2018 was an amazing year for Charleston Moms Blog! We hosted two fabulous events for the moms in our community, partnered with many great local businesses, published more than a dozen local resource guides, and shared wonderful content written by our dedicated team of 30+ contributors.
To cap off 2018 and ring in the new year, we wanted to share our top 10 most-read blog posts from this year. Thank you for letting us walk through this journey of motherhood with you! And stay tuned because we’ve got lots of great things in store for 2019!
10. A Summer Slow Down Instead of a Summer Bucket List
“But, what if we take a step back, take a breath, and pick our battles? What if we allow the summer to soften us up a little bit? Let the summer heat melt off the rough edges and just be grateful for the lives we have. Let the summer slow-down relax our breathing and slow the pitter-pat of our anxious hearts. Dawdle, on purpose. Maybe even waste time.”
9. Stress-Free School Lunches
“It’s almost time – back-to-school, schedules, and structure. With all the scrambling for new backpacks and supplies, the thought of packing healthy lunches can be overwhelming. With a bit of planning and foresight though, you can be ready for the new year and take the stress out of school lunches.”
8. Saying Goodbye to Charleston: Lessons Learned
“You’re never really alone in a crowd. There’s just something about the Lowcountry that even transplants feel like they know someone else when in public. I’ve only been in the Lowcountry for six years, but it feels like a lifetime after meeting someone who knows someone. Besides, it’s the South and everyone is your neighbor if you’re a local.”
7. Family Ties
“I felt cheated. How does it just stop? I was so close to having questions answered. I was going to finally know the name of the woman that gave birth to me. I was going to be able to search a face for resemblance…a similar nose, the same smile. I was going to find out my nationality.”
6. A Heavy Day, A Heavy Heart
“The news in Charleston today was heavy. The news in our country today was heavy. One local beautiful little girl is missing. Hundreds of teenagers and school employees are scarred for life because of a shooter. Tonight, this mama cries for those other mamas who are experiencing a most devastating loss.”
5. What Southern Mamas Are Getting Right (From A Northerner’s View)
“Their kids are put-together at all times (or so it seems!) Don’t hate me, but I don’t totally *get* the smocked clothing thing. BUT, I do love how put together kids of Southern Mamas are all the time! Southern Mamas make sure that their children have the appropriate outfit for every occasion and guaranteed, their tops are always going to match their bottoms. ”
4. The Corner of Motherhood and Mental Health
“Tonight, I remembered to take a pill that (along with grace) has saved me and our journey into this challenging and beautiful life together. Tonight, we currently sit at the intersection of blissful motherhood and draining postpartum anxiety.”
3. Budget-Friendly Style Tips From A Local Fashion Blogger & Mom
“My friend Savannah is also a local mom of two little kids (two kids under the age of 3 actually!) but she is somehow able to put together the most stylish, fun, and unique outfits, AND at a total steal! She buys most of her clothes at a huge discount, which is seriously shocking because she looks like a million bucks.”
2. A No-Spend Month: What We Did & What I Learned
“Last week, on a rare date night, I convinced my husband (over a yummy plate of bruschetta) that we should embark on a month of no spending. Why you might ask? Although I’m sure not spending for a month would bring financial gain, my reason was more philosophical. After a month (December) of excess, indulgence, and way too many Amazon deliveries, it was time to press pause and reevaluate our consumer habits.”
1. Living Paycheck to Paycheck
“It’s hard. It’s hard to pretend to be middle class. When friends want to go out to eat or have a happy hour. Something so simple, but to have to wonder if that will mean not paying for something else. Being invited to a birthday party and hoping we can get a small something at the dollar tree. None of our friends are millionaires, and everyone has a budget, but it feels like we are playing pretend. Even with just the two of us, sometimes it feels like we are pretending this huge weight isn’t on our shoulders. Sometimes I think we shouldn’t, and other times I know it’s saving our relationship.”
And here are just a few of our popular local resource guides that we published this year (not included in this Top 10 list!)
