tee: forever 21 (shop) // skirt: made by my mom // heels: payless (shop) // necklace: c/o wild about jewelry
Last weekend I attended a retreat up near Pasadena called The Power of Moms. I’d never heard of it before the invitation to go, and honestly I debated back and forth whether I should go, especially considering I wouldn’t know a soul in attendance. Happily, they let me bring a friend, so I asked Christi (Philip’s 2nd cousin who lives here in HB), and she was more than willing to tag along.
I won’t bore you with details of the whole day (and trust me…there are a lot of details I could share since we were there from 9am til 7pm), but let me just tell you that the day was inspiring, refreshing, and completely motivating.
Basically the idea behind Power of Moms is to be a deliberate mother, raising good, hard-working, and happy children, all the while being a strong, fulfilled, and joyful mom. This retreat was an entire day dedicated to teaching us how to do just that.
Here are a few of my favorite notes from the day, and things I’m now working to incorporate into our home:
- “Mom Is A Person.” April started making her children repeat this phrase after years of putting up with eating cold food because her kids needed something the moment she sat down to eat, or the kids banging on the door while she was trying to take a shower, etc. Now she reminds them, “mom is a person too” and that her needs are a priority as well. We’re working on this…
- Warrior Mothers. Sarah, of Having a Hull Lot of Fun, shared a beautiful story about her daughter who was born with Spina Bifida, and how she became a “warrior mother,” putting her armor on the moment the doctor’s recommended terminating the pregnancy. She spoke of being a protector and an advocate for your children. She is amazing, and this rang so true for me.
- Strengthening Your Spirit. Don’t rely on food, or social networks to bring you happiness, and don’t let them consume you so that they block your connections with God.
- 2 Minute Rule. The first half of the day was dedicated to learning about April’s Mind Organization program. One of her tricks in this program is “if it can be done in 2 minutes or less, just do it.” I’ve been doing that this week and it’s helping me feel SO much less overwhelmed!
- 3 Systems of any Organization: CULTURE, LEGAL SYSTEM, ECONOMY
- Culture: “Be deliberate about motherhood and about your family culture.” What things define us as a family? Make an effort to create that special culture.
- Legal System: Involve your children in choosing a consequence for their actions. Speak respectfully to your children, just as you expect them to be respectful to you. Ask for a do-over if they speak unkindly — “let’s try that again.” this is working beautifully for Peanut…
- Economy: Teach your children about money. Make them responsible for some of their purchases and gain an understanding of how much things really cost.
After this awesome day, I came home and came up with four characteristics that I feel describe the person I am and am striving to be:
Discipline, Order, Strength, Love
Time to instill these characteristics and be the most deliberate and joyful mom I can be.
If you want to learn more about The Power of Moms, go here. There are retreats around the country (and the world!) on a regular basis, so check to see when they might be coming to your area. And if you’re in Southern California, April (the founder) and her husband are hosting a couple’s retreat this weekend in Tustin. They’ve done these in the past and everyone had amazing things to say about them. Check out the information here!
this is not a sponsored post. Power of Mom’s provided the tickets for the retreat, but all opinions are my own.
1. I'm in love with that outfit! 2. That sounds like a great event…. Lots of wonderful, biblical advice! I'm glad you were able to go (and in turn share with us 🙂
OK so I skipped the mom stuff because I'm not one, so I'm just going to comment on the outfit, which is super cute. I love the print mix!
~Sarah of Sarah's Real Life
P.S. I'd love for you to join in on my "Take One, Pass it On" Outfit Remix challenge!
Sage advice Merrick, I try to live a deliberate & careful life, it is my daily mantra – along with peace.
Cheers
Lori
coolgreendays.blogspot.com
Great words! Loved every single topic.
afelicidadefeitaemcasa.blogspot.com
I normally don't comment on posts, but this was so great to read! I'm only "kind of" a mom right now, as I have two small babies in the NICU that are still a few months away from coming home, but this still rang true. I feel so in love with my babies and our new little family, but I do wonder how I'll keep all the intentions I have for us at the forefront when they eventually come home and I turn into a full-time mom that has to handle all the day-to-day stuff that can overshadow the big things like what kind of mom you want to be and what kind of values you want to instil in your children. I think it's so key that mom gets to be a person! And I love the idea of being deliberate about your family culture and being respectful to your children and involving them in choosing consequences. Thanks for sharing (sounds like an amazing retreat).
what a neat convention! Although i'm not a mother, i think the "two minute rule" is so neat! i need to apply that to my own life.
and of courseeee, i LOVE your skirt and was dying to know where to got it…. come to find out, your mother made it. why am i not surprised 🙂 you talent ladies youu.
beautiful outfit!
kw ladies in navy
I love your suggestion for redirecting how they speak with "Let's try that again…". My son is only 3 but has been experiementing with attitude so I'm going to try that for sure 🙂
Love the print mix too!
Erin
I'm so glad you got to go to the Power of Moms retreat! I just started Mind Organization for Moms in January, and I LOVE it. I've been really impressed with the Power of Moms Organization since I joined a learning circle last summer and started reading their blog and other articles. The best thing about POM is that they really encourage you to find what's right for you as a mom with your skills/talents/needs/situation, not what you see everyone else doing. How awesome that you've chosen some things to focus on- I really do think they will help you be the most joyful you can be!
What a great retreat, and such great take-a-ways. Especially the "mom is a person" one. Thanks for the recap.
Soooo nice! This great info.
Sounds like an interesting retreat. Very helpful with moms (new and experienced), I'm sure.
I love your outfit and the mixing of the prints. You look so chic!
MJ
Papersidewalks.blogspot.com
I'm not a mom yet, but I absolutely relate with "Mom is a person, too." I wish I would have treated my own mom with more respect as a kid, and that she would have demanded it from us. We were constantly interrupting her and not letting her take naps — and looking back, I wish I would have let her rest once in a while. I'm definitely using this principle with my own kids.
This was beautiful, Merrick. It sounded like such a fantastic retreat with great guidance and resources to empower you as a mom. On another note, why are you so dang cute?!?! This outfit is fantastic.
Absolutely LOVE your outfit!
Loved this post! So glad we could meet at this awesome event! You are a doll! Thank you for your kind words regarding "Warrior Mothers!" You are too sweet. I've been working on my organization and it's LIFE changing!! So thankful for Power of Moms. I only wish I learned this stuff earlier!
Loving the outfit combo Merrick.It's really cute and pretty.
Thank you so much for this post. I have had a look at their website and it seems great. Our first baby is due in the summer but I am already feeling a bit overwhelmed by the thought of being a mum! Don't know how you do it and seem so cheerful and organised all the time. The 'mother is a person' rule is great. Feel bad about how we terrorised our mum all the time LOL. She can't wait for her grandchild to arrive and terrorise use in turn! I hope our parenting skills are up to scratch when the time comes!
but am honestly https://bestdoctornearme.com/ thinking of paying $10 to get the weekly new workouts. It’s $15-25 per month, whereas a live barre class is going to run you at least that.