Talking Motherhood with Shameka "Ms.Vee" Thompson

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Hi Shameka can you tell us a little about where you're from? I, as well as my parents, are of the USA. Most of my known cultural heritage is American, generally from the south, Georgia and South Carolina states. My Maternal grandfather was full-blooded Cherokee tribe and my Paternal grandmother was a decedent of the Blackfoot tribe. I was born in and am originally from Brooklyn, New York. My parents and I moved to Orlando, Florida 11 years and are still currently residing here.

You're an entrepreneur and a mother, how do you juggle the two successfully?

It truly is a juggling act! My children are 7 and 2 years old. Not to mention, I launched my business shortly after having my youngest which is something most people would view as insane in and of itself, a new baby and a new business??? I literally take things one day, one priority and one task at a time because if I don't I will completely burn myself out. My children are my number one priority, my greatest motivation and distraction. As much as I want to provide for and be able to take care of them, I also wanted to make sure I was available to them during these crucial stages in their development. Now, about juggling the two successfully...Well, it really does depend on how you measure "success", which is in constant state flux for me. I am a still a very new entrepreneur, only been in for 2 years after starting in direct sales within the Romance Industry in August of 2014. There is a lot that I am still learning, not only about being a business owner, but also about myself, especially where the children are concerned. Right now, I have no choice but to measure my success based on the stability I can provide for my children and my level of personal and professional growth because I am still growing my business and the money is not always there.

What is the biggest thing that becoming a mother has taught you?

Being a mother has definitely taught me more about internalizing a higher level of accountability. Our young take in so much more from what they see us do than anything that we could ever say. We must therefore be very very careful with our existence and be diligent about how we choose to lead our lives. We always have an audience even when we think they are not watching or paying attention. I look at it like a form of programming. After becoming a parent myself, I discovered thoughts, feeling and perceptions that I took on from my own parents that at this point in my life and regarding life general were not very useful or helpful in getting me any closer to where I want be. As a result, I adopted the attitude of "I need to be striving to become the type of person that I am raising my children to be." I have learned the difference between simply living and being a living example.

We are our children's greatest teachers, but likewise children are ours. What are the most profound things your children have taught you?

Can I tell you how much I love my little gurus?! LOL My daughter, my lunar maiden, is the oldest, a diva by her own right, extremely animated, dramatic and vocal, but also very caring of others and highly empathetic. She teaches me over and over again that it is okay to be honest about who I am, that I don't need to put on a show to protect others' feelings at the expense of my own, something I painfully struggled with from the time I was her age all the way into adulthood. Now my sun is truly a little fireball and is teaching me how to just have fun again, play, love and laugh, but most importantly, exploring my curiosity. At this young tender age of two, these toddler years, there is very little room for fear, only a burning need to know and learn more! I've missed that in my life and he definitely brought it back!

Are there many differences parenting a boy and a girl?

People say there is, but at this stage I really can't tell if its actual gender differences versus personality differences. Because they are both being raised by me, there are a lot of things that they do and handle similarly, especially where educational and social development are concerned. Very much of the same praises my daughter received when she was a wee one and still receives, my son gets from his daycare providers as well. Then, there are those things like levels of empathy, temperament and general preferences that may differ drastically between them and I have to adjust accordingly. However, I think this happens with any set of children or siblings. You can't necessarily parent each child in the 100% same exact manner, but they definitely keep me on my toes!

What would your advise be to any women who are not enjoying motherhood?

For my sis-stars not enjoying motherhood, I would advise only two things. First and foremost I want them to know that it's okay if life does not feel like a party right now, or most of the time! In truth, motherhood is not always enjoyable. That's the part that makes motherhood and parenting in general so challenging. It's how we handle the hard times that really set us apart. I recently saw that new movie "Bad Moms" and not only do highly recommend seeing it, I totally agree with the most obvious lesson in the movie which is to GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK!!! As mothers, from the beginning we've sacrificed our very being to ensure safe passage and well-being of our children into this world. This idea of perfection or of being a perfect mother, who can do it all, have it all and provide it all is entirely too much pressure and completely unrealistic. We will stress ourselves out about things that our children aren't remotely concerned about. If you don't, believe me, ask them what they want or expect from you? You'll find that what's deeply important to them, because they live in the moment, is drastically different from what we assign levels of importance to. Secondly, and in accordance with my first piece of advise, do the best you can with whatever resources you have available to you and remain open to accepting help, like the friend or church member who always offers to babysit or financial assistance (if only you would ask) as well as moral support from others. Remember that as a mother your lineage is long and strong...we have given birth to nations and therefore it is theoretically impossible for us to have to go this journey alone. If your don't have a support system, reach out and create one.

How has motherhood enriched your life?

See, that's the thing. Motherhood has not enriched my life. Motherhood IS my life! Though one has to be very careful not to forget or lose the sense of her inner most self to the role and many hats we where as a mother, being a mother is an experience, a form of existence that is, to me, so divine, intricate and subversive that it adds a deeper purpose and meaning to both the aspects of my life that had to no meaning and those I thought I already had one, not to mention, the divine beauty of creation! I've gone from objectively observing creation to seeing and experiencing myself as divines creative energy. Likewise, as I continue to raise my children, who go through many profound changes and stages of growth and development, endlessly becoming and recreating themselves, I also see them, as I do most everyone now, as divine creative energy too.

StartFragmentShameka "Ms. Vee" Thompson Your Pure Romance ConsultantEndFragment

StartFragmentWebsite: www.ThePassionFilledLife.comEndFragment

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