see that He's preparing us for a whole mess of new, unexpected miracles.⠀ ⠀ _______
Instagram post 2164908304283035662_13447781425 In this house, love is not contingent on behavior.⠀ ⠀ In this house, love is not conditional.⠀ ⠀ In this house, mistakes do not lower your value.⠀ ⠀ In this house, we know that arguments do not devalue a relationship.⠀ ⠀ In this house, no matter how angry we get, we say "I love you," every morning, every night, at the end of every phone call, and every time we leave. ❤️⠀ ⠀ _______
Instagram post 2162811184663217847_13447781425 Any other mamas & dads have this problem? Where you literally do all that you possibly can to prepare your child: buy the new pack of pencils, individually sharpen each of them, set them out by their backpack... and yet they somehow still forget?! 🙈🙈🙈⠀ ⠀ Patience, patience, patience.⠀ ⠀ That's what I've learned as a #bonusmom probably more than anything else. ⠀ ⠀ I've learned that yes, I can do whatever I possibly can, but that doesn't guarantee things will happen as I hoped or planned. I've learned that dyslexia causes disorganization and sometimes mistakes aren't purposeful. I've learned that teaching accountability is better than being a direct facilitator of it because otherwise kids won't learn. I've learned that perfection isn't real, and shouldn't be the goal. And I've learned to not sweat the small stuff as much (even if it bothers the HECK out of me).⠀ ⠀ Anyone else relate? #momthings
Instagram post 2160648629094133353_13447781425 This is for every mama who feels like she's not enough:⠀ ⠀ I just want to remind you that YOU'RE NOT A BAD MOM. Even if it feels like you're failing. Even if your life doesn't look 'perfect' on the outside. Even if you're tired.⠀ ⠀ You've got this.
Instagram post 2159875790925578359_13447781425 I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I've grown up holding hands, wiping noses (and butts!), kissing cheeks, and teaching little ones that aren't my own.⠀ ⠀ Ten years of nannying has taught me resilience, patience, gentleness, kindness, and self-love.⠀ ⠀ I've witnessed moments of growth and pain. I've been there for monumental occasions, from divorces to school concerts. I've listened to hearts being poured out. I showed up for things when parents couldn't.⠀ ⠀ But it's funny.⠀ ⠀ I feel like these kids have had a greater impact on me.
Instagram post 2158957172910050668_13447781425 Happy Sunday! ⠀ ⠀ I don't know about you, ⠀ but I've never related to something more 😭😂
Instagram post 2156272945764735457_13447781425 My sweet, sweet friend is expecting her baby next month. What a crazy, exciting time that I get to witness and be a part of. When searching for the perfect gift, I went back and forth, but ultimately these @SmartyPants vitamins are everything a new mama could ask for ❤️ ⠀ ⠀ These #prenatalvitamins are fully vegan, non-GMO, free of all allergens (milk, fish, eggs, soy, wheat, peanut, shellfish, and tree), and contains no synthetics or artificial flavors.⠀ ⠀ Each vitamin is packed with Omega-3 DHA for brain health, Vitamin D3 for immunity (mama and baby), Zeaxanthin for eye health, and Folate for fetal development.⠀ ⠀ It's the perfect gift for someone who just wants to give their future little one the best possible set up.⠀ ⠀ Ugh, help! I'm having baby fever! 👶⠀ ⠀ _____
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DAILY MOTHERHOOD QUOTE:

"I thought I knew all the boundaries of myself, that I understood the limits of my heart. It’s extraordinary to have all those limits thrown out, to realize your love is inexhaustible."

Uma Thurman
happy kid smiling between parents

NAVIGATING SPECIAL NEEDS:

7 Encouraging Affirmations For The Parent Of A Special Needs ChildIf you haven’t heard this today or ever—I believe in you. You can do...May 3, 2019

Loving & Raising A Child With Special NeedsThis is our journey: I hope you laugh with me, smile with me, and...March 4, 2019

9 Natural Remedies For ADDWhether you’re curious about our story, interested in alternatives for your own child(ren), or...January 4, 2019

SAN DIEGO, TRAVEL + LIFESTYLE:

must-see San Diego Halloween haunts
San Diego

Mom’s Night Out: 3 Must-See San Diego Halloween Haunts

The Disturbance, a three-part scare, is definitely one of the must-see San Diego Halloween haunts for your next mom’s night out.

October 25, 2019
happy girl holding younger child by palm trees
Mom Hacks, San Diego, Travel

Mama On A Budget: 12 Ways To Save Money In The City

If you’re looking to get the max out of your time while being conservative with your wallet, here are 12 tips to help you save money in the city.

July 2, 2019
mom posing in front of all-natural eczema products by Keller Works
Health/Wellness

4 All-Natural Eczema Products For Mamas And Their Little Ones

This mama, beauty boss, and founder of Keller Works, Krystn Keller, created organic, non-toxic, all-natural eczema products to soothe her son's severe skin.

May 7, 2019
kid swinging upside-down on playground
San Diego

8 Best Playgrounds In San Diego

From setting up a picnic lunch, to playing a pickup game of soccer, to watching the sunset from the monkey bars, here are the best playgrounds in San Diego.

April 30, 2019
woman with face mask on staring at camera
Health/Wellness, Mom Hacks

The Lazy Mom’s Guide To Healthy, Effortless Skincare

Regardless of what you currently do or don’t do for your skin, here’s the lazy mom’s guide to skincare (without all the hassle and overpriced products).

April 29, 2019

“Little souls find their way to you, whether they're from your womb, or someone else's."

Sheryl Crow

ABOUT US:

We are a website, community, blog, and resource base for parents — both bio and bonus — to learn, grow, and celebrate the beautiful craziness of raising kids.

Click here to learn more.

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THE DIARY OF A BONUS MOM