Here are the TOP 5 TIPS I learned over the Past 7 Years that work hands down to make your life easier.
Rule #1 Thou Shalt Recognize Life Will Never Be The Same!
You were HAWT AND FABULOUS B4 that Kid....I get it, I know....however, there will become a time, where you will realize that you ARE STILL HAWT AND FABULOUS WITH THE DAMN KID! So, embrace that ISH! lol, Your life and priorities are completely different know that you are providing for your little one on your own. So, all the fabulous parties, social outings, and conferences, date nights, all that stuff will have to be put on hold while you restructure your life and focus on the needs of your kid. When you become a HAWT Mami, you are no longer first, the needs of your child are. So, focus on rebuilding your life around the two of you and then you will notice as time goes on life will become easier to manage. The first year of life is so very important, so your focus should be giving your little all the love, nourishment, and support. I relocated to a brand new city and stayed at home with my son the first year of his life even though I was strapped tight financially. I had saved enough to last me several months considering the fact that I knew I may not want to return to work immediately. In doing that, I was able to give him everything he needed while we adjusted to our new life in the new city. We ended up having more than enough until I was ready to return back to work. I did have to pinch pennies. And, I did eventually finish navigating through the courts for child support. But, those first few months were tight. And, we made it out just fine. with that being said, this lead me to my next point.
Rule #2 Thou Shalt Pinch A Damn Penny****COINS, HUNNIE COINS***
When you become a HAWT Mami every penny counts, because they have so many needs. You don't have to be cheap, however you have to be financially conscious of every penny that you have. In the process of that you want to slowly build up an emergency fund for those unexpected occurrences that happen b/c trust me, there will ALWAYS be Something Unexpected (i.e. trips to the dr that may turn into a week long hospital stay, getting sick, etc.)
Rule #3 Thou Shalt Build a Support System!
Live close to a support system (i.e. family, friends, college alum, sorority sisters, church members etc). I have traveled a great deal over the past 3 years with my career, and I have found the cities that were most memorable and worked best for my lifestyle were the ones who provides some type of support for my lifestyle. Its very challenging to go to new cities constantly traveling for work, so I always made sure that I utilized my network and the opportunity to reconnect with family and friends I had loss touch with through the years. It create new opportunities for revived relationships to grow and begin a new chapter. Often times, most of my friends and family had started having little ones around the same time i did, so that made it even better because now there was a chance for the whole family to bond with my circle. #WINNING
Rule #4 Thous Shalt Find a Bomb Azz Babysitter
Naaahhh, i'm not talkin about "bomb azz" in Modernista she "snatched" terms. I'm talking about Bomb in the fact that this chic is reliable, available when you need her, has adequate transportation, is responsible, has several reference, cooks, cleans, changes diapers, schedules play dates and takes your kids out (on approved basis of course) when you will be away for long periods of time, and has undergone your rigorous, 3 Interview, 3-4 Reference Check, and thorough background Checks.....Now That's a Bomb AZZ Babysitter!!! You have to give your terms and conditions up front and let them know what you are looking for. I often times find sitters by referrals, other times, i find them when i am at parks and I am observing them interact with a child for an extended period of time, this specifically applies to when I am in affluent areas that are close by. More often times than not, this will be a Mami's helper that watches the kids while she shops and runs errands etc. And, if I like them before they leave, i'll ask them if they are taking on new clients and get their info and put them through the regular screening process. It may sound like a lot, but trust me, you will be OVER PROTECTIVE about who is around your child 24/24....literally.
Rule #5 Thou Shalt Realize Shopping Will Never Be The Same!
Giiiiiiirrrrrllll, if you are used to spending money on Loubous, Jimmy Choos, Steve Madden's, Michael Kors, And J's....i'm here to tell you nothing will hit your wallet like the beautiful joy off bring life into this world! Lol, You know that spectacular effortlessly maintained wardrobe and shoe collection you keep as a young Modernista? Hunnie, wave bye bye to those random shopping sprees jus to look good and cause u feel like it....hunnie BYE! Those days are long gone....you will never again step into a store and think about yourself first. I hate to be the bearer of bad news its just the truth. And, even when you make a shopping trip, purposely, for the sole point of buying yourself clothes you still will be unable to do it.....that whole saying"put yourself first" goes completely out of the door and you will have to remind yourself that you are here to buy clothes for YOU! And, in that moment, you'll walk by something cute, and be like, OMG he/she would look so cute in that...i'm gonna go in here just 4 a sec....and i'm not buying anything, just looking." 30 mins later you come out with bags of stuff thinking how much money you saved and what a great deal that was lol....hunnie BYE!
XOXO