A Discussion For My Ladies

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Information:

I have decided to work on my children’s book series for December, so you might not see me as much as you have been seeing me on CANDID CHICANA blog and DEANNA’S DARK DIARY, just for a little while. Also I’ll resume podcasting for CANDID CHICANA’S CHAT ROOM ,after my project is done. If I have something really important to say, I can make a quick live podcast message.

But I will pop in from time to time to the blog if I have thoughts and reflections or whatever random things come to me. I’ll make small blog posts. Or just to keep you updated on my progress. Maybe that will help me be a little more accountable to my project.

If you do follow me on Facebook then you will be seeing my recurring posts (older articles/content) that are set up to be posted daily as my recycled content. I really want my focus and concentration to be 100% on finally writing my small children’s books series.

A Discussion For My Ladies.

Now, I have some random thoughts that came to me tonight. Pertaining to that, of being a woman. And I’m just wondering if I can open up a dialouge about it. So please leave your thoughts and input in the comments and your opinions, advice, or experience.

I’ve made many life choices that have altered the direction of my life. Some good, others not so much.

One thing that I feel drastically alters a woman’s life is when she gets pregnant. It doesn’t matter whether she’s 15, 19, 21, 25, 35, 40, etc..

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Leandro Cesar Santana

Once a woman becomes a mother, she becomes 100% vetted into rearing her children. Many times abandoning her passions, dreams, or ambitions, to fully devote herself to her children/family.

Often, the partner bails out on them. He abandons this new mom and leaves her to fend for herself and the unborn/newborn child.

Not every partner abandons the pregnant woman, but many do.

So either way this woman, who has now become pregnant, her life is forever permanently altered, with or without a supportive partner beside her.

Ok so when I was 18 years old and in the U.S.Navy, I became pregnant. And this forever altered my future from then on out. It altered my career, my body, my lifestyle choices, my finances, my emotional well being, and more.

Then after he abandoned me during my second pregnancy, my life was altered even more. Because now I was a 21 year old, new mom, of two little girls. It altered my decision making, determined who I dated now, it altered my ambitions, my education and more.

I was still obligated to my 4 year enlistment, but now also as the new mother of these two precious baby girls, abandoned by their father. I would have to learn to be a single parent.

I had to make a big decision. Whether I felt if staying in the military was the best option, or if just finishing my enlistment and moving on with my life was better. I chose to take my honorable discharge and high tale it outta there with my baby girls.

Those were some awful times for me. I struggled so hard. And after 16 years, I’ve yet to receive a phone call from him to check up on his daughter’s, or a letter or anything. My daughter’s went through phases where they asked and begged for him. But they seem to be ok now.

It was difficult for me to navigate motherhood without anyone’s support. But I learned survival quickly. It was do or die.

So then my thoughts are….why are men always looking for their next baby momma? It’s as if they literally go on a search for the best woman to conceive their children. Many of them seem impulsive and in a rush.

It’s not a bad thing that they are looking for a good woman to have their children. It is a bad thing if they don’t want the responsibility that comes with it.

I’m not shittin you! I’ve heard men discussing this. I believe the word they used was pedigree. As in lineage. They don’t want to impregnate just any woman. It has to be a certain woman that fits their mold/standard.

I suppose that would vary from man to man. But my confusion about it is, what traits exactly does this woman need to be the chosen one? And is this woman weak, or strong? Because if he just wants to make the baby but not support it, then I’m confused.

I ask because I remember reading something a long time ago about men’s primal instincts to mate, but I should say procreate, with someone who could give them strong healthy children. They know the scent of the woman they want birthing their children.

So according to “survival of the fittest” philosophy, he will choose a woman he thinks can help him procreate the strongest and healthiest children possible. Also think about how we’ve since evolved, what would that look like today?

I’m just curious to see what women think about this.

Do you believe men search for the strongest female to have their children? Or is she actually weak? Why do you think what you think ?

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Meagan Lynette

And if they are searching for strong women, what determines whether he leaves or stays? Did he leave afterwards because he now thought the woman was weak? Did he leave because he’s a moron? Is she really weak if she stayed to rear the children alone, while he hopped on to more new wives and made more children that he created and then also abandoned?

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Mon Petit Chou Photography

Ok, so thats a lot to think about.

I’m only inquiring, this topic discussion does not mean I hate men, or that I think they are all bad. Many men get with women who already have children and fill that vacant father figure role that needs to be there. And they should be commended for that. They are real hero’s.

I’m just curious what y’all think? Men and women can chime in, but I’m looking for women’s perspectives and thoughts.

Photo Credits: Unsplash

12 Little Known Ways, To Make Magical Memories With Your Children

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“It is not enough to give what we have; we must also give what we are.”

It is during the most mundane part of our day, that we find ourselves lost in the monotony of life. We wake up, we go to work, and we take care of the family in between. We repeat this vicious cycle: Wake up. Go to work. Go home. Go to bed. Wake up. Do it all over again. Before you know it, the year has passed. Then two years zoom by. Astonishingly, the next thing you know, 2 years turns to 7. Eventually an entire decade flashes by!

As you sit there, reflecting over how the time has slipped away from you, and thinking to yourself,

“Where has the time gone?”

Before you have time to start mulling over your many regrets, missed opportunities, and failures, instead glance over at your growing munchkins! Sit there and observe every little intricate detail about them. Admire their growing little bodies. They are your life. They are your treasure. They are your most valuable possession! Savor this life!

Parents, do not allow the weight of the world to poison you! Eh! We have daily battles. Much to our dismay, our little rugrats can become a nuisance, compounding to our ever present stress. Additionally, we become burdened with bills and problems. Every day the stress snowballs out of our control. Consequently, during these trials, we fail to realize that our children just want to play with us. They don’t understand job layoffs, divorces, and other adult catastrophes. Children want to know they are loved and protected.

Therefore, rid yourself from the urge to solve all of life’s problems overnight, and just spend time with your children. If there is anything I know for sure, it’s that children will remember whether you had time for them. My parents were dirt poor and yet they always made time for us. Furthermore, it didn’t matter to me one bit that we lived in an efficiency rather than a fancy house. It mattered to me that my mami always figured out how to have a hot meal for us. Even when she had to use a propane tank to cook our meals. Yes! A propane tank! Lord knows I am thankful for frijoles y tortillas. I’m a proud frijolera!

Loving parents are never too PROUD to do whatever it takes to PROVIDE for their children. Laboriosly, they research for how to retrieve the things the family desperately needs. God just blesses parents with that cadaver dog instinct. It’s in their DNA. They can find all of their needs. They make a way! Therefore, do not worry about the upcoming winter and all of the seasonal stress, and the bills. Do not panic because the kids are growing like weeds and need new clothes. Rest easy in the knowledge that everything will be ok. It always is. Christmas will be here before you know it, and if you just REMEMBER these 12 ways to make magical memories with your children, it just might relieve some of that seasonal stress.

  1. Learn Together- Help them with School Work And Or Homeschooling
  2. Worship God Together- At Home, Church, In the Car, Anywhere
  3. Devotional Times- Family Prayers, Reading Bible Together, Studying & Discussing The Word Of God, Memorizing Scriptures
  4. Playing- Watching the children play, and or joining them, Build Forts, Castles, Pretend Play
  5. Singing- Music is magical! Let them sing. Sing with them. Invite the neighbors too!
  6. Gardening- Grow things together: Plants, Veggies, Fruits, Flowers, whatever!!!
  7. Eating- Eat together as a family. For a more magical memory, set the table and enjoy dinner at the family table together.
  8. Read- Read books to them. Let them read books to you. Read books to each other. Invite the grandparents to read to them. Record those memories on video and make it a family keepsake/heirloom.
  9. Current Events- Have conversations with your children about what is going on in the world. Let’s bring up kids who give a damn! They really are our future.
  10. Movie Night- Family Flicks & Popcorn Night (My personal favorite and one I plan to implement weekly this year)
  11. Baking/Cooking- Cook together. Bake together. And teach them to share with the less fortunate. Feed someone who is hungry.
  12. Start A Family Business- Teach them about budgeting money, finances, and being good stewards.

Now, don’t fret about tomorrow my friends. Worry only about today. God Be With You!

The more love we share with everyone, the more loveable we become

Quotations Taken From:

Anthony, Robert Dr. THINK BIG, A Think Collection, Berkley 1999

Mis Padres, My Parents!

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After I got home from work the other night, I called my mami. Earlier that day I had been having a rough time. I had many things troubling me. So I told her the details of my day and asked her some questions.

I was hoping that she could offer some encouragement and would have some input for me. So I was a little crushed when she just responded,

“I don’t know mija“.

There was an awkward silence after her response. I just smiled though because it was ok. I know she’s still grieving the loss of my papi (daddy).

I wasn’t crushed because she didn’t have an awnser, but because I really just needed reassuring responses. Or better yet if I could just have one more of those candid conversations I used to have with mi papi.

Mi papi would have these deep, thought provoking replies. He always knew just what to say.There was never a right or wrong answer. He just always had a well thought out message. His wisdom probably credited to the life experiences he had.

As I previously shared in my bio page post, I lost mi papi in July. My dad somehow knew that I didn’t really need an answer to these questions (because there is no ONE awnser). He knew I just needed to engage in a philosophical conversation. He was brilliant at helping me to understand “life”. Gosh I miss him so much! I still cry everyday.

I feel like I am constantly trying to talk about him. I’m always finding any reason to bring him up (So if it’s annoying, I apologize). Hopefully, what I say is inspiring and not irritating.

Now don’t get me wrong about my mom. She’s smart too. I call her a “Jane of all trades”. She is skilled in many ways. She’s entrepreneurial. She DIY’s and I’m not only talking about crafts and glue gun type. I’m talking about ordering Auto Zone and Oreilys Auto Parts kind and being her own mechanic. She really has superhero strengths 💪.

My mother is my only living parent now, so I will be scrutinizing everything she does and how she does it (And being the nerd that I am, I’ll probably write notes to help me remember for future reference). Not in a negative and critical sense but just in an awe and respectful sense.

It brings a smile to my face, knowing that I see a combination of the traits of both my parents in myself. I feel like I inherited mi papi’s intellectual and philosophical curiosity and mi mami’s creativity and entrepeneurial gusto.

During their formative years, my parents both dropped out of middle school; my dad in Mexico, and my mom in America. I wish I would have inquired a little more about their extenuating circumstances. I’m sure we talked about it some. I regret not having written any of it down, for my memory fails me now.

I now have to fill that vacant space someway. I have to find other people who are willing to have these candid conversations with me. That’s hard to do in this day in age because everyone is busy in life, or caught up on social media such as Facebook (Whom I myself have become victim to frequently).

Perhaps this blog I’ve created will be a little outlet, and a way to fill that vacancy. I enjoy using my creativity to challenge myself in this way. I love words and writing. I’m on a learning adventure everyday of my life. I meet people with incredible stories and I pray that one day they will let me share their stories as well.

Feel free to chime in. Obviously my blog and my writing won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But hopefully in some way I can encourage others to pursue their passions. I want to hear your thoughts. Tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly.

So my parting thought and message for this post is,

Honor your mother and father. Remember to call your parents tonight. Thank them for all they have sacrificed. Most importantly don’t forget to tell them you love them.

Deanna Guadalupe Montalvo

I’m not trying to be bossy or sound condescending. I’m just a little jealous because I can’t call mi papi anymore. I sure will be calling my mom though.

If you don’t have your parents to talk to anymore. Please don’t be sad. Email me. I will read your stories and engage in philosophical (or any candid) type of conversations with you.

I hope you like reading my stories and snippets of life as well. If you do please follow my blog. And if you don’t that’s quite alright too.

To contact me:

dstatam63@bethelu.edu

candidchicana@gmail.com

My Photo: “Papi & Mami” Jose Guadalupe Montalvo, Gloria Anna Montalvo

5 Simple Ways To Preserve & Pass Down Our Culture To Our Children

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  1. CONVERSATION Have your children talk to their aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Some of my own fondest memories are candid conversations that I had with my father. Many of my beliefs have been formed and shaped simply from the talks that I remember having with him.
  2. READ Read to your children, and let them read to you. Intentionally pick out books that they can relate to. Choose books that educate them about their own culture.
  3. RESEARCH Go on the internet to search for information about your own culture. My daughters and I love to do this and often find ourselves diverted on several rabbit trails. It’s fun and educational. Anything from articles to YouTube videos.
  4. PROMINENT PEOPLE Study prominent people with your children. Are their people in your own family that played important roles in history? Perhaps a grandparent fought in a war. Interview them and make a video for the family keepsakes. Whether war stories, or just ramblings of their own childhood memories…these are the words that influence and impact our children.
  5. WRITE Have your children reflect and write their memories and experiences. I can recall my parents taking me to Mexico to visit my grandparents when I was only a child. Many of my ideas for writing have come from that trip alone. The featured image up above, is of my abuelitos (my paternal grandparents) from Mexico.

What other ways can you think of to pass down and preserve our family history?

Contact me at:

candidchicana@gmail.com

dstatam63@bethelu.edu