Stephanie de Montigny
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Stephanie de Montigny
  • Boss Mama Diaries
  • About Stephanie
  • Work With Me
    • Sponsored Content
    • Brand Portraits & Headshots
    • Product Photography
    • Image Subscription Plans
    • Family & Newborn Photography
mama holding up letterboard quote raising a baby is a full time job for a work from home parent
10Jan

Raising A Baby Is A Full-Time Job

To set the scene: my husband and I were chatting over dinner about how I was feeling burnt out with everything going on, and at one point I said “I least when you go to work, you only have one job—I’ve got three.” You see, I run my business out of my home. I also parent a toddler full-time. And due to the pandemic closures, I took on a day-job working from home. Don’t ask
04Jan

New Year, Same Pandemic, Same Me

As much as we have high hopes for 2021, we start it off the same way we finished 2020: in lockdown, trapped in the “safety” of our own home, feeling the opposite of homesick. Small businesses closed while big box stores thrive, parents going insane working from home feeling worked to the bone, children feeling isolated and confused, most of us clinging to hope for dear life waiting for all of this to be over.
26Dec

Christmas 2020 – Taking a Break From Traditions

This year may have thrown a wrench in our holiday plans, we celebrated Christmas as a family of three, and this year little miss was excited to be able to open some gifts. While it was different in so many ways and many of our traditions were put on hold, we did get to enjoy the food ones! Since the studio is on lockdown for a minimum of two weeks this year (thanks pandemic!), I
22Dec

Accidental Vacation

As if 2020 hadn’t caused enough craziness and unpredictable drama, life handed me an accidental “vacation” this past week when we found ourselves without internet for EIGHT entire days—a work deferral as I call it. I know I’ve been living on the she of burnout for a big part of this year, but this was the worst possible time it could have happened. I was knee-deep in client print orders, onboarding a handful of clients,
03Dec

The Dark Side of Mom Guilt

I often find myself feeling guilty of *something* almost every day and after a while it becomes too much to bear and I break down. And not just screaming back at my toddler when she is in the middle of a tantrum, but full-blown tears of feeling useless and like a terrible mother, for being stuck in this uncontrollable situation (cranky toddler + pandemic isolation and fear). I really wish it weren’t there case, but
12Nov

Into The Woods, We Go

With the beautiful weather that we’ve had this week, we were able to go play in the woods without worrying about snow gear and it made is so much more fun. I even brought along the big camera to capture some end of season memories of our forest school (we don’t go nearly as much in the winter!), and we even stumbled upon an empty corn field. This girl loves her outdoors time! Until our
09Nov

The Opposite Of Homesick

Is there such a thing as the opposite of being homesick? If so, that’s what I am. I don’t know about you, but I am not okay. I’ve been powering through these last several months, with the hope that things will get better, but they haven’t, and it’s finally hitting me. HARD. I am talking daily breakdowns, snapping at everything, unable to appreciate things because all I feel is rage and sadness, and it feels
02Nov

When Experiences Matter Most | Halloween 2020

Halloween might look a little different around here this year because of the city-wide ban on trick or treating, but that doesn’t mean everything is cancelled! Heck, most of 2020 has looked a little different because of the pandemic! But just because a wrench has been thrown into our plans, doesn’t mean we can’t pivot and make the best of it. So, while we have always been a family who prefers experiences over ‘things’, this
14Oct

The meal delivery service for babies

I knew from the beginning that I only wanted to give my kiddo homemade food. Well, as much as possible because who are we kidding!? When we were thrown the added challenge of dealing with her additional allergies (household total of nuts, soy, legumes, dairy, and non-baked eggs), it really meant that we NEEDED to only give her homemade items to make sure she was safe. Yes, it is work to make her food, BUT
03Oct

Wanting Space Doesn’t Make You A Bad Parent

As a parent, you love your child(ren). It doesn’t always come right away, but it grows more and more everyday. Even days where you consider hiding in the closet just to get a break. The unconditional love that most often accompanies motherhood is one of the strongest bonds you will ever know, BUT sometimes mama just needs a break. And that’s okay! Non-parents may give you the side-eye while saying “you chose to be a
17Sep

The One Move That Saved My Business

Let me tell you about that time where I forgot to bring important documents and photos with me on a CEO Vacation and was about to miss a career make-or-break deadline. Yes, me, the queen of planning forgot an important deadline. Shit! Well, shit happens, but it just proves that to-do lists are life and you absolutely need to have one (or equivalent) to survive being your own boss. And life in general, if I
28Aug

The Two Week Wait Sucks

⁣We weren’t going to say anything until we were pregnant and had the chance to inform family, but this thing is—you ARE a kind of family for me. You’re here with me every day as I tell my story, as I share the good and the bad, and this is a part of that. So here it is—here is this big news. It’s official: we are trying for baby number two! the ups and downs
22Aug

The CEO Vacation

Let’s be real: entrepreneurs don’t really take vacations. Well, we totally could, but with the unfortunate sense of entitlement these days, people move on to the next business isf they don’t hear back within a day or so. It is sad, but unless people already know and love you, they tend not to wait. Thus the “CEO Vacation” was born, where you don’t schedule any specific work time, but you make sure to check your
09Aug

Roadtrip With A Toddler

Roadtrips are only glamourous when you’re travelling with friends, and when none of the passengers are children. Sorry, not sorry–it’s true! I mean, I kneeeew that travelling by car with a toddler for a 9 hour drive was going to be a challenge, but I guess my hopes and dreams hid the reality of how much a shit-show it was going to be. And how much longer it was going to take… The first couple
30Jul

The Tell All Post: Menstrual Cups & Period Panties

This is it, the post you’ve been waiting for. Okay, maybe not, but I’d like to think so! In case you’re new to the party, I’ve been collecting a few items over the last couple of months to transition from menstrual pads to something less contstant-yuck. Yes, that’s the technical word and I’m sticking to it! And I must say, this is the first time in my entire life that I was actually looking forward
21Jul

Yes, I have a great baby—but luck has nothing to do with it!

I am constantly told that I am so lucky. Lucky for having such a good baby. Lucky that she never cries. Lucky that she communicates so well. Lucky that she is so eats so well. Excuse me, but luck has nothing to do with it! She rarely cries in public because I do my darn best to prevent it: I feed her when she says she’s hungry, I give her a drink when she says
13Jul

How A Pandemic Changes Your Work From Home Life

I’ve been a work-from-home-boss for years before the pandemic (hipster moment!) and the only thing that has changed my routine and business more was the birth of my child. Now with these two big players, my life as a boss has been flipped upside down, but in true mama fashion — I’m making it work! With childcare bring ripped from my grasp — not just daycare but friends and family too! — my schedule and
14Jun

My First Period With a Menstrual Cup

Definitely not a blog post I ever thought I would be writing, but here we are, ready to deep dive into personal territory and discuss all things periods. Which means you probably never heard me talk about my experience with my actual first period, at the ripe age of 11. Actually, a few weeks shy of. Beautiful! Oh, and that my mother was nowhere to be found so it was actually my dad who explained
06May

Chocolate Mug Cake – Dairy, Egg & Nut-Free

For the past year, I have been learning to deal with the added restrictions and allergies of feeding my daughter. I began on the journey of adapting recipes that were baby-friendly, and also free from 5 of the most common allergens: nuts, dairy, soy, eggs and legumes. Keeping in mind that baby-friendly also means sugar-free. If you loved the banana muffins recipe I published a few months ago, you are going to want to add this one to your try list!

24Apr

Supporting Small Businesses Is Easier Than You Think

A wrote this a while back as an Instagram post, in fact I reference this topic all of the time here and there, but especially given the wordly situation right now, it deserves to be highlighted as it’s very own post. Supporting small businesses is easier than you think. And no, you don’t need to spend money to do it, it just helps that much more! View this post on Instagram As we packed up
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WELCOME TO THE BOSS MAMA DIARIES

Discussing the daily wins and struggles of being a work-from-home boss trying to raise a business and a baby at the same time, amidst the family adventures, while also trying to feed a household full of allergies.

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Boss. Wife. Allergy Mama.
Work-From-Home-Mom Life 🇨🇦
Pro 📷 at @purenaturalnewborn & @stephaniedemontignyphotog
🍲 #babyfoodsadultsactuallywanttoeat

Stephanie de Montigny


Little miss is loving all of the snow this week an
Little miss is loving all of the snow this week and I can actually relate for once! ⠀
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I took time off from most of my responsibilities this week and it meant I was able to spend quality time with her, for both of us. This week has reminded me how much I actually enjoy my daughter's company when my brain isn't elsewhere, and that I should purposely be scheduling time to have fun with her in addition to the work time I am constantly squeezing in. I have been so much happier with it, and nobody feels neglected! ⠀
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How often do you remember to actually schedule in FUN time for yourself?⠀
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#thedemontignyadventures #babysnowsuit #babysnowpants #babysnowfun #toddlersnowsuit #toddlersnowpants #onekidouterwear #toddlermittens #roadcoat #roadcoatcuties #carseatsafecoat #carseatsafejacket #ottawamom #canadianmom #snowgear #supportsmallbusinesses #shopsmall #happy_mamahood #bossmamadiaries #workfromhomelife #workingmomlife⠀
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⁣📷 : @stephaniedemontignyphotog (filter added) --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com


Oh my sweet baby girl, how small you once were! 💕 ⠀
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#thedaysareshort #mysweetbabygirl #shesatoddlernow #thedemontignyadventures #purenaturalnewborn #ottawanewborn #girlmom #ottawamom #canadianmom #heymama_love⠀
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⁣📷 : @purenaturalnewborn (filter added, swipe for original)

To set the scene: we were chatting over dinner abo
To set the scene: we were chatting over dinner about how I was feeling burnt out and at one point I said "I least when you go to work, you only have one job—I've got three." ⠀
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You see, I run my business out of my home. I also parent a toddler full-time. And due to the pandemic closures, I took on a day-job working from home. Don't ask me why—I truly don't know what I was thinking. So now I have three full-time jobs to do while husband is working outside of the house as an essential worker. ⠀
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Obviously he heard what he wanted to hear and took my statement to mean that he had it easy at his labourious job. "If you count by as a job then I can too." Ugh. NOPE! Does he have it easy? No. Does he have it easiER? YES! Because when he goes to work, he has ONE job. I stay home and have THREE jobs to do. And yes, I include the baby as a job otherwise she would die (exaggeration, but true). I told him to imagine trying to do his job while watching little miss and he said he couldn't—he wouldn't be able to do half the things he needs to. Exactly! When he is home and on baby-duty while I work, absolutely that is your job—but again, your ONE job (no matter how hard she makes it that day). ⠀
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The pressure put upon work-from-home parents to simultaneously work the job AND take care of their child(ren) is insane. It is totally doable when you run your own business because you dictate when you work, how often you work, and turnaround times are adjusted accordingly (and I love doing it!). However, when an outside employer is dictating it all, with an impossible level of productivity, it becomes such a heavy burden to carry. Especially now with all of the added stress, anxiety and responsibilities that the pandemic has brought. If you put too much weight on something, no matter how strong, it WILL break. ⠀
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What job(s) are YOU working from home these days?⠀
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#momlife #dumbthingshusbandssay #motherhoodquotes #motherhoodthroughletterboards #letterboardquotes #mondayzmhe #mondaze #workfromhomemom #momboss #bossmamadiaries #bossmamacollective #momlife #workfromhomelife ⠀
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⁣📷 --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com ⠀

I have decided to live life like a toddler plays a
I have decided to live life like a toddler plays a board game. No rules, no expectations, have fun, and try not to break anything. It's only been a couple of days, but I have been my happiest and care-free self in almost a year, and there is no looking back. Enjoy the days with my little girl, work when I want, and slowly forget that the pandemic has taken so much from me. But not my mental freedom; I've taken that back. ⠀
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If money and guilt were out of the picture, what would you do to make yourself happy?⠀
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#toddlergames #popit #fidgettoy #sensorytoy #bubblepopit #betterthanbubblewrap #bossmama #bossmamadiaries #workfromhomelife #workfromhomemom #bossmamamindset #happyxmama #happymama #canadianmom #ottawamom ⠀
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⁣📷 --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com ⠀

ONE YEAR LATER. So many emotions. My baby isn't a
ONE YEAR LATER. So many emotions. My baby isn't a baby anymore. She's this tiny human with a big personality and I love her even more than I ever thought possible, in a way I never knew I could love. The fear and anxiety over her happiness and safety, the joy and immense pleasure of seeing her smile and hearing her laugh, the bliss and comfort of holding her snuggling body in my arms. Magical.⠀
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This is a recreation of one of the photos I took during her first year to document what day to day life was like: the love and admiration, the fatigue and sleeplessness, the calm in the chaos. It depicted how I felt perfectly and it's still one of my favourites, so I decided to commemorate this moment by recreating a photo that rings true to how much has and has not changed in the past year. Literally; that’s the exact same onesie on little miss! > >  S W I P E > >  to see last year's portrait! ⠀
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Do you do annual photos with your baby?⠀
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#thisismotherhood #momlife #embracethechaos #toddlerlife #normalizerealmotherhood #loveemotherhood #ottawamom #bossmama #momboss #bossmom #bossmamadiaries⠀
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⁣📷 : @stephaniedemontignyphotog (filter added) --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com

We were really hoping to be able to get this kid a
We were really hoping to be able to get this kid a play date for her birthday, but with the lock down and stay at home order it had become very clear this isn’t going to happen anytime soon. So we don’t get her hopes up (or mine!) and make sure that she totally loves our family fun dates, even if it means we are confined to the backyard. ☃️⠀
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It’s especially helpful when we’ve got gear that keeps her warm the entire time from head to town AND a spare set in case she inevitably finds the wet melted ice. ❄️
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Check out @onekidouterwear for functional and stylish winter gear from snow pants to mittens, and CARSEAT SAFE coats and snowsuits. Yup, I said car seat safe! CPST approved!! Go ahead and use the discount code 10%BOSSMAMA to save on your order and let the products speak for themselves!⠀
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#thedemontignyadventures #babysnowsuit #babysnowpants #babysfirstsnowfun #toddlersnowsuit #toddlersnowpants #onekidouterwear #toddlermittens #roadcoat #roadcoatcuties #carseatsafecoat #carseatsafejacket #ottawamom #canadianmom #snowgear #supportsmallbusinesses #shopsmall #momlife #mamalife_ftw #dadlife #ottawadad ⠀
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⁣📷 --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com

Another day, another cold cup of mom fuel. ⠀
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Another day, another cold cup of mom fuel. ⠀
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I love my kid, I truly do. What I DON'T love is being expected to stay strong through this entire ordeal all while being spread out thinner than dollar store panties. You see, I have a toddler to take care of (totally cool), and a business to run (yup, still cool, work while she sleeps), and a full-time job (virtual, but holy crap!), and no help with childcare since hubby is frontline worker with unpredictable hours most of the time. ⠀
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As you probably assumed correctly, the little time I had for myself before is non-existent now, I rarely get to spend quality time with my husband, and our house looks like it's been taken over by gremlins after midnight. ⠀
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I know it's normal, I know it's common, I know it's nothing to be ashamed of, I know—in theory. But it's really exhausting to need to stay strong all the time and remind myself that the chaos will end soon, because I have been telling myself this for almost a year. ⠀
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What keeps YOU going these days? We could all use some inspiration (or at least some company in misery!).⠀
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#momfuel #coldcoffee #momlife #anothercoldcupofcoffee #canadianmom #ottawamom #raedunnmug #hotmessmama #bossmomlife #thisismotherhood #motherhood123 #bossmama #bossmamadiaries #toddlermom ⠀
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⁣📷 --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com

My portrait studio was forced to closed again with
My portrait studio was forced to closed again with this most recent lockdown, so this weekend I took the opportunity to go through all of my props and backdrops and retire anything that hasn't been used since I moved in three years ago. It's a little sad to see things go, but they are going to new homes where people love colour and I get more space so it's a good thing.⠀
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Do you love to purge? Or are you more of a hoarder? I am someone who must keep everything until the urge strikes and then I sell/donate all the things... ⠀
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#findthegood #findthesilverlining #workfromhomemom #workfromhomelife #canadianmom #ottawamom #lifeofaphotographer #ottawanewbornphotographer #bossmamadiaries #mondayxmhe #snacktime #toddlersnacks ⠀
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⁣📷 --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com

When given the chance, babies and toddlers almost
When given the chance, babies and toddlers almost always choose the unconventional item over an actual toy: a remote, a set of keys, reading glasses, thermometers, you name it, and let's not overlook the infamous cardboard box. ⠀
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Why that is I will never truly know, but I think we adults need to take a page from their book and let our imagination and instincts guide us through life every once in a while. If they can imagine they are in a rocket ship gliding through space or that a dry paper box is literally washing their clothes and feel pure joy, why can't we adults even try? Logic is a learned skill, so let's relearn to let go of it when we need to and just embrace the joy that comes with blissful imagination. ⠀
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Let's pull up a lounge chair, crank the space heater, put on a wave soundtrack, spray our hair with saltwater, put some sunglasses and our bathing suits on, and just lay there for 20 minutes and imagine ourselves to be on the beach we long to visit. Hate the beach? Pick a different scenario and act it out, imagine you are actually there and enjoy that [even if only temporary] JOY. ⠀
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What is something you miss the most from pre-pandemic days that you would give anything to do again? (other than hugs—those have to wait)⠀
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#pandemicblues #covidcrazy #imaginationstation #kidsandtheirtoys #toddlertoys #carboardboxtoy #theplacesyouwillgo #liveinthemoment #imaginationmakestheworldgoround #kidsandcardboardboxes #themagicofboxes #ottawamom #canadianmom #momblogger #sundayxfundays #sundayfunday⠀
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⁣📷 --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com

Many of you asked about the beans activity in my s
Many of you asked about the beans activity in my stories recently, so I figured I would take the opportunity to share since it really is so simple. ⠀
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We use an old muffin tin that would otherwise have been trashed (spent one too many nights soaking in the sink—oops!), a small pack of mixed dried beans from the grocery store, and a set of small wooden spice scoops (you could totally just use regular spoons). ⠀
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We set her up on the floor, encourage colour and size sorting, counting, and hand-eye-coordination by scooping from one receptacle to the next (they are stored in a small recycled juice container—which doubles as a second activity once they are put away >> SWIPE for the video).⠀
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They have fun, they learn, and you get 10 minutes to yourself without being climbed upon like a human jungle gym. You still have to supervise because most kids will try to eat them, but if they sneak in a handful over the course of the hour (YES I GOT AN HOUR ONCE!), it's all good because it's taste-safe. Now go enjoy your half-freedom 🙌🏻 ⠀
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#toddleractivities #toddlerfun #toddlerslearning #sensoryplay #sensoryplayideas #mombreak #coffeebreak #ottawamom #canadianmom #toddlerbeans #freeplay #beansbeansthemagicalfruit ⠀
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⁣📷 --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com ⠀

Little miss finally has hair! It's not quite to th
Little miss finally has hair! It's not quite to the point where I can put bows or scrunchies in yet, but this leftover braces elastic did the trick for the afternoon ⠀
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It's the little things that count! What is a highlight from YOUR week?⠀
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#toddlerhair #toddlerbun #babyhairismagical #toddlersgrowsofast #letthembelittle #bappybabies #happyymamas #raisingkindhumans #ottawamom ⠀
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⁣📷 --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com ⠀

As much as we have high hopes for 2021, we start i
As much as we have high hopes for 2021, we start it off the same way we finished 2020: in lockdown, trapped in the “safety” of our own home. Small businesses closed while big box stores thrive, parents going insane working from home feeling worked to the bone, children feeling isolated and confused, most of us clinging to hope for dear life waiting for all of this to be over.⠀
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But have we really stopped to think about what that truly means? OVER. It has been projected that mask-wearing will last into the next two to three years, and honestly I don’t even care if it means that I will be able to see my friends and embrace my family and “go out”, whatever that means anymore. It is so much more than just wanting to go to a conventionally “fun” event or amusement park or whatever, it is about refusing to continuously be deprived of such basic things that I previously took for granted like a play date, a friendly chat over coffee, or an extended family dinner.⠀
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More than anything I want my daughter to be able to run up to someone she will learn to call a friend without me having to literally hold her back out of fear in the same way I would from an oncoming vehicle. It pains my heart to see her disappointment, even if only for a second, I am even in tears writing about it. She is turning two this month and she literally has no friends, the only family she knows outside of her home is through a tiny screen, and there is nothing I can do about it. ⠀
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I can live with masks, I can live with small gatherings only, I can even live with the fact that my business will never be the same as it was before, but what I cannot live with is this constant feeling of deprivation and longing. It comes to be too much most days. I like to think I will be fine, but the guilt and fear that keeps piling on makes it more and more difficult to keep convincing myself—but I continue.⠀
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Keep your chin up, keep your hopes up, and embrace the break downs when they happen—it means you can take time to FEEL all the things and lift yourself up again to keep going, one day at a time.⠀
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#pandemicblues #covidcrazy #hindsightis2020 #workfromhomemom #unpluggedmummas #bossmamadiaries #canadianmom


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