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Meet Stephanie from New Jersey!

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Everyone give a very warm welcome to Stephanie! How are you feeling today mama? 

I’m feeling well, and a bit anxious with my sons homework assignments. 

How many children do you have? 

1 son and he is 5 years old. 

How old were you when you had your first child?

23

Do you remember your initial reaction when you found out you were pregnant?

I was in shock and very scared, I instantly burst into tears.  

What first comes to mind when you think of mental health? 

A lifelong journey of taking care of your mind and well being. 

Do you suffer from any mental illnesses yourself?   

I have dealt with depression and anxiety for most of my life.  

How was your mental health before you became a mama? How has motherhood changed or improved your mental health?

Motherhood and taking care of yourself is always a challenge, I had the baby blues for a while and hid it for a while because I was worried about the stigma. I started therapy when my son was 3 years old. 

Do you practice self-care? 

Yes, I do small things for myself here and there. meditation, cooking for myself, being out in the sun, adding candles and music to my baths and not restricting my chocolate intake. 

Do you have any stories you’d like to share?

I have so many stories but my favorite is when I was walking in the gothic quarter with my son in Barcelona and watching him play with the local children despite the language barrier. 

Advice for other mamas?  

Make sure you establish a mommy tribe, motherhood can be extremely isolating and having a cool tribe is ESSENTIAL for keeping your mental health in a good place. Don’t be shy to tell anyone and speak up, there are people to help you. 

And don’t forget…

Enjoy the journey and have fun, parenting can be hard at times but it is such a blessing to watch children grow up. 

Let’s lighten it up!

What are some of your favorite family activities?  

Cooking for my loved ones, watching traveling shows, hiking with friends, going to the beach, traveling the world and exploring the local markets, going to museums, painting.

What’s the cutest thing your kid has done?

Tells me he loves me and gives me hugs.  

What are some of your favorite comfort foods?

Smothered chicken on mashed potatoes, pollo guisado con arroz y frijoles, pupusas, chicken tangine with cous cous, roasted chicken on potatoes, and pasta alla vongole.

Tell us your go-to song at the moment!

Feels- Giraffage

What’s one thing you want to do when this pandemic ends?

Go to Spain and south of Italy get a monthly rental and go learn to cook new recipes. 

Do you have any pets?

No pets just a beta fish named Jerome!

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Interested in being interviewed for Mothers & Mental Health?

Your voice and your story matter. Send me an email at tianiangelax@gmail.com with the subject INTERVIEW and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

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As always, thanks so much for reading! Questions, comments, and feedback are always welcome. If you enjoyed this post, please comment, like and share! Make sure to check out my Instagram; @tianiangela_ and my latest video on Youtube💋