My Momish Moments

THE DIARY OF A BONUS MOM

Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About The Site
    • About The Author
  • Blog
  • Topics
    • Lifestyle
    • Mom Hacks
    • Health/Wellness
    • Travel
    • Special Needs
    • San Diego
    • From The Heart
    • My Story
  • Resources
    • Advice Column
    • Special Needs Parents
    • Everything San Diego
    • For Travelers
  • Stories
    • Submit Your Story
    • Submission Information
  • Shop
  • Social
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • LinkedIn
  • Contact
Close Menu
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:

parent balancing child and remote work
May 1, 2023

Tips For Parents Balancing Remote Work

Remote work, especially for a parent, can be challenging! Here are some practical tips to help you become a...

by katiepierce2022
happy family creating a safe home
February 24, 2023

3 Simple Tips For Creating A Healthier Family Home

Whether you're a new parent or been doing this dance for many years, here are a few simple tips...

by Marisa Donnelly
happy mom and child playing together
January 29, 2023

6 Tips For Creating A Safe & Carefree Home

It can be hard to create a safe and carefree home, but with just a few simple changes and...

by Cali Anderson
child learning to take responsibility and do chores
January 26, 2023

5 Simple Ways To Teach Responsibility

Whether you're a new or veteran parent, here are some simple suggestions for how to teach responsibility to your...

by Marisa Donnelly

See More:

FROM THE HEART:

happy father with his child

How To Find Meaning And Purpose In Parenthood

by Cali Anderson

Whether you're a new parent or been through this journey for many years, here are some tips for finding meaning and purpose in parenthood.

March 2, 2023
From The Heart
family putting up a Christmas tree together

The Gift of Presence Over Presents

by jamibrouillette

Presence over presents: Let’s gift our presence—our undivided time, our full attention, and our love—to our friends and family.

December 1, 2022
From The Heart, Holidays
Marisa Donnelly & son reading, Momish Moments

4 Ways To Help Your Child Cope With Big Life Changes

by Marisa Donnelly

There are many ways to help your child cope with big life changes, but everything starts with empathy. Meet your child where he/she is.

November 29, 2022
From The Heart, Health/Wellness
My Bonus Mom Story

Follow Our Journey:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Medium
  • Amazon
  • Pinterest

SEARCH OUR SITE:

Our Unfiltered Life:

She might look like she's just making lunches, but She might look like she's just making lunches, but she's actually. . . Thinking, planning, organizing, recalling, remembering, and taking mental notes of what to do next. 😅 This is a reminder that the mental load is REAL, it's behind-the-scenes, it's hidden, & it's often carried by one partner more than the other. If this resonates, know you're not alone. 💕 If this doesn't resonate, then you have some work to do! Check in on your partner today. #mentalload #momishmoments
When I first started my #stepmom journey, I wanted When I first started my #stepmom journey, I wanted to be so many things. I wanted to be the 'Fun Mom,' the 'Adventure Mom,' the 'Loving Mom,' the 'Present Mom'. . . and if I'm being honest with myself, the 'Perfect Mom.' But as I've grown and realized the unrealistic expectations I put on myself AND how incredibly valuable (for all of us) when I'm just myself. . . I've learned that all I really want to be is 'home.' I want to BE the safe space, HAVE the safe space & CURATE the safe space. That's what really matters. 💕
Can someone explain this to me??! 🤔 Why do we Can someone explain this to me??! 🤔 Why do we crave our alone time and get excited for the moments our kid(s) & partners leave. . . only to spend the entire time apart from them wishing they were here?!? 🙈😂 Parenting irony for sure. . . . #parenthumor #parentinghumor #stepmomhumor #stepmama #missingyourkids #grassisgreener #grassisgreenerwhereyouwaterit #momtruths #honestmama #honestmotherhood #momhumor
Love this quote because it's a powerful reminder o Love this quote because it's a powerful reminder of the presence of fatherhood. As a stepmama, being able to join in the journey of parenting alongside my man has been the biggest blessing. 🥰 #happyfathersday
Reminder for the #stepmama on Mother's Day. 💕 Reminder for the #stepmama on Mother's Day. 💕
My motherhood story is nothing like how I imagined My motherhood story is nothing like how I imagined becoming a mom would be. . . yet, it's been my greatest, craziest, and most wonderful adventure. And I wouldn't change it for the world. 💗 #momishmoments
One of the hardest parts about being a stepmom is One of the hardest parts about being a stepmom is fighting through my own trauma, insecurities, fears, and pain-points to try to keep them from becoming part of my son's identity. I want, so deeply, to be a good mom and to love my son unconditionally, fully, and perfectly, but sometimes that's not easy (and not even realistic).⁣ ⁣ Being a stepmom is hard, and even harder because I don't always feel like I was 'ready' to jump into motherhood when it happened. In a perfect world, I would have read more books, done more research, and really worked on myself before stepping into my son's life. But that wasn't my story. And even though it's been 'harder' in a lot of ways, I'm thankful because I've learned — we've learned — together.⁣ ⁣ So much of life + relationships, I've realized, is recognizing where we've been hurt or where we've hurt others, and putting in the work to move through/out of that and into healing. I'm not fully healed (are any of us?!) but the most important thing I've learned (and am continually working on) is making sure that my pain doesn't become a part of my son's story.⁣ ⁣ I won't always say or do things right. But my hope is to love, to be humble, to apologize when I'm wrong, to keep going, and to be the best version of myself — for him and for our family — the family we've created. ❤️ #momishmoments
Don't be afraid to love fiercely, explore fervent Don't be afraid to love fiercely, explore fervently, live boldly, & enjoy the journey along the way. ❤️
Sometimes the little things mean the most. ❤️ Sometimes the little things mean the most. ❤️ Soaking up this special holiday and all the lovey vibes. Valentine's Day has always been different in my motherhood journey because suddenly it wasn't a time for just celebrating romantic love. . . it was about celebrating what it means to be a family. I don't have just one valentine, I have two! (& 'Steeds' the dog) 😂 🐕 #happyvalentinesday #stepmomsofinstagram #thelittlethings #momishmoments
I stumbled across this image in my camera feed and I stumbled across this image in my camera feed and chuckled. There are so many layers to this picture. When I look at this picture, I'm reminded of the chaos and craziness of 2021. I see the calendar that I only part-way finished, the haphazard way this area of our home became a 'docking station of random items, and how that's such a representation of life, parenting, and family. When I look at this picture, I see the vacuum we bought that became the dreaded chore in our house. I see the dog toy that became the means of transitioning our skittish shelter pup into the family. I see the coats that always built up on these hangers and weighed things down so much that, despite my constant warnings, ended up breaking this rack a time or two. 😂 When I look at this picture, I see the first little house that we lived in — the cream, white, and turquoise walls, and the tiny kitchen where we danced around one another, made memories, and became a real family. When I look at this picture, I have bittersweet feelings about a time period in our lives that was so weird, and pure, and special. . . and now we're living and growing somewhere else, making new memories. It's funny how quickly life shifts, changes, and becomes new. I don't know, really, what I'm trying to say other than hold the little moments close, hold your people close, and take lots of pictures. Life really does move so fast. 💔 #momishmoments #unfilteredmotherhood #littlemoments
A reminder I can't get enough of. You can raise y A reminder I can't get enough of. You can raise your child to be the absolute best, you can do all the 'right' things, you can purchase all the organic foods and enroll him/her in the best classes with the best teachers. You can spend all your time, and money, and effort striving to be the best parent you can be, and that doesn't guarantee that everything will work out perfectly. Your child will still make mistakes, fall down, get hurt, choose different paths, and maybe even stray far from the plans you intended for them. . . but that doesn't mean they failed. + it doesn't mean you failed. You are an amazing parent - regardless of your child's perceived 'success.' So, stop trying to measure your child by a metric of 'value' in your own mind (or society's, or the world, for that matter). Success is not a singular, linear path. And just because your child isn't 'measuring up' doesn't mean that you are not a good parent. #momishmoments #honestmotherhood #unfilteredmotherhood
I'm sure other mothers feel this way, but there ar I'm sure other mothers feel this way, but there are moments when I see my (step)son and his father next to each other and my heart just squeezes in my chest. 💞⁣ ⁣ It's such a weird and unique feeling, especially for me, because I'm not the biological mother. Because this child is not, *technically speaking,* mine. Because these two people are not related to me by bonds of blood and DNA. ⁣ ⁣ So, sometimes it feels strange — and at the same time, so incredibly wonderful — to feel this deep-seeded emotional bond to the both of them. ⁣ ⁣ To look at them and realize that despite the lack of *biology,* they are my family. The family we built. The family we created through laughter, and vulnerability, and sweat, and tears. ⁣ ⁣ The family I chose, and who chose me.⁣ ⁣ & Maybe I'll never be the *real* mom. ⁣ Maybe my son will never look like me.⁣ Maybe I'll never be the first wife of my soon-to-be-husband.⁣ ⁣ But maybe none of that really matters in the end.⁣ We're still a family — a real family — the family we chose.⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #momishmoments⁣ #blendedfamily⁣ #familyichose ⁣ #stepbystepparents
Load More...

Subscribe to Blog via Email:

Want parenting thoughts, fails, triumphs, lifestyle stories, ideas, candid advice, and a whole lot of vulnerability?

Add your info and you can get posts sent directly to your email!

Join 1,734 other subscribers

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:

5 Ways To Support A Loved One With A DisabilityOne of the best ways you can support a loved one with a disability...December 9, 2022

Sensory-Friendly Birthday Party IdeasHere are some tips for throwing a sensory-friendly birthday party to avoid overwhelming the...October 10, 2022

Benefits And Challenges Of A Special Needs Foster Care AdoptionAdoptions are beautiful and challenging, especially when it comes to special needs foster care...August 11, 2022

SAN DIEGO, TRAVEL + LIFESTYLE:

happy child eating food
Health/Wellness

How To Raise Healthy Children (In This Crazy World)

This is how you raise healthy children: Just try to be the best parent you can be; your kids will inevitably benefit.

January 7, 2023
family going on a family hiking trip
Lifestyle, Travel

Tips For Your Next Family Hiking Trip

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your next family hiking trip, with respect to all ages, levels, and safety concerns.

December 12, 2022
girl living off the grid
Lifestyle, Travel

How To Start Living ‘Off The Grid’

When it comes to 'living off the grid,' the idea is to simplify. Rather than being tethered to 'things,' you're choosing/curating your space.

December 5, 2022
girl with cotton candy
Health/Wellness

How To Lower Your Child’s Sugar Intake

It is possible to lower your child's sugar intake. But it's about gradually lowering it, rather than removing it completely.

December 5, 2022
Marisa Donnelly & son reading, Momish Moments
From The Heart, Health/Wellness

4 Ways To Help Your Child Cope With Big Life Changes

There are many ways to help your child cope with big life changes, but everything starts with empathy. Meet your child where he/she is.

November 29, 2022

“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.

CATEGORIES:

  • Career
  • Education
  • From The Heart
  • Health/Wellness
  • Holidays
  • Home Improvement
  • Lifestyle
  • Mom Hacks
  • My Story
  • Parenting Stories
  • San Diego
  • Special Needs
  • Travel

TAGS:

  • Being A Bonus Parent
  • Mama’s Health & Wellness
  • ADD/ADHD Resources
  • Best Gifts For Moms
  • Motherhood Confessions

MORE INFO:

  • About Us
  • About Our Founder
  • Read Our Blog
  • Terms & Conditions
momish moments logo

THE DIARY OF A BONUS MOM