What. a. year! I don’t think anything could have prepared us for 2020. It was a year filled with so many different challenges for so many people. Our world, and our Charleston community, has faced some of the toughest things we’ve ever had to deal with and we are still navigating strange times.
As 2020 comes to a close, we at Charleston Moms hope that we were able to bring some light into your lives this year. Despite facing a myriad of new challenges, our team of 30+ Charleston moms continued to share their struggles, their successes, and all the highs and lows of their motherhood journey’s. We hope that there were articles that really resonated with you, that made you laugh, and most importantly, reminded you that you are not alone. Enjoy taking a look back at our top 10 most read articles of 2020!
CHECK THEM OUT
10. My PTSD: It's Not What You Think by Sondra Killian
“I used to hate the word “triggered.”
I thought it was some pansy way of making an excuse to not “toughen up,” or persevere through a problem. Everyone says it so lightly, “I’m triggered,” and they use it to make a joke. It had really become irritating . . . .
And then my husband died in front of me, two weeks postpartum, while I tried everything to save him.”
Read more…
9. Imperfect Hospitality by Jennifer Watson
“So often, I’ll feel like inviting someone over for coffee or for dinner and then I look around and think, our house is too “messy” to have guests over or I don’t have enough time to prepare a made from scratch dinner like my “friend” just posted on Instagram or I’m still in my leggings from the day before.
But listen to me, sweet friend, is this REALLY helping the comparison trap we as moms often fall into in this age of beautiful, filtered Instagram feeds?”
Read more…
8. Teachers, We Are Asking Too Much of You By Erica Rabhan
“It is abundantly clear, we are just asking too much of our teachers as professionals, and more importantly, as humans.
For this, I, and thousands of other parents around the country, would like to offer three simple words.
We are sorry.”
Read more…
7. How My Husband and I Are Maintaining Our Marriage During Quarantine by Rhonda James
“The times I would normally have to enjoy some peace and quiet were times he wanted to vacuum the entire house. The times he would like to sleep in later were times I wanted to make a smoothie. The times I wanted to rewatch The Office on Netflix were times he wanted to blast music from the speakers. We weren’t in sync.
We knew we needed to create a system that would work for us during this time, especially while we’re confined to the safety of our homes for God knows how long. Here’s what we’re doing…”
Read more…
6. An Ode to Mothers With Strong-Willed Children by Chelsea Lindsay
“Constant arguing, not listening, and always debating with you, these are some of the wonderful qualities of a strong-willed child. You might have seen the meme “Dear God please help my strong-willed child to become an amazing leader when they grow up ….but you know ….leader of a company, not a gang.” But I have no advice to offer you to tame your strong-willed child because I learned there is really no taming them without blowing out their fire.”
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5. I Am a Cult Survivor by Chelsea Lindsay
“I have been hesitant to write what it’s like to be a cult survivor. As a society, we hear about cults on TV. We are aware of them, but sometimes it’s just so bizarre that you question, “How is that even possible?!”
Well, my answer is that cults are very real and very scary.”
Read more…
4. Goodbye, Charleston by Ashley Shannon
“Today I bought one-way tickets out of Charleston.
We’re leaving the place I have grown to love.
There may be prettier places on earth, but at the moment, I can’t think of one. As I write this, the setting sun dances in the leaves of my backyard trees. The wind whispers and the Spanish moss lifts its tendrils in reply. Birds talk to each other. And here I sit, the lone audience to this sunset concert.”
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3. Charleston Moms EATS: Annie O Love’s Cafe of Sweet Abundance by Elizabeth Wagner
“Sometime in February, I heard through the Facebook grapevine that there was a really cool vegan and gluten-free dessert shop that had just opened in West Ashley. Immediately, I searched Facebook and Instagram to see what I could find out about this bakery! I am an omnivore but I love trying new and different foods especially if it is healthy and delicious…and I soon discovered Annie O Love’s exceeded my expectations!”
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2. Not Single, But Alone by Erin DiNicola
“We are not single.
We are married or in committed relationships. We are not single parents navigating the challenges of raising a child entirely on our own without financial or emotional support from the other parent.
No, we are not single, but we are too often doing it all by ourselves.”
Read more…
1. My Hobby-Less Life by Allison McCleary
“I’m not exactly sure what my husband and I were talking about the other night, but when I went to bed, I had a realization. I’m (almost) 35, and I have zero hobbies. I can’t think of one thing I like to do. Sure, I enjoy being with my friends, going out to dinner, walking the beach . . . but those aren’t hobbies. In all honesty, it kind of bummed me out that I couldn’t think of one thing that I could consider a hobby of mine!”
