As 2021 comes to a close, our Charleston Moms team is taking a moment to reflect on all that this year has brought for us. We welcomed nine wonderful new contributors and what an incredible addition they’ve been to our already amazing team of 30+ moms. We held our first in-person event in more than two years and being able to celebrate our new and expecting moms was extra special this year. We published new resource guides and over 300 new articles!
If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s that moms make the world go round. We’ve navigated unchartered territories and unprecedented times. We’ve broken and put ourselves back together again. But despite the differences we may have, being a mom is the one commonality we all share. Wherever you are in your motherhood journey, thank you, from the bottoms of our hearts, for letting us share it with you. We hope the articles you read here inspire you, make you laugh, and most of all, let you know that you’re not alone.
See ya in 2022, mamas!
“Often when I’m out with all three girls people will make comments like…”Man, I bet your husband hopes the next one is a boy!” or “Wow! Three girls…your poor husband.” And my least favorite of all “You’re going to try again so you can have a boy, right?” As if our family is incomplete without a son?”
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9. I’m Raising My Kids Without Religion by Megan Beach
“What church do you belong to?” This is the most common thing I hear any time I meet a new neighbor or mom friend after the initial pleasantries. I’ve come to expect it, we live in a suburban area outside of Charleston with well over twenty churches in a ten-mile radius of our house. I usually politely tell them we don’t belong to any church. Some will assume we just haven’t found the right one yet and will continue to ask about my family’s religion. Others are flabbergasted that our family doesn’t go anywhere to worship on the weekends, I’ve even had some moms straight up walk away from me and shake their heads.”
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8. A Thank You Letter to My Son’s Daycare by Alexandra Duncan
“I don’t want someone else raising my child.”
The first time I saw this comment was on social media and I was in my early 20’s with a newborn baby. I had just returned to work after an unpaid, short six-week maternity leave and my baby was in daycare. I saw this comment posted on social media by an acquaintance as a way of explaining her choice not to work while she had young children. She was so lucky I thought, to have that option. I wanted to tell her how I cried the entire way to work every day after I left my son’s daycare in the morning for months. How crushing it was to leave this child that I was just getting to know and who had changed my entire life, five days a week, 8.5 hours a day.”
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7. A Haunted Halloween Driving Tour by Erin DiNicola
“I am, to put it mildly, obsessed with Halloween, so one of my favorite things to do every season is driving around to see the amazing Halloween decorations that everyone has put up.
This year, I asked around and compiled a list of the top homes or neighborhoods to witness spectacular Halloween decorations and here they are!”
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6. I’m a Boy Mom. Stop Asking if I Want a Girl. by Holly Ahnen
“Two of the sweetest little boys hold my hands, while another gently kicks me from within.
One looks up at me and says, “Mommy, you look so beautiful today!” (I had braids in my hair which he had never seen before). My heart melted.
How could anyone tell me life as a mother would not be complete unless I had a little girl?”
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5. Choosing Sobriety vs. Wine Mom Culture by Alexandra Duncan
“Charleston is a drinking town, the social scene here centers around food and beverage. Charleston is home to the oldest continuous liquor store in the United States. I run a local blog and enjoy taking photos of colorful cocktails at downtown rooftops and poolside bars.
That coupled with the “Wine Mom” culture made it seem like my daily (or close to it) drinking was normal. Moms need alcohol to get through the daily tasks and chores, to relax after a long day, to stay calm while balancing kids and life. Right? The “Send Wine” t-shirts and coffee mugs, the kid-friendly breweries, and the lack of concern for the everyday modern mom drinking wine alone at 3 pm were all normal in my world.”
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4. Confession: I’m Cheugy and Proud of It by Jenna Arsenault
“I learned about cheugy from my forty-something-year-old friends from high school during one of our weekly video chats. I was lamenting about Starbucks not yet having their pumpkin spice lattes available. It was mid-August, practically fall! – and chuckling about being “so basic”. My friends confirmed my basicality but expressed concern that I was maybe more cheugy than basic.
“Cheugy? What the h*** is that?!”
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3. Girls Weekend in Charleston (An Itinerary) by Brandy Wales
“After a year of not seeing friends (Re: pandemic), I had the great fortune of spending a weekend sans toddlers with three of my very dear girlfriends earlier this spring. If you’re looking for a fun weekend getaway to celebrate life and friendship with your people, look no further. I’m here with an itinerary for eating and drinking your way through Charleston for a fun girls’ weekend or staycation!
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2. 76 Places to Eat Outside: East of the Cooper Edition by Pamela Brownstein
“In an area known for its beautiful weather and fabulous food, it’s no wonder so many eateries offer outdoor seating where people can wine and dine while capitalizing on our warm climate.
Although going out to eat with small children can be a challenge, especially during a global pandemic, we’ve compiled a list of family-friendly restaurants that provide safe outside dining in Mount Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, and Daniel Island.”
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1. The Chip Jar: The Secret to Enforcing Positive Kid Behavior by Allison McCleary
“I am not exaggerating when I tell you that implementing chip jars for my kids changed their behavior for the better. A LOT. The basic idea is that you are rewarding kids for their positive behavior, in order to encourage them to repeat that behavior. Every time you see a behavior that you like out of your kid, you reward them by putting a chip in their jar. Once their jar is full, they receive a reward.”
