The Jersey Momma is changing. Truth is, she's been changing for a long time now, but I just haven't acknowledged it much here 'on the blog,' as I've come to say. I started The Jersey Momma way back in 2013 (and you can read about that here), when I was a new mom with no friends (but I had my wonderful parents who went on tons of adventures with me). Back then I was working through so much, from leaving a career in teaching to grieving over personal losses. The Jersey Momma was new and exciting and fresh.
This post is part of an editorial section called Beyond Momma, where I share personal thoughts and stories. You can check out more of Beyond Momma here.
Now here we are, 11 years later. It's been a fun ride, and it's certainly not over. But after going through a pandemic, a crazy election, social media disdain, changing times, and so much more, I feel like The Jersey Momma needs to reinvent herself a bit. I'm still a momma, but the momma of a teen.
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| This is me trying to look serious without looking old |
If you have a teenager, you know how difficult it is. I never thought I'd be the uncool, embarrassing mom, yet here I am. I can't possibly keep writing about mom things because I'm more than just a mom now. I have to be. So many moms are in this position, right? Your kids start to get older. You've given so much to them, so who are you now that they don't need you as much anymore? That, my friends, is the question. How do you find a new normal once the nest is empty?
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| What is he embarrassed by? I don't get it. |
So here's the plan. The Jersey Momma is going to come on here ('on the blog') every now and then and talk to you as a person, like an editorial section. Not just giving you travel tips and gift guides (I ain't giving those up, just sayin'), but my real-life thoughts, experiences and words, which I haven't really done much of here (it's like the great and powerful Oz stepping out from behind the curtain! Except with a smaller head). I also thought I'd add a 'playlist' to each personal post, too (today's theme song selection is 'Catch' by The Cure). I shall call this editorial section...BEYOND MOMMA. Anyway, that's the plan. Let's see how it goes, shall we?
Post Playlist: Catch, by The Cure
I am here with you. My kids are middle schoolers but already they need me in a different way- they need me to give them space and let them establish themselves. I was a central player and now I am more support cast. It’s really different. I’m trying to find more for me- developing my own interests after so long just hyper fixating on them. It’s a struggle.
ReplyDeleteReally really love your writing style. Always looking forward to more.