Thursday, March 3, 2011

Growing Spurts


Watching my children grow through the various milestones has been such a joy from infancy stage to this point. To see them all grow and change has been amazing an experience. My little people need me less and less, from feeding them breakfast to cleaning their rooms. I can say I am not challenged in letting them handle those areas of responsibility. I am watching my daughter need me in other ways, she is 8 years old and the need to be affirmed and encouraged has become my focus.

We are now doing a book together called The Care of Keeping You it’s a book by American Girls, it breaks down the body and caring for her body through the various stages of a girl. I don't know about you but certain things were taboo growing up and this generation you must be straight forward and honest with them. Moment of clarity, as we go through this year there will be a need for many tough conversations i.e. sex, drugs and the affection of boys.  Why?  Glad you asked because if we don’t teach our children I promise someone else will. I am taking the time to spend with her to insure she understands God's way and what his word says about who she is.

I can say that the process is going well, but I will keep you posted through the various stages that we experience together. My hope is this will invoke mothers around the globe to take time and teach your children about their bodies and various stages in life.

Guess what? I’m not a Cookie Cutter Mom and that's OK!

Till tomorrow- Deborah Anthony

Mommy Fast Track is a place where mothers can share their various daily experiences. It provides Mothers an opportunity to vent and encourage other mothers about what you have experienced being a Mom. Feel free to send me a post for tomorrow at mommyfasttrack@gmail.com   or leave a comment below.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Balancing Act

Every day I rise to the occasion of being a Mommy. It can sometimes feel like a mundane task to ensure the care of my children. I realize that when I feel like that, I need to take a moment and say ok it’s not  there fault I have stretched myself to thin.

There are times I ask God why did you give Mothers the ability to multi-task. It can be the best thing ever or sometimes become hazardous to your health or constant mode of operation if not careful.  It caused me to  realize I must implement balance in all things especially caring for my family. Today, I am taking a moment to re-think what the priorities are and say first things first. I know that everything feels so important, but I heard a preacher say let the main thing be the main thing. Which simply put, everything is not number one on the list  but let what is most important become the main thing. (Sorry if you don’t get it!)

So for me, I will reprioritize what needs to be first and what must fall off the list of things to do. I encourage you to do the same make sure that you are not juggling so well that all the balls begin to fall. I am praying today for balance in all areas of my life that I may not loose site of the most important things in my life.

Guess what? I’m not a Cookie Cutter Mom and that's OK!

Till tomorrow- Deborah Anthony

Mommy Fast Track is a place where mothers can share their various daily experiences. It provides Mothers an opportunity to vent and encourage other mothers about what you have experienced being a Mom. Feel free to send me a post for tomorrow at mommyfasttrack@gmail.com   or leave a comment below.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Things Are Not Always What They Seem!


There are times in our lives when we are faced with many ups and downs. It can sometimes appear that things are one way, depending on the lens that you are looking out of.  It has forced me to take a moment, step back and allow time to bring clarity and direction for what the next step needs to be. How can you apply this to your family or children?
It was not until I had children of my own that I began to understand the heart ache that I might have caused my parents.  When I did not like the way my children responded to me or said something that caused me to pause. I wanted to call my Mom and say, “WOW, If I was like this as a child, I am so sorry.”  Not that I have horrible children but, as we all know children can sometimes have a way with words to shock the system.
Today, I honor my parents for making sure that they gave me the tools to become who I am today. Even though when I was younger my view was skewed, I realize today that things are not as they seemed. Today, I thank God for maturity and growth because it enables me to see what was always there all along.  My parents really did know what was best for me despite my inability to only see a glimpse of my future. I applaud my Mom especially for loving and nurturing me to a place of health and maturity.
Guess what? I’m not a Cookie Cutter Mom and that's OK!

Till tomorrow- Deborah Anthony

Mommy Fast Track is a place where mothers can share their various daily experiences. It provides Mothers an opportunity to vent and encourage other mothers about what you have experienced being a Mom. Feel free to send me a post for tomorrow at mommyfasttrack@gmail.com   or leave a comment below.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Enjoying the Journey !

Have you ever been on a long road trip and your anxiety began to get the best of you.  At first, you are excited about going on this trip, but half way there you realize that you just want to speed up time!
In the past, I was in a rush for my children to grow up. Instead of enjoying each stage they went through, I grew impatient with them, and longed for the day that they could fend for themselves. Well, I am learning that my children are not a road trip I am taking, and their lives only pass by once.

It’s more than a few hours on the road until the next stop, and each moment in their lives will pass you up just as quickly as the mile marker does. I couldn’t wait for my kids to be able to walk, talk, and even start on chores, (although I’m happy that they are capable of doing chores now) I often think to myself, please slow down, you are growing too fast and making decisions on your own!
I encourage mother's to SLOOOOOWW DOOWN. Memories are being created everyday, so slow down to enjoy them. It's easy to get consumed with our lives and  overlook precious moments  if we are not careful.  I have learned to embrace my children and savor the moment these past few years.  Now I can look forward to creating memories with them that will last a lifetime.
Guess what I’m not a Cookie Cutter Mom and that's OK!
Till tomorrow- Deborah Anthony
Mommy Fast Track is a place where mothers can share their various daily experiences. It provides Mothers an opportunity to vent and encourage other mothers about what you have experienced being a Mom. Feel free to send me a post for tomorrow at mommyfasttrack@gmail.com   or leave a comment below.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Do I Teach? ... Do I Discipline?

On yesterday, I had to talk with my son about a difficult matter. I had to really pause and not respond to him the way my emotions initially wanted me to. I paused and took a deep breath and I asked myself, is this a teaching moment or a discipline moment. I realized that the behavior he displayed was something he either saw or watched.  I had to take time to think did I really teach him and give him a clear understanding of what wrong looks like and what the right behavior should be.
This may sound so simple to do for some of you, but for me it was a choice that I had to make to get out of his face and into his heart. I had to applaud my reaction because it took much grace for me to not give him what he had coming.
So what am I saying?  In my opinion it’s hard to discipline what you have not taught; it’s easy to lose it on your children because you have high expectations for them. It takes more time to love and nurture them to a place of understanding.
Moms please be encouraged we all have had a knee jerk reactions to our children and the first response is not always the correct one. I recommend that you ask the Lord for guidance in every situation, Do I teach? ... Do I Discipline?  
Guess what I’m not a Cookie Cutter Mom and that's OK!
Till tomorrow- Deborah Anthony
Mommy Fast Track is a place where mothers can share their various daily experiences. It provides Mothers an opportunity to vent and encourage other mothers about what you have experienced being a Mom. Feel free to send me a post for tomorrow at mommyfasttrack@gmail.com   or leave a comment below.

Monday, February 21, 2011

The Mommy Call

Mommy Fast Track is designed to encourage and uplift today’s Mother. Join us in reflecting, venting and enjoying the life being a mother. I think you will agree that being a Mom is the biggest career in the world that is both under-estimated and under-paid!  A mother can be defined as “A female person who is pregnant with or gives birth to a child; A woman who adopts a child; A woman who raises a child.”

That definition gives only a minimal description of the physical aspect of being a Mom and not even a clue to what a mommy does in our world today. I can share from my own experience and tell you that it is more than a woman giving birth and more than an adoption. I will have to say it is a calling that cannot be taken lightly. It is a responsibility to shape and create the very nature of a child, and to instill in them values and morals, dreams and aspirations. I will never forget hearing someone say children are so impressionable, they sit and watch life like a movie. Whatever they see, is the impression that is left in their lives.

Mommy Fast Track is a personal look into the lives of mothers across the world to better understand both the triumphs and the defeats we share in being a Mommy.  I was a young woman who joined corporate America at an early age and really never looked at being a Mom as a popular job. I actually despised the look of it. All I could picture was the “Leave It To Beaver” mom.   I made a decision early on, that this wasn’t for me.

In my mind, I could see an image of someone who lived a life that was boring, and did not understand that she was caring for her family’s needs. What a privilege that was!   I want to encourage both the Corporate-America-Mom and the Stay-at-Home mom. Everything we do in life needs to have balance.  We need to make sure that nothing is lacking or suffering in our lives as we satisfy our various roles. That was my story for many years.  I wanted it all. Even though being a high achiever in itself is not a bad thing, it can become a conflict when you choose to focus on the career, and neglect the family. For over 11 years, I worked for a major corporate company. During those 11 years I got married to the man of my dreams, had 3 beautiful children, purchased 4 houses, completed my MBA, got several promotions, and founded a organization for girls.
Sounds really impressive, but there was one important thing missing – balance! It became increasingly difficult to give my children the necessary attention to assist in their developmental years. I was so focused on conquering the world outside; I overlooked the world in my own home, which was my first calling.
In short, although most of us have to work at one time or another in today’s economy, and many of us will continue our education to obtain the kind of job we need to provide for our families, we still need to prioritize.  But what I am saying to you, and reminding myself of, is that life is very short. You only have one chance to make an impact and positive impression on your children’s lives. Make sure that you understand your first call in life is to love, nurture, cultivate, and provide guidance to that child. Make sure you are not sacrificing your child for the sake of life’s demand and obligations.

Every day we are given a new chance to start over, let today be that day!
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