Cozy Conversations: Moms Mingling through the Chill

Hey everyone, it's Jess and Sam here! In today's episode, we're diving into the topic of winter blues as moms. You know, those funky feelings that creep up on you during the colder months when you're stuck inside more often than not. We chat about how it can be tough to tell the difference between regular mom exhaustion and actual winter blues, and share some of the common symptoms to watch out for.

But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom! We also dish about our own experiences and swap tips for boosting your mood when you're feeling down. From getting some sunshine (even if it means hitting up the tanning bed like our mom does!) to starting a fun indoor project or having a cozy family game night, we've got plenty of ideas to help you beat those winter blahs.

We also get real about the challenges of socializing and getting out with little ones during cold and flu season. It can be stressful trying to balance keeping your kiddos healthy with making sure they (and you!) still get some much-needed social interaction.

So grab a warm beverage, snuggle up, and join us for a candid convo about navigating the ups and downs of motherhood during the winter months. Remember, you're definitely not alone in this! Let's help each other out and make it through to spring together.

Hope you enjoyed this episode!

Remember we'll be back twice a month with more fun shananagins. Be sure to follow us so you don't miss a beat!
We'd sure appreciate a review too. This helps us reach more women just like you trying to make it through the sometimes chaotic, sometimes fun, and sometimes cry-worth days of motherhood.

Can't wait to hear more from us or want to leave us a comment?

Catch us on social:
Insta: @shesgotittogether
YouTube: @shesgotittogether
Blog: shesgotittogether.com

Here's to Getting it Together one day at a time,

Jessica & Samantha

Transcript

Overcoming Winter Blues as a Mom

Speaker 1 0:00

Yeah, I'm trying to start projects, because there really isn't anything to do too much outside. The weather is so iffy and I mean we used to go up north and you know we'd still be on stuff.

Speaker 1 0:10

But you know, with kids we don't really do that anymore, but you know whether it's, you know, a room redoing a room, redoing a bathroom. We're doing something, like I said. I haven't done it a couple years, but it is something that I always was felt was kind of therapeutic because it was not like a Task that had to be.

Speaker 3 0:32

It was fun. You're like excited.

Speaker 1 0:34

Yeah, it was a designer, create creative outlet for me. Yeah and it was yeah, it was a really, it was a good project and it didn't have to be expensive, I mean, I always do. Diy stuff. But you know, I think, actually I think the last one was probably my office, so it was just over two years ago that I started it and you know I we had it painted, I did like I love the peel and stick papers and you know, just all the different pieces, got a light fixture and just different things.

Speaker 2 1:07

Hi everyone and welcome to a brand new episode of she's got it together. I'm your host, jessica and I'm Samantha.

Speaker 3 1:14

Each week we peel back the curtain on what it really looks like to have it together.

Speaker 2 1:18

From the messy moments to the milestones, we're here to share it all.

Speaker 3 1:22

So grab your favorite drink, get comfy and let's dive into today's topic.

Speaker 1 1:31

All right, welcome to today's episode. We are gonna talk about winter blues. Now, as a mom, I think winter blues are a little bit different. Um, I don't know if they should be called winter blues. I feel like they can happen, and pretty much all the time.

Speaker 1 1:51

Yeah, I don't know if winter blues, like I said, is the is the right term, but anyways, we're gonna go with it and we're gonna kind of talk about Overcoming them and actually figuring out if that's what's going on. A little bit Obviously, we are not medical professionals, but we're just gonna talk about our own experiences and See where that takes us. So, samantha, winter blues, have you experienced them in this first year of motherhood? As a mom? You know I have you.

Speaker 3 2:23

I feel like I feel like winter blues, like because I feel like in the winter months, like you, you just feel like More tired and stuff like that anyway. But, like as a mom, it can be kind of hard to differentiate because, like I actually like pulled up some like Winter blue tight feelings and like I don't want to make like a joke of this but at the same time, like you know Because that this does happen to people but at the same time, like as a mom, like I feel like you can feel these all the time Like feeling sad is is like a symptom of like the winter blues and I feel like especially like as like a new mom, or Like your hormones are still like getting back in order and like I'm pregnant again. So, like feeling sad, like I might feel sad and like, or see, like I was literally watching I don't know if anyone's seen, I'm sure you have, but this summer I turned pretty Love it on Amazon Prime. It's amazing. Um, I watched the two seasons After bow goes to bed, like that's like my, my time and I just like cried through the whole thing.

Speaker 3 3:30

Like you just like feel things so deeply being pregnant or like after pregnancy, postpartum, like you can feel sad and like that's okay. And I think with these, with these winter months and it it's like dark, it's not as sunny, you can just like think about things more You're. You're like thinking about like what you don't have anymore, like I can't go out as much, I'm not seeing my friends, like you're feeling sad but at the same time you're happy you have this beautiful baby and this great family, or, and you're just like, you just feel a little bit more sad.

Speaker 3 4:03

Um, for whatever reason you know, it could just be like oh, it's snow today. It's. I'm sad. You know, like I think as a mom, you can feel like so many emotions, like I'm Like you. Maybe you just had a really hard day. You weren't like, in your mind, the best mom and you feel sad and for whatever reason, that like hits different, maybe in the winter months, because there isn't as much sun, you're not getting out as much, like that's. One of the other things like on this list is just, um, you know you're, can you hear that your um, you have a loss of energy and you're feeling more tired and I'm like, well, I have no energy and I'm tired all the time because you are a mom, like you know. So like there's these symptoms that you have, like you're feeling sad, you have a low energy level and stuff like that. And then what's another one?

Speaker 1 5:00

Oh, changes we have distractions here.

Speaker 3 5:02

Changes in your appetite is another one. Like you might end up eating more. I feel like in the winter months I eat more anyway, because it's like Christmas and Thanksgiving and you're inside. You want those like hearty comfort meals, and you're craving carbs and sugars. I'm like I'm craving carbs and sugar right now because I'm pregnant, but it's like so. There are so many things like that, you that go into the winter blues, but it could also just be like normal, like changes in season that happen.

Speaker 1 5:34

I feel like, even summer, though, it's like ice cream, you know, like the sweets come out for the different parties. Like I don't know, it's like all the time kind of thing, like these symptoms are hard to.

Speaker 3 5:48

I think these just might be more heightened in the winter time or you're more aware because you're maybe not as busy, you're at home more, you're not going out, like you don't have as many activities, like I feel like summer is jam-packed, it's nice weather, it's sunny, like you want to get out, like you're more motivated to do those things and in the winter you're not as motivated, but these are like things that can happen all the time you just might be more aware in the winter.

Speaker 3 6:14

but like slow thinking, like hard time concentrating or decision making, like hello, I feel like my mind is going a mile a minute as a mom and I do sometimes have a hard time concentrating or making a decision because and hello pregnancy brain is huge. But it's like I've been calling Bo's car seat a high chair for the last month. I'm like, hey, brett, can you put Bo in the high chair? And we're going out to the car.

Speaker 3 6:42

I'm like I meant car seat and like change in sleep. You're usually sleeping too much, like as moms. I mean, we're lucky to get sleep and if you have a chance to sleep in my God, take it. You know, it's just.

Speaker 3 6:57

There's all these things that can lead to like feeling like the blues are like you're not doing enough, or you know you're being lazy, but at the same time, just like try to like just take this season like step by step and if you need to sleep more, sleep more.

Combating Winter Blues and Depression

Speaker 3 7:12

If your partner needs to step up a little bit more, a little bit more like have them, do that. Like, if you're eating a little bit more, like maybe try to like get out and walk some more to like burn off those carbs and sugars, but try not to like beat yourself up about it and know that this is just like a season of life that you're kind of going through and hopefully, you know obviously there's more to it. If you're feeling, you know like really, really sad and you're you just like have noticed a huge change in your demeanor or your appetite, or just like your mood, Like maybe then that's when you like need to go talk to somebody. But a lot of the time I feel like it's just a season where you're just kind of I don't know relaxing and giving yourself like the time to be a little lazy. It's the cozy season.

Speaker 1 8:01

Yeah, it's a sweater weather. You know you're supposed to just stay indoors, be dormant, be a bear.

Speaker 3 8:08

Yeah, and I like want those hearty meals like the beef stew and all the chilies with bread, and I'm like you know what?

Speaker 1 8:16

Get your candles out. Yeah, you know, just have a fire if you have a fireplace. Oh, I wish we had a fireplace, yeah.

Speaker 3 8:24

I turn the fireplace on the TV. The fake one.

Speaker 1 8:27

Okay, that works too, and when I have like a little candle thing that goes in the fireplace, you do yeah.

Speaker 3 8:33

But that also, you can turn it on and it brings out heat so that it almost kind of feels like you have a fire going if it's on.

Speaker 1 8:39

It's just the ambience that you give yourself. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but I think going outside, I think sun is a big thing, I mean like oh my gosh she has to go tanning, so she can get her vitamin D.

Speaker 3 8:51

Well, I mean it affects your. I mean I feel like the sun can like really affect your mood. Like, if you're just not getting all those like UV rays and all that stuff, like you're just like blah yeah.

Speaker 2 9:03

But when? In?

Speaker 3 9:03

the sun you just like you, just like you, just feel like even fresh air, though it's just that fresh air is like rejuvenating kids too, like when I get bow outside, even like on these kind of outdoors.

Speaker 2 9:17

He loves being outside.

Speaker 3 9:19

But it's like I noticed with him, like you know, if he got to get him, try to get him outside every day because it helps him sleep better and he's just in a better mood. But some days you're just like, oh my God, I just I don't have it in me. Today it's like a really cloudy day. Can we just like play inside and do you want to watch a movie?

Speaker 1 9:39

That's a good cozy. Yeah, Definitely. I mean so. I have always had an issue with, like depression and anxiety and things. I mean since I was like in high school. I think that that plays a part in all of this. I mean even.

Speaker 3 9:57

Differentiate between like yeah the winter blues and like more serious, like mental health.

Speaker 1 10:03

Yeah, and I think it just sets you up for a little bit more of a struggle with that. But there's definitely always things that you can do, and I think you have to kind of find your own path, what works for you, I mean.

Speaker 3 10:20

Do you have any like daily practices that you do that like help, like combat, like winter blues or just depression in general?

Speaker 1 10:28

I have to remember not to seclude myself Because I like to be alone. I like to I mean it is hard with kids and things, but I do have a habit of shutting down, like right now I'm in that funk of it, like I will kind of I mean, the kids are pretty self-sufficient right now, right.

Speaker 1 10:51

I mean it's, if we're not, we don't have a meal plan for the evening or something. You know, like Taylor loves chicken nuggets or chicken tenders or you know whatever those things, she'll make chicken noodle soup or something. Those are all little things that she can make on her own. You know, I will let her do that and I might go get cozy in bed and watch Netflix or something like. Like I have to be careful not to go binge too much, because that's where I start spiraling. And Even, like this past weekend, like I did that too much. Like I know I Let myself do it, but I know I probably shouldn't have. Like there's so much stuff I could have gotten done around the house and things like that. But I'm kind of at this point in a little funk and I need to Push through, make a little bit more of a point to push through and just be To get out of the house more.

Speaker 3 11:47

I guess, like I know that's huge for me getting out of the house yeah especially like with bow and like working from home, like I really don't have to leave the house, like at all. But I know, like him and I both feel better if we do get out and like just run a quick errand or go, do this Like.

Speaker 3 12:03

I think that is huge and, like you, sometimes, like I I remember it took me like I had to be like, okay, we have to go somewhere. Today, especially like him you know, being a baby and stuff, like it does take a lot more to get him out and yeah, like, hopefully, like they're okay and they're not gonna have like a big poopy diaper or they're gonna be crying the whole time and you just have to make a million excuses, why not exactly?

Speaker 3 12:26

Exactly, and like you just have to kind of sometimes, like there are some days where I have to like push myself to go out and do Something and I always feel better after. But yeah is like a conscious effort. Like you have to be like, okay, we have to get out. Today it's been like three days we haven't gone anywhere. You haven't changed out of your pajamas like wait.

Speaker 3 12:45

I mean wash your hair put a little like I know, sometimes, bro, we'll be like the last time you showered and I'm like, excuse me, I am a mother, showering is a privilege and maybe I just you know, don't. I always have this thing where I'm like, okay, I don't want to shower at night because then I can't do my hair. I don't want to do my hair and I don't want to shower at night and not do it because that's a waste of shower and doing right, right, you know, I want to do it during the day, and if I don't get to it during the day, I'm like, oh wait, I'll put, I'll push it off until tomorrow, I'll do the

Speaker 3 13:16

next day something happens, it doesn't happen, and then there's a time where I just hit my limit, I'm like, okay, I'm taking a shower and if I don't do my hair I don't care. You know, it's just like. It's terrible that showering has become like self-care. Now as a mom. Before it was just like this thing that you did, and now, as a mom, you're just like looking forward to when you can shower.

Speaker 1 13:37

But those are all and you're making the most of it. You gotta make the most of it.

Speaker 3 13:42

Got it's like the hair yeah that's, um, you know, that's a thing too, like, just like the daily practice of take a shower, or yeah, I I mean I don't wash my hair every day, but just taking a shower every day. I know I should try to do, but you know what? I'm not worried about it when I, you know, start to smell. I guess.

Speaker 1 14:07

Yeah, it's, it's simple things. It really is.

Speaker 1 14:09

I mean, I know there's lots of lists and things that they stuff you can use supplements and things that you can do, but honestly, it literally is just remembering that there is life outside of your walls and exactly I mean I am just such a introvert anyways that it doesn't help, like I've got a lot of things that are kind of Built against me just the way that I am, and and then on top of it, you know being a mom, being I don't know Kind of feeling over at work to her over. Yeah or whatever, and then working from home, which I love, but this time has its pros and cons, for sure.

Speaker 1 14:48

Sometimes gets the best of me. You know it's just. I have to be careful because I can easily spiral and you know DJ is good. Sometimes he'll Make a comment or two. He like he'll see when it gets there.

Speaker 3 15:03

Or, you know, we might get a little bit of an argument because I'm in denial and I think it's important to know, like when you need those moments to yourself to be able to just go to your room and like Watch a show and stuff. But then it you also have to know, like, the boundary of when it's like, okay, I'm just I'm using this like in an unhealthy way. Now, right, it's, it's more of like I'm just getting into like this, this depression, right, a spiral of I'm on the peak, but it's it's important to like know when it's too much and when it's like a healthy amount that you need to, and I think that's.

Speaker 3 15:38

I mean I I personally I haven't had to deal with like depression, so I can't speak to it, but I could easily see like it. You know, there are moments where you, you just feel like God, I don't want to get off the couch, like I don't want to do this today and, like you, get into a little funk. And for me not having to deal with depression, and someone like you who has to deal with it, I can see how that can turn into Something that yeah, you're just like.

Speaker 1 16:05

Oh man, like it's right right. Yeah, and you know so like I Really should have pushed myself sooner, but it's like okay, I have just binge watched since probably beginning of December, maybe mid-December, like six seasons of SWAT. I Like I think I've probably better stop this you know I've never watched SWAT.

Speaker 3 16:38

I don't know how many episodes they have or how long they are, but 22 episodes or so apiece. And I feel like you know we did take some time off in December. So, you know, you, you just you kind of take that, but then again, if you needed some time and that's what you do to decompress, like all for it. But then there's a there's like you said, there's a point where you're like I know I need to, I know I need to.

Speaker 1 17:06

Well, I'm like I'm getting yeah, I say all here Start using it as the a negative outlet more so like a way to hide, and I can't keep doing that. So yeah, I mean, that's where I find myself in trouble.

Speaker 3 17:22

Other indoor activities that you can do to kind of like boost your mental wellness when you are getting like that, like what?

Speaker 2 17:30

can you?

Speaker 3 17:30

do like inside. You know that helps with that.

Speaker 1 17:34

Well, I mean, honestly, I need to be more intentional about, like hopping in the treadmill or something like that, just getting myself moving, Like I mean I have a treadmill spray here next to me and. I just I need to do that more and I mean obviously that's got lots of benefits. But, I mean one of the things like Saturday night I made you know we kind of got dinner going.

Speaker 3 17:58

We did like a little family game night, like just interacting as like a family together, which is again more benefits than just what I needed, but it was something that brought us all you know together had some goofiness just, you know, kept me doing something other than binging, and I'm sure like when you're in that mental state of just wanting to go to your room and watch TV, like having a family game night, can seem like a lot you know it can seem like harder to like want to do something like that because you're just like I just want to go in my room and watch my show, but I should spend time with my family and have a game night.

Speaker 3 18:32

And then when you're in it, you feel great, it's fun, you're good, but it took a lot, maybe, to get there.

Speaker 2 18:37

Yeah.

Speaker 1 18:38

Yeah, yeah. So I mean it's just putting in the effort and it's not as much effort as you think. You just need to do it, and that's the hard part is just forcing yourself to do it. But yeah, like I said, I think I've binged enough and I need to move on to something more productive. But yeah, I mean I would have said like winter blues before kids was a thing for me, I think.

Speaker 1 19:07

But it was easier because, like I could, or DJ and I could like go take a trip somewhere, or we could go do something fun. You know like that was always nice.

Speaker 3 19:16

You can get out a little bit easier than when you have kids.

Speaker 1 19:21

I'm excited this year because we can go. We're going to take a trip to Florida. We'll stay for a week. You know we're going to do that.

Coping With Winter Blues and Productivity

Speaker 3 19:27

I think that's great in like March that month, especially in Michigan it's like a miserable long month. So when you can, go somewhere nice and warm and sunny like Florida. I feel like it just like rejuvenates you for when you get back and you're looking forward to spring on the horizon. Yeah, it's huge.

Speaker 3 19:43

I remember as a teacher, march was the worst month. It was so long. There was so much time in between, like winter break and spring break, and it's such a hard month and it is just crappy and there's either snow or there's not snow, but it's gloomy and it's cold and you're just like overall the snow, you're over the winter, you're ready for spring. So I just remember that that month in particular for me was always hard. So when you had spring break and you were able to go somewhere warm, you're just like thank God, like you, just immediately when you get there, feel so much better.

Speaker 1 20:16

It's funny how that works too, and it's like the sun. You know it's the sun Like that lack of sunlight affects your mood?

Speaker 3 20:23

No, but it's not around every day and it's different. It's not as warm, it's not as close, you know, but it's just such a hot thing, those sunny nice winter days are great because you feel like you know what, let's go outside, or you feel like going like a dog.

Speaker 3 20:37

I wanna lay in the window Right, like, just like I wanna like go outside for a walk, or if you are able to like go ski or go do like a winter activity, like when it's nice and sunny, like that you just feel more motivated to go do something or to get those errands done, or go do this, or I mean even doing something inside with the sunlight coming in.

Speaker 3 20:58

you feel more motivated to like organize that closet you've been putting off forever, or actually just like clean your house or, you know, do whatever. I feel like that, for me, is a big thing, like I can let things get on top of me when. I don't feel motivated and it's crappy. You just wanna like be on the couch or not change out of your pajamas because we work from home, or like nacho or you know, it's just like what.

Speaker 2 21:22

Laundry laundry Like. That's like could be a whole episode, I know.

Speaker 3 21:28

Just letting laundry pile up is miserable, because then you're like, okay, trying to get everything, because I hang a lot of my stuff. So then it's like there's stuff all over the house like being hung to dry and you're just like it's everywhere and it's like there's nowhere to put it. I've run out of hangers. It's like what do I do? But oh God, yeah.

Speaker 3 21:47

Getting just like basic household tasks can really pile up fast, especially with kids and when you're not feeling motivated to like do them or it's just really hard because you are like dipping into that seasonal depression, you're just like, oh God, I don't wanna do all these dishes, I don't wanna do all this laundry.

Speaker 3 22:06

And you just like put it off, put it off, and then you're just like it's gross, dreading it even more because it's gotten so bad. And then you're just like oh God, I don't even wanna do it, I don't wanna look at it Like you just like are just putting it out of your mind and walking by it and throwing dishes in the sink and you're just like, oh dear Lord, let me get that sunny day, so I feel more motivated to do all of these dishes so laundry.

Speaker 1 22:30

One of the things I used to do and I haven't done. Well, I haven't done this year and I don't think I did it last year, but I would start projects, I think it's a time to start projects, because there really isn't anything to do too much outside. The weather is so iffy and I mean we used to go up north and we'd still be on stuff.

Speaker 1 22:49

But with kids we don't really do that anymore. But whether it's a room, redoing a room, redoing a bathroom, redoing something, like I said, I haven't done it in a couple of years, but it is something that I always felt was kind of therapeutic because it was not like a task that had to be organized.

Speaker 3 23:11

It was fun. You were like excited to do it.

Speaker 1 23:14

A designer creative outlet for me and it was a really it was a good project and it didn't have to be expensive. I mean, I always do DIY stuff, but I think actually I think the last one was probably my office, so it was just over two years ago that I started it and we had it painted. I did like I love the peel and stick papers and just all the different pieces, got a light fixture and just different things like that. But that always kept me occupied and it's stuff that you don't wanna do in the summer, because in the summer you don't wanna be outside, Right yeah.

Speaker 1 23:50

And.

Speaker 3 23:51

I think with kids, like doing those projects can be hard sometimes. It depends on what age your kids are because, like for me, I would love to like dive into organizing like our like basement and turn it into a like a little workout area and like maybe a little guest room and stuff like that, and I can do that, but I almost feel like I need bread around to do that and it's almost like I have to do it on weekends, because with Bo, I feel like he's 14 months like I can't just go in the basement for an uninterrupted amount of time and organize this as constant stopping and going.

Speaker 3 24:27

Yeah, you almost have to pick, like not necessarily smaller projects, but maybe I can organize like the pantry today because like he's in there playing, I can organize the pantry or I can organize this closet because it's easy to like go back and forth to and like he has not been napping for me lately very well, he sleeps for like 30 minutes if I'm lucky, so like by the time you get started or I get down to the basement and start doing it, like he's up again.

Speaker 3 24:53

So, I think if you're in that stage of life, maybe picking smaller projects that you can do, that you can go back and forth from at like a moment's notice, or if you know he's being really great that day and just wants to play by himself over in like the living room, great, I have more on a route, uninterrupted time.

Speaker 3 25:12

And then if you do have bigger projects, maybe trying because, like I feel like we haven't done as much on the weekends, like right now there's no snow, we can't go snowmobiling, like we can't really ski with Bo right now. He's too young, so it's like we haven't had as many winter weekends up north. So we do have time on the weekends as like a couple to do bigger projects like that, which I think is also good to kind of help with like that building of our relationship to you're spending that time together on like a common task that you want to finish. So you're spending time together as a family Like you're getting stuff done that you need to get done, and it's also kind of giving you something to do during those winter months when you're feeling like a little yucky.

Speaker 1 25:54

Yeah, definitely. I mean, I think DJ has projects right now, I just don't.

Speaker 3 26:00

Brett has projects too. It's easier for the guys to go have a project isn't it?

Speaker 2 26:05

You know like they don't.

Speaker 3 26:06

they can just go and do this project as they please and we'll be here taking care of the babe, I mean.

Speaker 1 26:13

I have some projects I want to do, but they're bigger, craftier projects, and right now my projects are work related. So right yeah, that's the other thing too.

Speaker 3 26:23

It's like you don't want to put too much on your plate when you've got other like things in motion with work and easier when I didn't have a business.

Speaker 1 26:31

You know, when I was right, I could do things, I mean.

Speaker 2 26:35

I show all kinds of stuff.

Speaker 1 26:37

I was, it was, it was really fun. But no, but yeah, those things keep you Pretty, pretty on. I guess it keeps your mind somewhere, you know yeah.

Speaker 3 26:47

Yeah, I feel like that's good.

Speaker 3 26:49

And then there's always like support groups and different resources that you can find like online and stuff like that. Like I know my sister-in-law she has like this mom's Facebook group that she's in like for her neighborhood and stuff like that where they can interact and like if someone has like something going on, they kind of like can put it in there like a like a neighborhood party or like a potluck or like things like that. So there are like things like that that you could seek out. In fact, I was thinking about doing that for like our area here, just to like you can connect with other moms or you know.

Speaker 3 27:29

Kind of like I know there's like I have like a membership at our zoo and a couple of girls like started a like mom's like walking group every like third Thursday of the month or something and they all meet at the zoo and will walk the zoo together so you can kind of make mom friends and stuff like that. That's fun. Those are new things. Yeah, like that's more of like a summer activity, but I feel like there's I'm sure there's like a ton of like winter things that they might do, like painting with a twist, if you can go out and do like a mom's group or something like that.

Speaker 1 28:01

I know I haven't done that forever.

Speaker 3 28:02

That's a good one.

Speaker 1 28:05

Do you remember what did we do? The the moon or something. Oh, we did that one for Hayden's birthday. I love you to moon and back, but remember the one that you and I did. They were the beer taps. I love that one.

Speaker 3 28:19

I did such a good job on my. I was impressed. I was like oh my.

Speaker 1 28:23

God, I had mine in my bar. Yeah, that was a fun one, that was fun.

Speaker 3 28:29

That was the first one we ever did. They were like those pull drafts yes, that's what they were.

Speaker 1 28:35

That was fun.

Speaker 3 28:35

That was fun. It's just finding things to do like that, and you know what I was. If you can have like a girls night in like, invite your friends over and have everybody bring like a, like a different type of like chicouterie board or a different, tail or tail, yeah, just like try to be intentional of like with like, hanging out with your friends and stuff inside.

Speaker 3 28:58

You don't have to necessarily go anywhere if the weather is bad. But even if you like all met on zoom and had a little cocktail, if the weather is bad you can't get together or, you know, have a little girl or kids have, you know?

Speaker 1 29:09

I mean, it's a zoom, is Everyone gets sick, it's handy thing or two, so it's hard to get together.

Speaker 3 29:14

So if you can't, get together in person like maybe try to do something over zoom or something like that you know, put zoom on TV.

Speaker 1 29:22

We did it for Thanksgiving. Oh gosh, I remember years ago.

Speaker 3 29:26

We did. We use that app, forget what it's called, but you could play games with your friends on there, like live.

Speaker 1 29:32

Yeah.

Speaker 3 29:34

I can't remember what it was called, but we did that, like me and my friends did that a few times just to be able to, like, get together and play some games and because we couldn't have our girls nights so there are things that you can do, even if you get together, which is nice, and just having those like connections and conversations with your friends and like not just your family but being able to like you know if you need to social with anybody about your family to your friends and stuff like that.

Speaker 2 30:00

Like.

Speaker 3 30:00

I think that's important in the winter months because you're cooped up more with your family, so things can like be a little stressful or you can get a little more irritated with each other. So I think having an outlet outside of your family is good.

Speaker 1 30:13

Yeah, I think that's a good point, because I think it's a little bit harder these days that there's so many working from home now that yeah since COVID.

Speaker 1 30:22

I think the winter blues might be a little bit worse, because you are so you're just gather so much more, yeah, yeah, and you don't go out, or you're, you're, you know you think about it more now like you're a little bit more cautious you know, yeah, I want to take Bo to like the library and do those play groups, but I'm so worried that about him getting sick and like bringing it home, because I know it's going to happen.

Speaker 3 30:46

You go somewhere and the kids are sick and then everybody's sick, yeah, and I think that's an age where he's putting everything in his mouth and. I'm like I'm more apt to do that kind of stuff in the summer, even though I don't want to be inside, just because I know like he may not get as sick.

Speaker 1 31:00

There's just fewer germs at that point yeah.

Speaker 3 31:03

Right. For me as a mom right now that's hard, because I want to take him out, I want to have him do stuff like that, but I also don't want him to get sick, because there's stuff we have to do, you know, like yeah, things that we have to do or important things, and you're just like, oh God, I don't want to be sick for that no-transcript.

Parenting and Finding Safe Social Environments

Speaker 1 31:21

So the kids, when they were little we didn't do the public library because we went there once and it was. It was colorful.

Speaker 3 31:31

What do you?

Speaker 1 31:31

mean I mean it was just there were so many kids there just spewing all kinds of things. I ended up Taking them to Barnes and Noble after that and that was the library. I mean we usually got a book, don't they? They do they have all kinds of events there. Yeah, I mean we didn't buy a book every time, but it was still. It was the same idea. You can, obviously.

Speaker 3 31:58

You can't you want to be around books and stuff, but I wanted to have the same feeling.

Speaker 1 32:04

It just didn't want them around. All of the germs. I mean even the books you get at the library.

Speaker 3 32:10

I mean seriously like if you go somewhere like that and and like you can't control what other kids are saying or doing, and if you Like feel uncomfortable with what you know being said or what's being done, and then of course You're not gonna take your kid back there, you know. But that's the thing about taking them out. You just don't know. And if you can find a place where you do feel comfortable and you're like not worried about what other kids are Like saying or exposing your kid to, then that's great. Just take them there. You know you don't have to always have them.

Speaker 3 32:37

I know I always felt bad for that, because I mean you don't want them hearing things they shouldn't hear or being exposed to things they shouldn't be exposed to it. You know.

Speaker 2 32:46

That's no parenting.

Speaker 3 32:47

You know like you want to know and you want to have them socialized, but at the same time you want it to be like a safe environment that you feel comfortable with them in. You know.

Speaker 1 32:55

Yeah, it was, yeah, definitely interesting, but that's what we did. And they had a great little Thomas the train table at that Barnes and Noble, which they clean constantly. They had the right waves, they were Always clean. I bring so nice.

Speaker 3 33:11

I bring wipes to like I wipe all of those stuff down. But I can't be at like the little library wiping all the like toys down After someone uses them, you know yeah, yeah. That's yeah, thing when he goes to school, like I know he's gonna get sick. It's just part. It's just part of the process. It is to grow their immune system and stuff. But I'm just like he's just so little now and I feel like he was born during, like he was born In October.

Speaker 3 33:36

He was born in like the, the bad months of, you know, getting sick and stuff like that. So it's like if you can kind of prevent them from getting sick during those months with RSV and all that stuff, like More power to you, yeah, but it's just hard yeah.

Speaker 1 33:53

That it is so. Well, hopefully you can take some of those ideas and Get some help with the winter blues, if you do have them. I mean, not all of them are gonna work for you, but there is, I'm sure, something that will Help with that. Doesn't necessarily take that all away. Like I said, I think one of the biggest ones is just remembering to socialize. Don't shut yourself off in a room because like that is one of the biggest things with me. Like I'll just go off and Binge, or just I'm a private person. I mean I'm an open book, which is funny that I'm a private person. I'm an open book and an introvert, so I don't know what I am. But yeah, I just you have to remember to to go outside.

Speaker 3 34:45

There's a lot out there. Find the things that you know work for you, like getting out, getting some sunlight, go tanning, go like have a game night with your family. Just try to be like Cognizant of like those, those triggers or those things that you know like, okay, I'm getting, I'm getting into a hole right now. I need to get myself out. What are the things that work for me? To, like, get me out of this funk and just try to go do those things.

Speaker 1 35:12

Yep, yep, try them, see what happens. All we can do, but you're definitely not alone. So Look for those mom groups too. I really like that idea. I think that's a really good piece of advice, because I've not done that one.

Speaker 3 35:26

So yeah, facebook or like a community board or like some, like something like, if you need that, like there are a ton of things out there, so I'm sure that can work for somebody.

Speaker 1 35:39

All right, well, we will see you in our next episode.

Speaker 2 35:44

Thanks for joining us today, and she's got it together. It's been a real journey, sharing and laughing with you all.

Speaker 3 35:49

We hope you're walking away with a smile on your face and a bit more confidence in your step.

Speaker 2 35:54

Remember, you're not alone in this crazy ride called life. We're all in this together, one day at a time.

Speaker 3 36:00

Don't forget to subscribe, leave us a review and, of course, share this podcast with all the incredible women in your life. Join us next week for more stories, more laughs and more real talk until then, keep embracing your unique journey and remember you've got it together more than you think.