Category: Parenting

Posted in #featured, Life, Meetings, Miles, Parenting

Welcome to Meetings, Miles, and Motherhood: Why I Started This Journey

Posted on by sherwinelaine

Welcome to Meetings, Miles, and Motherhood—a space where we navigate the intricate dance of career, travel, and parenting together.

Life has a way of taking us on unexpected journeys, and mine has been no exception. As a remote-working mom without house help, balancing a 9-to-6 job, frequent business trips, and raising two beautiful daughters with my supportive husband, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with this lifestyle. From managing virtual meetings while preparing lunchboxes to catching flights and missing bedtime stories, the juggle is real.

This blog is born out of a desire to share these experiences and create a community where we can support and learn from each other. Here, you’ll find:

  • Personal Anecdotes: Stories from my own journey, reflecting on the highs and lows of balancing work, travel, and motherhood.
  • Practical Tips: Insights on managing remote work, efficient travel hacks, and strategies to maintain a harmonious family life amidst a busy schedule.
  • Thought-Provoking Discussions: Conversations on topics like freelancing, upskilling, and the evolving dynamics of modern parenthood.

Your thoughts, opinions, and experiences are not just welcome; they are an integral part of this blogging journey. I encourage you to share your insights and let me know what topics you’d like to see discussed here.

Thank you for joining me on this adventure. Let’s embrace the chaos, celebrate the small wins, and create a life where we thrive in meetings, miles, and motherhood—together.

Welcome aboard! I look forward to our conversations and the community we’ll build.

Marriage is a thousand little things.

Marriage is a thousand little things.
It’s giving up your right to be right in the heat of an argument.
It’s forgiving another when they let you down.
It’s loving someone enough to step down so they can shine.
It’s friendship.
It’s being a cheerleader and trusted confidant.
It’s a place of forgiveness that welcomes one home, and arms they can run to in the midst of a storm.
It’s grace.
It’s giving of yourself tirelessly down paths you’d never imagine to travel.
Through sickness and pain, poverty and loss, it’s carrying the weight of another.
It’s being the smile they see in the morning, and the body they hold close at night.
It’s pure love.
It’s standing together in the face of adversity.
It’s riding alongside each other in a battle that threatens to tear down your marriage and seeks to grab hold of your faith.
It’s strength under pressure.
It’s endless compassion.
It’s love.

~Darlene Schacht

Posted in Parenting

The Untold Struggles of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

Posted on by sherwinelaine

Being a stay-at-home mom is often looked at as the ideal situation – you get to spend time with your children, watch them grow, and be there for every milestone. However, the reality is far from picture-perfect. While it can be rewarding, being a stay-at-home mom comes with its own set of challenges and struggles that often go unnoticed.

  1. Isolation and loneliness

One of the biggest struggles of being a stay-at-home mom is the isolation that comes with it. You may feel cut off from the outside world and your social circle, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. The lack of adult interaction and intellectual stimulation can be overwhelming.

  1. Lack of me-time

As a stay-at-home mom, it can be hard to find time for yourself. You are always on call, taking care of your children’s needs and putting their needs before your own. Finding time for self-care and personal hobbies can feel like an impossible task.

  1. Financial constraints

Being a stay-at-home mom often means sacrificing a second income, which can put a strain on your family’s finances. It can be difficult to make ends meet, and the stress of financial instability can be overwhelming.

  1. Lack of appreciation

As a stay-at-home mom, you may feel like your work is often undervalued and underappreciated. Your hard work and dedication to your family may go unnoticed or unacknowledged, which can be demotivating.

  1. Balancing household chores

In addition to taking care of your children, you are also responsible for running the household. From cooking and cleaning to laundry and grocery shopping, it can feel like there is always something that needs to be done. Finding a balance between taking care of your family and managing the household can be a daunting task.

Being a stay-at-home mom is not an easy job. It comes with a unique set of challenges and struggles that often go unnoticed. It’s important to acknowledge and address these challenges to prevent burnout and ensure that you are taking care of yourself. Remember, you are doing important work, and your hard work and dedication to your family is invaluable.

Posted in Life, Parenting

Cheers to 2022!

Posted on by sherwinelaine

Day 1 of 365: May all our goals this year be achieved! Let’s claim it 🤞

Each year, I write my goals in my journal where I can read it everyday. It’s true! You attract what you think. For 2022, it’s more hustle for this Momma!

When I was just starting to build my career, my goal is always to be on the senior level management by the time I am 35 and people calling me in my initials — SEH (means of calling senior excom members in a company). As I was browsing through my feed, I saw some batchmates already achieved that same dream. Surprisingly, I did not feel envious or sad for myself. Maybe because I learned that comparing myself with others will only do more harm than good. I only compare myself with no other than myself 😉 hence I am able to think of ways on how to improve more.

Housewives like me, please stop thinking and saying that you are just a housewife (and stop mom shaming please). Being a full time mom is like working for more than 1 job. You have demanding bosses too 🤣. Working moms and stay-at-home moms are just the same. They only do what’s best for their family.

I may not be called SEH now but I am CEO of my own small business and also being called by three letters — M O M. I realize that sometimes things will not work out as you planned but certainly more beautiful things will come your way. 2022 is not just another year, claim that this is YOUR year. Spreading positive vibes on the 1st day of the new year!! 💋✨

Posted in #featured, Life, Parenting

“I want to raise happy children, not perfect ones.”

Posted on by sherwinelaine

My childhood was a happy one. Memories of afternoons playing with my sister and cousins. Sundays are spent doing groceries and bonding with my family. Evenings being tucked in bed by our Mom. Attending music lessons every Saturday.

I want to raise happy childre not perfect ones. This are my childhood photos.
Doing groceries every Sunday with my sister and parents. Our Annual recital in the music school.

“This whole pandemic has taken a toll on the mental and social health of children. Luckily, I have two daughters who can interact and play with each other. If it has been hard for us adults, imagine how it was like for them.”

sherwinelaine.blog
Memories of my happy childhood.

I grew up without strict curfew. We were allowed to watch tv or play with our toys even on school days. It’s just that our Mom constantly reminds us about being responsible with our studies and to allot time for every task. I study hard because I know I need to do it for myself and for my future and not because my parents wanted me to study and to assure them that every penny spent on my education is worth it. That is one thing I want my children to learn — to grasps the true meaning of responsibility.

As much as possible, I resist the urge to compare my daughters with each other, much more compare them with other kids. I want them to be the best version of themselves, competing with no one other than their own self. I praise them for their achievements, but at the same time I teach them how to be happy for other people’s success.

“I want them to be the best version of themselves, competing with no one other than their own self.”

sherwinelaine.blog

I want them to learn how to be contented with what they have in their life right now but also to never stop dreaming and working hard until they reach their goals without stepping on others. It’s up to them what they want to be when they grow up — no pressure from us, we will support them along the way.

No matter how busy we are with our everyday lives, we must see to it that we make time to talk and play with our kids. Parents nowadays are guilty of letting their kids play on mobile phones/tablets so that they can take some rest after a whole day’s work. I myself is guilty on this one but not to rest, but to be able to do some household chores. Yes, our children will remember the toys we bought for them, but the memories they will treasure the most are the moments we spent with them.

My parents did not raise us as perfect children: prim and proper individuals with straight A grades who can sing, paint, dance and act. But I was a happy child. I smile when I remember what was it like when I was a child. I can tell stories of my childhood to my kids and painting a smile on their faces. That’s what I want — to raise happy children, not perfect ones.