Welcome to The Mom Flow, where I share things that are on my mind in the hopes of helping you connect to your Mom Flow. Thanks for being here! —Erin Sousa
Where is the time going! Like only a few weeks until Christmas. On the struggle bus over here trying to do all the things for everyone, work, ya know, the juggle. I did sneak away for some mom self care, which honestly is essential to my sanity and wellbeing… but let’s get into more of that below.
Brake or break
Last weekend I hit a wall – Roberto and I looked at each other on Saturday AM and commiserated… we were exhausted after a crazy few weeks and relentless early mornings. Add that to being sick and we agreed that we wanted to ask his parents to take Lola that night. Now personally, I do get a little pang of guilt asking his parents only bc I never like to make anyone’s life more difficult but they always love doing it. So we did, and they were happy to take her so that we could have an evening and morning off. We slept until 9:30am which was all kinds of glorious. I spoke about it in my IG stories and you wanna talk guilt?! Oh I felt it. I felt like people (moms mostly) would judge me for needing time to myself, especially as a parent of only one child. I felt guilty for those that don’t have someone to take their kiddo when they need a “break”. So many supportive “good for you” comments and one “it won’t always be like this, you can rest when she’s grown up” comment. 10 people shared my story which always makes me feel slightly self conscious that they are snarking. I’ve been on the receiving end of people who accidentally respond to my story instead of to their friend who sent it to them, so ya, it happens 😉 Do I ever feel judgmental as a mom? I mean there can be a learned default response to things but I always correct those thoughts.
Overconsumption awareness
The internet is currently flooded with the buy now messaging thanks to Black Friday madness which has honestly felt like the entire month of November, right?! We spend so much time online that we are bombarded with it. Like when you actually take a look at who you’re following online and what they talk about you can bet just by default, it’s become 90% about consumption. I’m in a tricky place speaking on this because of what I do for work, which is marketing. I have always wanted what I share to align with my values and that includes products. Two things can be true at the same time and it doesn’t mean you’re contradictory. I don’t think you have to act in absolutes and I’ve learned there is often lots of grey. Now that that’s out of the way. The pressure to have more is at a fever pitch and I always go back to how it feels in Europe… it’s more about appreciating what you have, connecting, experiences. Not to get preachy but that’s what gives us humans real joy. It gives you a dopamine hit to buy something… I get it! I do it! So fleeting and not sustainable. The new doc on Netflix Buy Now! sheds light on this topic and it’s both enlightening and disheartening. I will say that it’s up to each of us to check ourselves because it’s not going to change anytime soon. Scroll with caution… can that be the name of my documentary? For real though, it makes no sad and worried for my daughter. I read recently (probably on TikTok) that if you get off the internet and just live in the world, it’s still 1993. That felt so freeing.
Weekend update
I’m hosting my bestie this weekend and it’s extremely rare that she comes to Vancouver with her family! She may sneak away for a weekend just for herself but to bring her hubs and two kids… it’s been many years. I’ve been so looking forward to it and planning the details for weeks. Making sure they have all their fave snacks (I now understand what it’s like to travel with kids and mannnn when it’s easier it’s just easier IYKYK) so there I was, hopping from place to place looking for the perfect pita chips, Brookside açai and blueberry and of course, sweet chili heat Doritos (I may steal a few). They are staying at a hotel a few blocks from us which has made it a great balance so they have their own space to totally spread out. I’m hoping to steal her away for even just a foot massage so we can have some time just us – with three kids around it’s obviously hard to think straight let alone spill some tea. I made a big dinner for us, the kids decorated gingerbread cookies (those little kits with the cookies and all the toppings are just so perfect for a quick to do!). Planning to do Capilano Suspension Bridge for Canyon Lights, an indoor play park and dinner at Trattoria. Now you’re all caught up!
Crowdpleaser menu
One of my fave joys in life is cooking for ppl I love. Like putting in the extra effort and planning a beautiful meal – I love choosing what to make, picking out the ingredients and then getting cozy in the kitchen to enjoy the process! It’s honestly been a part of who I am since I was really little – I love that in our new home, it’s so much easier to entertain. I defo get it from my mama – she would entertain and prepare lavish dinner parties with all her silver, a Flan Flambe, and every drink you could imagine (heavy on the rum and coke). I don’t know how she pulled these off as a single mom with two kids! OK, back to my humble dinner: as I was making this mac and cheese recipe for my friends and family I listened to the Ina Garten Daily Podcast and I loved it so much! This was a very Erin coded moment. I’ve been a fan of Ina for manyyyyy years and she’s having a real revival right now. The podcast gave so much insight into how she does what she does and if you are a part time homemaker like me (like aren’t we all in some way?!) this is gonna hit deep. My dream in life is to have a big beautiful home and garden (that I don’t have to maintain hahaha) and just live off the land, hosting, cooking and living. Literally Ina in the Hamptons is what I picture for myself. But, until that happens, I’ll just enjoy making mac and cheese, Caesar salad (I even did a good store-bought dressing because ‘store bought is fine’) and classic chocolate cake for my people. Tell me that’s not a crowd pleaser menu?!
Also, I shared our holiday baking recipes on a recent Mom Flow and leaving them here again bc I get DM’s asking allll the time:
Cinnamon Swirl Loaf – this is our most prized family recipe that I always swore I would never share, and then I did. This one instantly reminds me of my mom.
Butter Tart Squares – probably my second fave recipe for the hols and the only time I will eat raisins. Doubling the recipe is the only way here.
Twix Bars – for the caramel, shortbread and choco lovers (I suggest some sea salt on top!)
Pecan Snowballs – so festive, buttery and the easiest recipe ever.
Sugar Cookies – an ode to my grandma, I love cutting them into cute shapes and have started decorating them with icing. So fun to do with the kiddos!
There’s more! Keep reading this week’s edition of The Mom Flow by Erin Sousa; subscribe for free to receive new posts and support her work, here!
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