#thismom

Pandemic parenting is hard. Moms and dads, cut yourselves some slack this week. There’s nothing normal about our current existence. Parenting sensitive children during a pandemic is extremely difficult. Our children are experiencing fears and anxiety and you may be feeling helpless. I know that I am. One of my kids brought me to tears three times just yesterday. Folks, I’m not a cryer but the tears flowed as my child shared that she’s scared that her papi will get Covid19 at work, or that I may get it and she’d have to grow up without a mami. She broke me. I urge you to worry less about the to do list and the uncontrollable things in your life. Pause, hug and reassure your child(ren). My children remind me that they need to hear me say “I love you” daily. I won’t lie to my kiddos. It hurts my heart to have to tell them the truth. No parent ever wants to feel like the can’t protect their child. So I hold them, I love them and we pray! That’s where we are today! #parenting #familylife #thismom #pandemicparenting #fear #love #hope 
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What kind of momma let’s another clean her kids face. #thismom does and actually I don’t think I could survive without my other mother’s. Lol #thanks #for #cleaningmykid s #face lol #community #greekorthodox (at Ogden Greek Festival) https://www.instagram.com/p/B28DygRhbP4/?igshid=1k0jaew3vooom

Confession time: I always have an amazing Mother’s Day! Why? I have realistic expectations. Today has gone in typically Familia Mendes fashion: organized chaos! Our day started with hubby having to run to the store Bc one of our kids forgot to pack bottoms. Then, before lunch we’ve dealt with tears from several of our kids because they are kids and are truly exhausted from a full day at a tkd tournament yesterday. We had plans to hike in Newport, but it was freezing and rainy so instead we drove to show the kids our wedding reception location and had wieners (one of my hubby’s favorite). Motherhood is about sacrifice. I choose to embrace the chaos and count my blessings, rather than focus on the trials. Also, coffee and key lime pie help. #choosejoy #parenting #thismom #findingjoy #intentionalliving #mothersday #ri (at The Red Parrot Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxYCfP1B_bl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18g2knzasbnng

Kids are amazing! It’s been busy Monday during our most hectic season and on the way home from a doctor’s appointment my youngest said: “mami, the sun is out so let’s have a picnic lunch.” I was tempted to say: “no, I have too much to do today, but decided that the sun was finally out in CT and we could benefit from some vitamin D. Now, we’re sitting outside eating, listening to birds chirping, the wind chime ringing and pausing to take deep breaths. The to do list and calls that I need to make will be there, but this moment is good for my soul. As Mother’s Day approaches, I will continue to share these “little” moments to encourage my fellow parents. Check out my bio with a recent blog post geared toward my fellow imperfect moms. #thismom #findingjoy #makingmemories #raisingkids #takeadeepbreath #mothersday #justbe #encouragement (at Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxIbQQdlleN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1gxed3vhd25na

Mother’s Day through the years recap continues… I’m almost never in pictures, as I’m the biggest mami paparazzi and tend to be the one taking the pictures. I document the heck out of life with my kiddos, because I truly don’t take a single minute of the chaos for granted. That means that I’m rarely in pictures except on Mother’s Day. Every May, my husband makes me get in the pictures with the kids. In many of these pictures, I’m sleep deprevied and exhausted, yet I treasure those memories. If you’re a mom of young kids and tend to always be the one behind the camera, let me encourage you as Mother’s Day approaches to document the chaos. It really does go by quickly. As the saying goes: “the days are long, but the years are short!” Don’t worry about how you look, just take those pictures with your kiddos. #familylife #parenting #mothersday #thismom #borrowedtime #makingmemories #momsinpictures #travelwithkids #adventure #kids #babywearing #largefamily #marriage #ri #bloggervibes #findingjoy (at Newport, Rhode Island)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw7aGyiFDFQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4asjyw014qmt About Ruth: I’m a wife and mami of 4 active and globe-trotting kiddos. I’ve always loved a good adventure and truly believe that it’s possible to travel with kids. Join me, as I share our adventures and inspire you to get out of the house with your kiddos. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a road trip or a trip of a lifetime to an exotic destination, I’ll share insights, trip reports and information that will inspire you. Check back often to stay up to date on things to do with kids at your next travel destination.

Sharing some #skiing throwback pictures on this snowy Monday morning in #connecticut. All of our Kids started skiing as soon as they could walk. It’s hard to believe that this particular trip to @mountsnow was from 7 years ago today. Time flies when you’ve got little ones. Make each moment count. I’m so glad that I’ve taken the kids skiing while pregnant and unable to ski, while wearing babies and toddlers and tag team skiing and while spending a full day in a snow plow on the learning hill. I treasure these memories. Does your family ski? What’s your favorite mountain? #borrowedtime #familytravel #thismom #family #skiing #vermont #familyskiing #skiingwithkids #skitheeast #newengland #vt #mountsnow #teachingkids #4kidstravel #representationmatters #blackskiers (at Mount Snow) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuB1t5_lByR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2jm8f80mbvcx

My weekend started at 6 am because kid 2 is excited to be heading to NYC to take part in a short film and set an alarm for 5:30 am, kid 1 is taking the SSATs and kid 3 has two dance classes. That’s just our schedule for this morning. My weekend use to be mine, now they’re filled with excitement and the activities of our 4 kids. I wouldn’t trade it... their passion, enthusiasm and excitement gives me life. We’re headed to Harlem tonight to catch with hubby and kid 2, as he’s filming today and tomorrow. Please share your favorite family friendly #harlem things to do. #thismom #parenting (at Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp_4Zgrl22k/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wiu6d1s92dy7

When your kid writes that he’s thankful for escargot 🐌 and himself and pins it on the dance studio thankful wall. Oy ve. A part of me was ready to lecture him about being humble and then another part of me thought, his confidence is contagious and does encourage the younger dancers. #blackboydancers #blackfamily #teachingmoments #thismom #raisingkids #thanksgiving #thankfulness (at Evjen Academy of Performing Arts) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp0TLiXFSe3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4h2c96beuksb