We love our Rio Grande Valley Moms Blog contributors, and we want you to get to know them as well! We range from first-time moms to moms of multiples. We stay at home, work at home and work away from the home. Some of us are born and raised in the RGV, and others only just realized how much they love it here!
So sit back, grab a pumpkin spice latte (or your beverage of choice!) and get to know our contributor Claudia. You can also follow along today as she takes over our RGVMB Instagram (@rgvmomsblog)!
Q: Tell us about your family.
A: We are a family of 3: Romeo (hubby), Azariah (son), and me. My husband is a librarian and spends most of his time thinking of ways to incorporate literature or
fun activities into our schedules. I volunteer my time at a local archive. I spend my time with lots of interesting tidbits of history. I love to look for ways to incorporate history and nature parks into our schedules. Our son is just along for the ride.
Q: If you know me at all, you know I like:
A: coffee and silence in the morning.
Q: What kid’s movie or TV show will you keep watching, even when your kids leave the room?
A: Coco! I can watch Coco with or without my child present and I have no regrets. As far as TV shows, I will definitely watch Daniel Tiger, Sid the Science Kid, or Peg + Cat. All shows are on PBS, and they’re really good. Daniel Tiger is modeled after Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, which I grew up watching as a child. Sid the Science Kid and Peg + Cat focus on science and math for kids, but in interesting ways. I find myself learning along with my son. You should definitely give these shows a try.
Q: What’s one pre-baby idea that you had about motherhood that you have since thrown out the window?
A: Breastfeeding! My son did not latch on properly for about a month. I also promised I wouldn’t breastfeed after 6 months…I breastfed for 2 1/2 years. I only weaned my son off the breast because I was on my last semester of grad school and I had to focus on my comprehensive exam.
Q: What’s your least favorite household chore?
A: My least favorite chore has to be cleaning the vacuum. I have a shark robot vacuum that does all the sweeping/vacuuming for me. I clean the brushes after every vacuum and the amount of hair that is cleaned off that thing is ridiculous! I just don’t understand how so much of my hair is on the vacuum. Why can’t my hair stay on my head??
Q: What one piece of encouragement would you give to first-time moms?
A: It’s totally ok to pick up your child when they cry. Don’t you feel satisfied when you’re feeling sad/lonely and someone you love hugs and kisses you? You can’t over-love a child. Also, you’re doing a sensational job! Nobody can parent like you.
Q: What is one sentence/value/thought that you repeatedly use and hope has lasting power on your kids?
A: “Don’t forget to be brave.” I tell my son this daily. He struggles with anxiety and gets really nervous to ask for help or questions in general. I hope by telling him to be brave it reminds him that he has the courage within him to conquer even the scariest of tasks.
