Blog

Sponsors are critical to the success of our organization.   Most of the interaction and communication with sponsors is done “behind the scenes” …so I wanted to take a moment to share with you how FWMoM’s sponsorship opportunities are structured and who is participating in our program.   

There are currently 3 different levels of sponsorship.  Each level is a set financial donation from the sponsor and comes with different “perks” that we provide back to the sponsors.   

Please know that sponsors (many times) come about after a suggestion from one of our members.   If you know of a business that you think would be interested or would possibly be a good partnership for us, please don’t hesitate to shoot me a note and I will reach out and try to make a connection.   I always appreciate suggestions and ideas……so hit me up. Fwmom.sponsor@gmail.com  

Below are the levels and the associated benefits for each level.  

SILVER LEVEL: $299

• Listed on our web-page and social media.
• Featured month as "Spotlight" on our website.
• Business Material at every meeting.
• Invite to our Annual Sponsor Appreciation Dinner. 

GOLD LEVEL: $499

• All the above AND opportunity to speak at our general club monthly meeting.
• Listed as sponsor in our welcome packets for new and prospective members. 

PLATINUM LEVEL $799

• All the above AND Sponsor logo displayed at events/exhibits/shows.
• Exclusive Naming Sponsor at one large FWMoM Events. 

I am so proud of the growth of this organization.  Three years ago we had SIX sponsors…..today, we have 21 (…and counting!)  They are CRITICAL to this organization, and it is an honor to work with them. 

Let me introduce you to our sponsors, by level.  

Additionally, I’d like to mention that many of our sponsors offer discounts to our members.   Check out the “members only” section of our website to learn about the ongoing discounts.  

PLATINUM LEVEL:  

• FORT WORTH FERTILITY

• LEGACY PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

• VERTICAL CHIROPRACTIC

• OBSTETRIX MEDICAL GROUP – DR TABOR

GOLD LEVEL: 

• iCare ER

• Enfamil 

• Dr Olvera – Cook Children Pediatrician 

• 127 Pediatrics – Traveling Pediatrician

• Killen & Dennis – Attorney

• Celeste Holbrook – Sex Therapist

• Stepahnie Norman – Realtor

• Amy Simpson – Counseling Services

SILVER LEVEL: 

• Integrative Pain & Wellness Center

• Newborn Nightingales – Night Training/Sleep Counseling

• Woerner Physical Therapy

• Kunkel Plastic Surgery

• Birth Fort Worth – Birthing Center

• Stephanie Renee Photography

• Shameless Tourist – Travel Agent 

• Beyond the Breast – Breastfeeding Consulting

• The Vacationeer – Travel Agent

DON’T FORGET THESE BUSINESSES….. they are TRULY essential to our organization.   We are incredibly lucky to have such a phenomenal (and varied) group of support/sponsors and we certainly wouldn’t be what we are without them!   

If you need any services listed above, I cannot encourage you enough to check out our sponsors first……you WON’T be disappointed.   Promise. 

Author: Beth Wangerin is a mom to a 5 year old boy, 3 year old twin girls, and a Bernedoodle puppy. She currently serves as the VP of Sponsorship & Fundraising for Fort Worth Mothers of Multiples.  

When our boy/girl twins were infants and toddlers, I don’t know how many times we got the strange question from people, “Are they identical?” Depending on who was asking and what mood I was in at the time, I could explain that boy girl twins are, with rare exception, not identical. When I was feeling especially saucy, I would answer with, “No, he has a penis and she has a vulva.”

Other parents of boy/girl multiples want to know how we addressed these differences with our twins. Every family is going to be different based on your personal level of comfort with the human body and modesty. We never made a big deal about nudity. They bathed and showered together until they were in grade school and were naked in front of each other on a regular basis probably until middle school. Now they are completely grossed out if they see their sibling nude, and that seems developmentally appropriate. We let them lead the way in determining what was comfortable for them. We never wanted them to feel that there was anything to be ashamed of about their bodies, but we also insisted they were covered appropriately in front of people who are not our immediate family of four.

In our family, Dad is a doctor and Mom, a biologist and teacher so to us, parts are parts. We always have named the body parts their actual anatomical names. It wasn’t until grade school that they started using other names for them that they learned from friends. To us though, boys have a penis and a scrotum with testicles. Girls have a vulva and breasts.

As my daughter turned 9, I started to be concerned about how early some girls were starting puberty. In my family, girls develop later, but in my husband’s family, girls develop early. I wanted to be prepared to talk with her about the changes some of her friends were experiencing and what she could expect in a way that felt natural and not at all scary or shameful. I spoke to moms from this group with older daughters and other friends with older daughters, and then decided to order The Care and Keeping of You 1: The Body Book for Younger Girls 1 . This book focuses on the changes your body goes through during puberty and does not address how babies are made. I intended to read through it myself, then sit with Savannah and read it together, answering any questions she may have. I also planned to order a book for my son on boys’ bodies and do something similar. My plan was then to swap the books so the kids would know what to expect would be going on with their sibling.

Apparently, I did not clue Dad in on this plan. I ordered the book, promptly forgot about it, and went on with life. A week or so later, I was working intently on the computer in my small home office preparing for a meeting of the school board, of which I was a member, when my daughter comes in and asks me a question about how developed her ‘boobs’ were on scale of 0-3. I thought it was strange and answered, “You don’t have boobs, but your breasts are exactly the size they should be for a girl your age. Mom is busy, let me finish up.” She then shoves the book in front of me that shows stages of breast development drawn in and demands I help her determine where she is on the scale. I was a little shocked and asked where she got the book. Apparently, Dad opened my Amazon package, saw the book said American Girl, and handed it to her without having any idea what it was. She had already read it from cover to cover and wanted to know if she would wear “tampoons” when she got her period. To say I felt wholly unprepared and blindsided was an understatement. The room shrunk to about 2 feet square. The temperature rose about 200 degrees. I started to sweat and to stammer. This was NOT how I had expected to have this conversation. I wanted to kill my husband, but that would have to wait because the next thing I knew my son walked in and said, “Are y’all talking about tampoooooooons?” I died. For real died. There should be a death certificate filed somewhere.

After my heart restarted, I took a deep breath. I asked them about reading the book. They both said they read it. I asked what they thought about it. My daughter loved it. My son thought it was good to know what girls would go through, and he was glad he was not a girl. I let them both flip through and show me things they thought were especially interesting or troubling for a few minutes. I then told them that not all families were ready to have these conversations and that they were not to share what they had learned with their friends. There is nothing to be ashamed of, but it’s important that Moms and Dads make sure children know the right things about their bodies and are able to answer questions if anything feels scary. Thank the good Lord, we did have to leave soon so we could make this a short introduction. Short and sweet is always best when having important talks with younger children. Letting them lead the conversation with their own questions is another way to reduce their anxiety, providing them a sense of agency in the matter.

Though I initially thought I had blown the whole thing, it was a blessing in disguise. Instead of some grand plan I put in place, this worked out to be just the right way for my two to be introduced to puberty. They are very high-level readers, and not easily perturbed. Some kids might need a gentler introduction like my original plan. You will know what is right for your kids. Not long after, I ordered the Body Book for Boys 2 which handles male puberty in a remarkably similar fashion as the American Girl book. I gave it first to my son, then he passed it on to his sister. They asked me questions separately, then we talked together. We kept both books for several years and referenced them as needed.

We want to raise children to feel like all the functions of your body’s reproductive system are just as natural and normal as any other part of your body. We do not want our daughter to feel shame when she has her menstrual period, and we want our son to be the kind of boy who would go to the nurse and get a pad or tampon for a girl who needed one. We want him to buy feminine products at the store for his wife and help her in the hospital when she has a baby without being weirded out. So far, it seems they are both fairly comfortable talking about body stuff. My daughter, more than her brother, but he is not at all bothered by it. And us girls still jokingly call tampons, “tampoooons.”

Schaefer, Valorie, and Masse, Josee, The Care and Keeping of You: The Bod Book for Younger Girls, American Girl, 2012.

Paley, Rebecca, Norwich, Grace, and Mar, Jonathan, The Body Book for Boys, Scholastic Paperbacks, 2010.

Linda Kennedy is a former teacher who is passionate about children and learning with a special love for kids in middle and high school, a community volunteer and wife of 25 years to Shane, mom to twins Shane and Savannah.

Y’all, so I realllyyyy wanted to do this 3 step process to get the twins potty trained as fast as I could, but honey, having twins is a monster when it comes to potty training, along with actually being present with everything else God has called you to steward.

But I’ve realized that what works for everyone may not work for my family. I’ve also learned that motherhood is not a race. Motherhood isn’t an opportunity to perform and dress your babies in this facade that you have it “all together”.

Using your children in that way is sooo unfair to them because to you, they’re just a puppet in your show that you use to prove that you're good enough.

My advice: Some say that babies can potty train in a weekend, or in one day or in 30 minutes. But just like motherhood, I’m taking this thing one day at a time. It’s not a rush, and we can set the pace however we want it to go. Not based on what everyone is doing, but based on the grace that God has given us. And I’m okay with it.

I’m not ashamed to be at my own pace and you shouldn’t be either, mama. Don’t compare your mothering with someone else's. How they mom is different than how you mom and that’s okay. Set your own pace, do what works for your family, and rest in God’s grace, knowing that you are more than good enough.

P.S. If God wanted someone else to be your children's mom He would have chosen them, but instead He chose you. Prayers & Hugs

Author: Taylor Simon: I’m a wife, mom of miracle twins, Speaker, Author, YouTuber, and Entrepreneur. I am obsessed with Jesus and passionate about faith and biz, dreams, journals, popcorn, and helping you maximize your potential in every area of your life!

There has been an interesting phenomenon going on recently with the COVID-19 situation and it’s got me thinking. It’s trendy right now to recognize first responders and “front-line” healthcare workers as modern-day heroes. Crowds of people cheering outside hospitals, social media memes, entire communities sending food, drinks, goodie bags to nursing units all over America. As a nurse myself, I have yet to work a shift that I haven’t received something as a free gift or been applauded as I’ve left by strangers holding signs reading “Thank you to our super heroes.” We collectively are so grateful for the kindness and gifts, and I am most definitely going to gain some pandemic weight, however it all is a bit unsettling. Me, a Hero?

I would never call myself a hero for doing exactly what I’ve been trained to do. The hero award DOES go to the medical teams in places like New York doing their very best in the very worst of situations. They are, without a doubt, heroes in my book! Give them all the credit, they are in a battle unimaginable to most and feared by many in this country. But little ole me, with all the PPE I could ask for, supportive managers, and ample staffing grids, performing care with the risks of exposure mitigated... I have a hard time seeing that label fit. I have cared for critically ill, highly infectious patients for 12 years; COVID-19 is just the newest punk on the block. Heroic, that’s hard to swallow.

In my thoughts, however, I began to see a parallel. I heard a quote that said “a hero is someone who responds when others are unable or unwilling to do so.” As a mother of multiples how often do we hear the phrase, “I could never do what you’re doing!” or, “You’re such a supermom.” Truly in the mom stratosphere, a title unchosen by us but always applied, is that of the super-hero mom. Many people cannot fathom more than one baby at a time, more than one toddler at a time, and survive! We hear it and know they too would, of course, rise to the occasion if multiples dropped into their world. But many mothers out there see you (ok, maybe not the mom of 12) as the epitome of what they desire to be. You are a hero in their eyes. And perhaps that’s what the general population has awakened to, things medical staff face daily. I'm not sure... but for both, in someone's eyes, a heroine is found.

On an average day, mothering our crews may not seem that heroic: washing dishes, refereeing disputes, putting in the 14th load of laundry, wiping away tears, holding little hands, wiping poop off the walls (just me?)... all in a normal day. We strive to instill things like integrity, servanthood, compassion, identity, and spiritual teachings, but we certainly do not see ourselves as heroes. It’s not all mundane. At times we must choose to love in the face of defiance, teach despite rebellious attitudes, guide lagging steps, and encourage discouraged hearts. Yet even in those moments we would not call ourselves heroes. We do the work of motherhood not for any award or title, but because it’s woven into the very fiber of who we are. We are a nurturer, comforter, guide, and yes, a rescuer. To those little eyes looking up at you, you are, in fact, a hero.

Andy Stanely said, “Your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you raise.” Think about it for a moment. As much of a struggle life with littles can be, you are heroic in the eyes of your children. A simple word of encouragement to not give up, to make the right but hard choice, a silent moment with a hug during heartbreak may not make the news cycle, but it will for your kids. Famous people like George Washington, Noah Webster, and Theodore Roosevelt all performed great exploits that are forever recorded in history. Each one started as a small child who needed to be encouraged to take their first step, nursed back to health, needed their questions about life answered, their gifting's cultivated, their faith nourished. You know who did it for them; their hero, their mother. Who’s to say that the character they needed in the defining moments of their life is not a direct result of their mother’s care?

I’ve said many times, you can’t pour out what you don’t have in you. If that is the case, then the spirit of heroism is already residing in you! In fact, I did some searching into characteristics of heroes, and not just some anecdotal lists, but tried and true, research-based evidence of what makes up a hero (yes, I fully identify as a nerd, and I’ll link my source here). This is a list of traits I see radiating in each of you... yes you... the mother of your crew.

• Researchers found that people who engage in one-time acts of bravery are not necessarily that much different from other non-hero types. By contrast, those who engage in lifelong heroism share a number of personality traits like empathy, nurturance, and a need to live by a moral code.
• Heroism is defined by actions that are done in the service of others who are in need, whether it is for an individual or a group. These actions are performed voluntarily.
• These individuals recognize the potential risk or sacrifice they are making, and willingly accept and anticipate the sacrifice.
• Heroic individuals engage in these actions without any expectation of reward or external gain, only to benefit those whom they serve.
• One study gathered traits that make up heroism; here are a few: conviction, courage, self-sacrifice, selflessness, determination, helpfulness, and protectiveness.
• Heroes live by their set of values, and are willing to endure personal risk for protecting those values.
• Heroes tend to have above-average coping skills and abilities to manage stress.
• Researchers found heroic individuals were more likely to put a positive spin on a negative situation, and focus more on the good that might come out of the situation.
• Heroic individuals tend to possess an ability to overcome fear, and have a higher tolerance for risk. HA!!! #fearlesslifeystyle

Change the word hero to mother, and the validity of these facts remains true! To your children, to others around you, and even though you would never choose it for yourself, you are a hero. Hold those little hands tightly and teach them how to be what you are. Teach them that a hero isn’t always in a cape, or rushing into a burning building. Pour the best of you into them. You’re a hero. Someday those who call you mom will do great exploits on the earth and touch many lives, perhaps save some... like the hero they were raised by.

“Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her saying: Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well (with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness) but you excel them all!”

-Proverbs 31:28-29

Author: Tonya Flowers is mother to 3 sons, Lucas who's 9, and twins Wyatt and Timothy who are 4. She is a nurse, and serves FWMoM as our Chaplain. 

About fifteen years ago I was given what I thought was the most devastating news I could have ever received. I was told that my father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Not only am I the baby of the family and the only girl, but I have always had a special relationship with my father. He was and will always be the toughest, smartest, most practical, no nonsense man I have ever known. My grandfather passed away from Parkinson’s disease almost 30 years ago so the thought of watching my tough-as-nails father deteriorate and weaken in the same manner was terribly upsetting and scary. Little did I know that another blow was about to come. About 3 years after my father was diagnosed, we began noticing changes in my mother. She was stressed in her job and had always suffered from some level of anxiety, but this was beginning to look a little more exaggerated than just regular stress. The fears that she would talk about with home and work were beginning to sound irrational and once while visiting us in Pittsburgh I awoke to her yelling out in her sleep. It wasn’t until talking later with her and my father about this observation that they told me she was having night terrors and of a few recent incidents of forgetfulness. They explained that twice when my mother was at the grocery store and it was time to pay for her groceries, she suddenly froze and couldn’t remember how to use the credit card machine. I was completely blown away. My mother was 64 years old, about to retire from her counseling career in the school system, and she was forgetting how to use a credit card machine. We were devastated and my mother was soon diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s dementia. How could this be?

As soon as I could digest the information I put on my occupational therapy hat and got to work assisting my parents with this journey. A few years later Justin and I moved back to Texas and found out the fantastic news that we were pregnant with twins. Our lives changed overnight. One thing became clear very quickly; that this Gen X’er was thrust into a new generation, the Sandwich Generation. The Sandwich Generation original construct refers to younger women in their thirties and forties who were taking care of their children, but also having to meet the needs of their aging parents. This was me. I wasn’t expecting to be in the space this soon, but here I am. We will all find ourselves here sooner or later (and for you I pray it is later), but it is never too early to start the conversation. I have not lived through all of the ages and stages of this process, but here is the advice that I can offer to those moving in this direction:

•  Maintain frequent contact. This may not be an issue for any of you, but regardless it’s worth saying. Not only do our parents give us their love and their sound advice on parenting and life but they also offer us a window into their daily routines and lifestyles. I don’t know about you, but when my folks retired and they started their new life with the kids grown, I was really able to see their likes and dislikes and new found interests. They wanted to travel more, socialize with friends, and relax. This, for me, was a wonderful time to witness but I was also able to notice the changes in both my parents prior to their diagnoses. I could see the amped-up anxiety turn to irrational fear in my mother and the physical changes in my father. They started slow but because I had begun to watch closely, I realized my parents’ changes over time, therefore my brothers and I asked the right questions and got them in to the doctor.

• Keep your parents up to date and teach them modern technology. Take it from me, there is nothing more frustrating than trying to explain to aging parents the step by step instructions of how to check their email, how to use their cell phones, or google anything in person, much less over the phone. My advice is to try and introduce things along the way as technology changes and encourage them to update accordingly so that they are and stay familiar. This day and age we are able to communicate in the most efficient and instantaneous ways. I know that we have all benefited with this during the Covid-19 situation. However, if people are not familiar with this technology, it serves no purpose. The devices are there for us to communicate so I encourage you to make it familiar to those in the previous generation. It’s difficult to catch them up later.

• Don’t be afraid or wait too long to have difficult conversations. We all feel like our children are growing up too quickly. People will always tell you “enjoy it while you can because before you know it they will be in kindergarten.” (Cue the eye roll) Well, I am here to tell you that that is stinking TRUE. Ugh! Just as fast as they are growing up, your parents are aging at the same rate. So take the time to talk with them about the hard subjects. You will be surprised at how easily the conversation will happen. Just bring it up. In a conversation my mother had with my youngest brother a few years ago she was able to state that she wanted to live in her own home until she was unaware that it is hers. Just writing this makes me teary. One reason is because I am not sure today that she could make that assertion as clearly, but the second is for a wonderful reason. We have worked as family to make this desire a reality for my mom in providing caregivers for them at home. We are all so thankful that this strong desire of my mother’s was made clear because my brother took a chance on having a difficult conversation.

• Involve your children with the appropriate amount of information. It is easy to shelter our children from information that you feel that they won’t understand or that you think might scare them, but they are more understanding and can adjust to change much better than you think. I never addressed the fact that my parents were sick with my girls, even when it was obvious. They were taking pills left and right and using walkers around the house. Instead of just telling them the truth I would shield them from it and I don’t really know why. Someday somebody smart will analyze this and explain it to me, but until then I will say keeping them in the dark is not worth it. Your kids see everything going on, they see the changes, and they deserve some explanation. The funny thing is that kids ultimately don’t care. My girls still crawl up in my parents’ laps, they listen intently as my mother reads them a story (even if it’s not exactly correct), and they cannot wait to go back for another visit.

• My final bit of advice is for you. Take care of yourself. You might find yourself in the role of a double duty caregiver (my made up term) one of these days. Just remember to give yourself some grace because you cannot do it all, you cannot see it all, and you cannot solve it all. Remember to forgive yourself when you get frustrated because first you are the daughter and that how daughters react sometimes to their parents – frustrated. That is okay. Trust professionals and don’t forget to take time for yourself.

I hope that this blog describes a situation that is far from your reality and that you aren’t in this Sandwich Generation anytime soon. In the meantime, you might benefit from these simple bits of wisdom, if not for you, for someone else.

Author Janae Huffman is a twin mom to Audrey and Eleanor, age 5. She is the VP of Special Events for FWMoM and an Occupational Therapy in Granbury now that her kids have entered into school.

I joined FWMoM in February 2015 when my twins were four months old. I showed up to a monthly general meeting, excited to meet other MoMs and clueless as to what this organization would have in store for me over the next few years. Five months later I was encouraged to take on the role of Vice President of Programs, co-chairing it with fellow MoM (and now one of my best friends) Janae. We had so much FUN during those two years – brainstorming and planning and cooking and setting up and cleaning up. It was a blast. After that term was up, it was onto VP of Special Events, then State and National Rep, Newsletter Editor, Playdate Coordinator along the way and Webmaster too! Over the years I’ve worn many hats with FWMoM. Below are just a few of my take-aways from my years of service to this organization.

• Friendships. This one is first on my list because it is the absolute most important and valuable thing I have gained. Over the years, the members of this group have become my absolute best friends and confidants. Being on the Board together creates a connection that you won’t get by standing on the sidelines. (pro tip: if you’re nervous about stepping into a leadership role, talk one of your FWMoM besties into doing it too.

• Leadership. After having my twins, I made the decision not to go back to work. Leaving the workforce also meant leaving behind opportunities for leadership. FWMoM gave me back that opportunity. I have gained leadership skills that have directly benefited me in other aspects of my life, and I know they will continue to serve me for years to come.

• Skills. Another aspect of myself that was “lost” when I stopped working was the opportunity for learning and personal development. With FWMoM, there have been so many opportunities to learn and grow. Event management, marketing, and website development are just a few of the skills that I gained through service to this organization. Heck, I even get to bust out some spreadsheets now and then!

• Connections. Connecting with community is just part of the job when you take on a leadership role with FWMoM. Meeting with the owner of Chimy’s to iron out the details of an event, negotiating an event space at CERA, or chatting with a potential sponsor – I’ve formed meaningful and lasting relationships throughout our community.

• Time management. I bring this one up not to tell you I’ve become great at time management. I mention it because it’s the first thing that comes to mind when considering a leadership role with FWMoM. Do I have time for this?! I’m not going to say yes (I don’t know what your schedule is after all). I will say having something to focus on besides feeding schedules and potty training saved my sanity on many occasions. Also, you’re not going to find a more understanding group of people than a group of MoMs!

Looking back on the last five years, I wouldn’t change anything about my time spent in a leadership role with FWMoM. I hope you’ll consider leaning in and serving!

Author: Tyler Wright is mom to four-year-old twins, Audrey and Juliette. She is a CPA, yoga instructor, Moms Group Coordinator and Public School Liason for her neighborhood association. She currently serves FWMoM as our Webmaster and Newsletter Editor.

I absolutely loved Salt-n-Pepa when I was growing up. “Let’s Talk About Sex” was definitely a catchy tune that would stick in my mind and I’d hum it, dance to it, and sing it (when my parents weren’t around, of course). I mean, you’re probably singing it in your head right now. You’re welcome for that, by the way…. (Need a quick throwback? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydrtF45-y-g Enjoy.

In February, the Fort Worth Mothers of Multiples (FWMoM) meeting welcomed a fellow twin mom, and one of our GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS, Dr. Celeste Holbrook, PhD Sexologist, as a guest speaker. Dr. Holbrook provided a fun and informative evening with answers and suggestions for us to navigate our relationships, our parenting, and our own beliefs and feelings regarding sex and intimacy. Her presentation even included a 3D model of female anatomy printed at the local public library! It was awesome. Her story-telling, real life, no-nonsense, scientific-yet-relatable approach made the taboo subject of sex feel very normal and comfortable.

One of the biggest “takeaways” from the presentation (for me) was the reminder that WE ARE ENOUGH…..AS IS. No matter what your faith, no matter what your lifestyle, no matter what…..we are all unique and made to be exactly who and what we are. Especially during today’s uncertain times, it is easy to question if we are enough…doing enough…cleaning enough…disinfecting enough, homeschooling enough....housekeeping enough…working out enough…keeping our spouses/partners fulfilled…preparing enough...the list is endless. The fact remains that no matter what the FEELING or insecurity tells us, WE ARE ENOUGH and we need to recognize, appreciate, and OWN our worth.

Trying to successfully balance being a good mom AND an intimate partner is not an easy task…… I know for me, I felt that I was somehow “broken” and my body just didn’t work like it did before becoming a mommy. Dr. Holbrook explained that the biggest killer of arousal is RESPONSIBILITY. I found this statement to be GENIUS. When she said it, I wanted to stand up and scream out loud “YASSSSSSSSSSS! PREACH!” For many of us (I would venture to even say MOST of us), being a mom means handling (almost) every need that arises in our homes. The expectation that we place on ourselves to suddenly shift from being “Mom-Boss” by day and an aroused sexual goddess by night is unrealistic (and unkind). Our brains and our ongoing “to do lists” don’t disappear when our children go to bed for the evening. Wouldn’t that be amazing if we could just suddenly be blissfully unaware of responsibilities every night at 8pm?! Expecting our bodies to separate from responsibility and become energized and aroused brings challenges that we must recognize and work through.

Good news…. you are absolutely NOT broken. Your situation, your life, and your body need time to recover, adjust and create a new “norm”. This can take months and even years…go easy on yourself! Stop carrying guilt and allowing yourself to feel like a failure. YOU ARE GROWING AND MOLDING MULTIPLE LIVES THAT WILL ULTIMATELY DO GREAT THINGS IN THIS WORLD. YOU ARE ENOUGH! YOU WERE MADE FOR ALL OF THIS AND YOU’RE COMPLEX AND AMAZING AND CAPABLE OF HANDLING ALL OF IT.

If you missed the February meeting, be sure to check out FWMoM Facebook page. The presentation was provided via Facebook Live and has been posted for review. Additionally, Dr. Holbrook invited all of us to join her private Facebook group for discussions, questions, and information regarding all things related to sex and intimacy. To join, search “Circle of Sensual Women” on Facebook and request to be added.

Lastly, I want to mention that Dr. Holbrook offers a complimentary 30 minute discovery call to explore how she may be able to help clients. She is amazing, and we are so very grateful to have her as a GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR of our organization. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and utilize this incredible resource.

Phone: (682) 207-1047

Email: celesteholbrook@gmail.com

Website: www.drcelesteholbrook.com

Author: Beth Wangerin is a mom to a 5 year old boy and 3 year old twin girls. She currently serves as the VP of Sponsorship and Fundraising for Fort Worth Mothers of Multiples.

For all of us, life has changed drastically in the last two weeks in light of the government mandated orders narrowing our exposure to others in hopes of slowing the spread of Covid-19. Many parents are faced with the challenge of working from home with their children running around underfoot. Still others are now homeschooling their kids with only virtual help from their kids’ loving teachers. The brave few with essential service occupations (a round of applause!) are on the front lines of exposure, going to work away from their families to keep the rest of us safe and cared for. Many of us regularly stay home with our babies and preschoolers, but “stay home” is a loose translation, as we are accustomed to going out for play dates, appointments, trips to the zoo and museum, and grocery shopping with the whole crew! No matter who you are, your life has taken a turn into unprecedented and unexpected territory, leaving you scrambling for some sense of normalcy for you and for your kids.

Children have the ability to sense that things are different; they can feel our tension as well. Even as babies, they are probably now missing the stimulation of going to daycare or leaving the house. We can combat the anxiety they may be feeling by sticking to a routine. If you’re not a regimented person (I’m not!), you can think of this more as a daily rhythm; it doesn’t have to be a strict schedule. If your kids are old enough, get their input on what they’d like to achieve each day or in what order they’d like to accomplish their tasks. For kids of any age, it can be comforting to check tasks off as the day wears on.

A few tips for creating a daily rhythm:

1. Arrange learning activities to occur in the morning when kids have a more flexible mindset and more emotional investment to devote to them. Save free play and passive activities like screen time for the afternoon when everyone is nearer the end of their patience!

2. Narrow the scope of options for your kids. Too many choices can cause decision overload. A room full of toys can be overwhelming for children and they wind up complaining of being bored! Choosing only a handful of toys or activities to pull out each day or every few days can help your kids be more confident in making decisions in their free play.

3. We all need a change of scenery! Even if your house is in full lockdown, “no one in, no one out” mode, you can go outside to play, read, or eat a meal. Even spending time in different rooms of the house can help the time pass. Spend some time doing crafts at the kitchen table, play with a certain toy in each kid’s bedroom, take a bubble bath in the middle of the day!

4. Devise a plan for filling your day; don’t try to think on the fly when the kids are flying off the handle and you’ve been playing referee. Personally, my goal is to hit on these major domains every single day: numbers/counting/math, letters/reading, art, fine motor, gross motor, and building/constructing. I’ve made a list of activities to pull from and each night I can ready the materials we will need for the next day. I consider these to be the main academic realms in preschool and many of our activities cover at least two of these areas at the same time.

Above all, seize the gift of time you’ve been given. No matter your children’s ages, you can come out on the other side of this better connected as a family unit. Savor the chance to teach your kids something new, to be creative together, to start that chore chart you’ve been meaning to create or begin daily family devotion time. Dream with your kids and make plans for the future, work together toward a common goal. Take time to connect with friends and family through phone calls, written letters, or face time. As a final word, I want to urge you to embrace grace. This is a highly unusual situation for most of us and we are all figuring out a new way of living. Allow room for abundant grace for your kids, your spouse, your coworkers, and yourself. We’re all in this together. If today was hard, tomorrow can be better.

Author: Emily Denis is mother to 3 year old triplets, and a 5 year old. She serves FWMOM as our Vice President of Socials. 

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. Stable and fixed sounds pretty good right now, considering our situation. That means you, momma, can be stable in your home! There’s security in the truth that no foe (no viral pandemic) can withstand the power of God.  

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! SAY THIS! We have talked a lot about the words coming out your mouth and how they shape your environment. SPEAK IT OUT OF YOUR MOUTH. I can verify: it will silence fear. Another version says, “He’s the hope that holds me” and I repeat this when I feel afraid of what lies ahead.  

3 For then He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. A snare is a hidden trap of an enemy, this is something you don’t see coming. I’m there, I didn’t see this pandemic coming. So here is the promise: safety from the trap I was blind to. The deadly pestilence, this virus, any disease... here is my promise to put my faith in. Even if someone we love contracts this invisible trap, we have this promise of deliverance to hold onto!  

4 Then He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. This picture brings me such peace. His faithfulness to His word is my shield.. And yours! 

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. Boom... fearless! Ladies, we do not have to be afraid of what’s to come! Don’t fear a thing! Day or night you better believe terror is coming for your heart and your mind... but it cannot take you out if you don’t let it in! Fear grows when you feed it. Replace fearful thoughts with faith filled thoughts, you’re promised that fear will not take you out!  

7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. 8 Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked. I take this promise very literally. When I’m assigned the high exposure risk patient, I have a promise that I will remain unscathed and unharmed. How about you? What can you say to it when your kid picks the food off the floor in Costco and eats it? Say: IT WILL NOT COME NEAR ME. When you do, your enemy runs because you are inaccessible!  

9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, 10 There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent. Mommas, this is for you. You make your resting place in Him, and you have this promise for your entire household! COVID-19 or any other plague will not come near your home! Your kids! Your family! When I come home from work, those bugs have got to die before setting foot in my house. Not because I’m so cool but because the Lord is. This doesn’t negate wisdom, wash your hands people! 

11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways. 12 They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot. We may not know on this side of life how many times the angelic forces defended, preserved, and kept us in our goings. We nearly got hit one day in the car and my oldest said “mom, I think we squished an angel just then!” and he’s probably right! 

14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. Look again at those last words, you will never be forsaken by Jesus, no never. To be 1000% clear we have a triple negative... Never, no never!  

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation. God hears you. That’s your promise. This is especially true when you are feeling overwhelmed, burned out, and beyond over it all (I am there and we are one week in). The promise is delivery and honor, and that’s what I put my faith in.  

I know this was a bit long, thanks for sticking in there. The most valuable way we can spend our time fastened in safely at home is by feeding our faith and starving the fear. What tomorrow brings, who knows? What I know is that these truths will be true tomorrow, no matter what.  

Author: Tonya is mother to 3 boys, Lucas and 4 year old twins Wyatt and Timothy, and she serves FWMOM as our Chaplain. 

Has our world been flipped upside down or what? I could never have imagined we would be in the midst of a global pandemic. In fact, I didn’t even believe it was likely at all. From my experience as an ICU nurse and seeing the seasonal flu and other diseases run through communities; it is unreal that this COVID-19 virus is wreaking the havoc it is. Unprecedented really, that what can be described as a weak virus in comparison to others, shakes the earth so hard.  

But that’s not what this blog is about. Here we are, in the middle of a season full of uncertainty and constant fluidity. We can talk for days about the moment to moment developments, but let’s not. This situation has driven anxiety to the highest marks. Panic. Let’s not sugar coat it, just look it straight in the eye and call it out. What is worse than the virus is the fear that is grafted to it. Fear cleared the shelves at the stores. Fear drove discord into governments to the point of slow action. Fear is keeping our faces glued to the internet... worried about ‘homeschooling’... terrified of the uncertain finances. I do not for a second downplay the reality of the situation.  As a nurse, I’m seeing firsthand how it’s affecting our hospitals and critical services; it’s unsettling.  

What I want to do instead of exalting the fear and this pathetic virus, is to shout from the rooftops (and articles) the answer! Fear goes when faith arrives. Fear and faith are on opposite ends of a continuum. As we move towards faith, we are moving away from fear. Same is true for the opposite; the more fear and anxiety and worry we think about, the further we become from faith. To break it down further, it really depends on what you’re putting your faith in. If our faith is in wealth, certainly we know that can fail. If our faith is in ourselves, and our ability to roll up our sleeves and get ‘er done, at some point we will fall flat.  When we put our faith in our government, our spouse, our job. we are destined to be let down.  

The only true and stable, life-giving, never-failing force to put faith in is Jesus. Wherever you are on your journey, please don’t tune me out. I am not religious, I am in love with Love, and I want to share His truth with you during this turmoil filled time. This is how I keep calm, how I am walking in peace, how my life is sustained regardless of the crazy world around me.  

My faith is very personal to me. I didn’t have it until I was an adult. One of the very first things I learned to do was to literally believe the words in the Bible were for me. Psalms 91 is one of the first chapters that I began to put faith in and it transformed me. I want to unpack some of that for you now. Why? Because Coronavirus is stocking the earth with fear, hoping to catch you. Psalms 91 is our promise that we don’t have to give in! Not fear, not disease, nothing is stronger than the promises below.  To make it clear, the words of the Psalm will be in Blue, and mine in black.  

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