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Hi Y’all! I wanted to talk about some changes going on in your girl’s life.  I have been working a full-time job while trying to get my businesses started.  Last year was one of the hardest yet most rewarding years of my life.  I was trying to juggle a job, puppies, kids, publishing a book, moving, and starting my business. It was insane! I didn’t realize the toll it was taking on me physically and mentally.  What did I do?  I just kept going.    I realized something had to change.  I couldn’t keep on neglecting myself, to just get by. Sometimes the difficult decision is to say I quit.  I had to give up something because I couldn’t keep performing at this rate.  I was ready to go after my dream and my job had to go.     With this episode, I want to show you how it’s okay to say NO to what isn’t working.  Sometimes it’s harder to say NO than YES.  I am in uncharted territory, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared.  I’m excited to be able to help other women in their motherhood journey. Today, I was reminded that plus size women are still struggling for representation in their pregnancy.   Don’t forget to subscribe so you can follow along!   ORDER MY FIRST BOOK: https://www.melissajograham.com/product-page   Find me at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissajograham/ Twitter: @MelissaJoGraham TikTok: @MelissaJoGrahamOfficial

In this episode, I share another chapter from my book.  I talk about pushing past my perceived limits.  My pregnancy story took me through so many obstacles, and I did not think my breaking point would be on the delivery table.  There I was—wanting to give up.  I didn’t think I had the strength or mental power to deliver my son.   If you have been pushed to your breaking point (especially delivering a baby)- this episode is for you.  Get your copy of Fat and Pregnant at www.melissajograham.com   To get a copy of my Book: Purchase a signed copy of my first book, Fat and Pregnant – by Melissa Jo Graham via my website: https://www.melissajograham.com/ Purchase o Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Fat-Pregnant-Melissa-Jo-Graham/dp/1737108208/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Find me at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissajograham/ Twitter: @MelissaJoGraham TikTok: @MelissaJoGrahamOfficial

Have you recently let self-doubt creep in?  Has it prevented you from going after your dreams or goals?  As women, we let exterior sources and our own internal voice create doubt in our capabilities.   We forget how much we have accomplished in our lives and extinguish our own lights.   In this episode, I discuss my own fears and how I overcame them with looking back in my past.  Focusing on what I have accomplished. How the little and big steps led me to the Melissa of today.  Was it easy? No, it was hard.  Was it worth it?  Yes.    Just remember – There is a secret power within all women.  You have it.  So, in moments of doubt focus on what you have accomplished in the past.  Remember the journey wasn’t smooth and the hard times made it more worthwhile.   You did it. You can do it. You have it in you.   To get a copy of my Book: Purchase a signed copy of my first book, Fat and Pregnant – by Melissa Jo Graham via my website: https://www.melissajograham.com/ Purchase on Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Fat-Pregnant-Melissa-Jo-Graham/dp/1737108208/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Find me at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissajograham/ Twitter: @MelissaJoGraham TikTok: @MelissaJoGrahamOfficial

Pregnant. My first positive sign on a pregnancy test.  Most women would be thrilled - I was scared out of mind.  I’m not just big boned - I am a big, fat girl and now I am growing a little human inside of me.  My pregnancy and delivery were completely different than a skinny girl’s pregnancy and delivery.  In this episode, I discuss my book and share a chapter from my story.  If you are plus-size and pregnant - this story is for you.  It is a story that I wished was available when I found out I was pregnant.  My big, fat girl pregnancy viewpoint.  To read the rest of Fat and Pregnant - Click on one of the link’s below:     To get a copy of my Book: Purchase a signed copy of my first book, Fat and Pregnant – by Melissa Jo Graham via my website: https://www.melissajograham.com/ Purchase o Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Fat-Pregnant-Melissa-Jo-Graham/dp/1737108208/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Find me at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissajograham/ Twitter: @MelissaJoGraham TikTok: @MelissaJoGrahamOfficial

In many ways, the world has change drastically. Today I discuss my perspective on Covid-19, four months after the initial shock of a global health crisis.  In this episode, I talk about my world months later and the some of the weird things I noticed along the way.  Our world is constantly changing, and this mom is struggling.  Struggling with the mom guilt and the missed memories Enjoy this show? Check out my Instagram for a picture of my s'mores poke cake. Please subscribe and find me on the links below: Melissa Jo Graham Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissajograham/ Melissa Jo Graham Website: https://www.melissajograham.com/

     In this week’s episode I discuss how the current pandemic is increasing mom guilt across the world.  What does it feel like to be a parent right now? I’m struggling! We are all trying to figure out our new normal and what that means for our children.  The virus is making us experience a new level of mom guilt.  Nothing could have prepared us for our new reality and how much it would impact every aspect of our daily life.  I was drowning in mom guilt and had to find my new path in this evolving situation.       I hope this episode is helpful to you and your family.  We all are surviving and finding a new balance in this new way of living.  Stay safe! I am giving you a pass on all mom guilt during coronavirus.    Love this show? Please subscribe and find me on the links below:   Melissa Jo Graham Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissajograham/ Melissa Jo Graham Website: https://www.melissajograham.com/

This virus continues to impact people around the world, I wanted to talk about how it changed my life.  In between the mad runs to the stores to stockpile on items that you didn’t even know you needed.  Now your glad you got the items but now you might lose your job.  Then your kids are out of school and unsure if they will go back.  It’s a scary new world we are living in and it wasn’t the one I was living in three weeks ago. Things are changing every day and at times it seems like they are getting better but then you hear the news and stories.  You wonder who is running the show.  Do they know what is going down here, where the normal people live?  People are having difficulty finding food and worried if they will have money for food next week.    There is hope, that is a FACT.  We will survive.  We need to realize that people need help now and don’t want to hear about the broken system.  We want someone that is going to fix it and make it possible for our family to survive this.   Let’s work together to make it better. To all the Mom’s out there.  Surviving the homeschool life, I am with you.  It is not easy to juggle the kids and life.  I am holding on by a thread, but I know that we will make it.  Our kids will be fine.  Mom guilt doesn’t apply to the coronavirus of 2020.   If you liked this episode, please listen to my other episodes Find me on Twitter and Instagram @MelissaJoGraham Website: www.melissajograham.com  

      Do you find yourself trying to decide when is the right time to start having a family? My younger sister is planning to start a family soon.  Our conversation was the inspiration for this episode.  When I got pregnant, I had no idea how much having a baby could cost.  In this episode, I go over the major expenses that occur and how it can add up quickly.       So if you have baby fever, this episode will be an introductory course in potential baby cost.  Don't let the cost scare you away.  Once you hold your baby, it makes it all worthwhile.  Are you ready to have a baby? Let me know! Press Play Message me on Twitter/Instagram @MelissaJoGraham Website: www.melissajograham.com

On this episode of the Mom Chronicles, I talk about my reflecting on my last year and decade.  We are a couple days away from a New Year and typically a new start.  You have just survived the Holidays and now it's time to make plans for the new year.  As you make your goal list, make a separate list of what you have accomplished.  It will help you visualize all the goals you accomplished by not giving up.  Take time to soak in the big and small moments because you worked your butt off to get there.  This episode will remind you to be intentional in your goal planning.  Remember that just progressing is an achievement.  You are trying- Go after your dreams! Get off the couch and try! If you liked this episode, please listen to my other episodes Find me on Twitter and Instagram @MelissaJoGraham Website: www.melissajograham.com

      I have been excelling at my career but couldn’t enjoy it because I felt guilty.  I felt guilty for being away from my family.  I felt guilty for following my dreams.  I was doing more in my career which made me feel that I was automatically a bad mother.  There is this mentality that we cannot have a career and happy home.  I believed it for a long time and then I realized I could have both.  I had learned how to cope with the guilt and realized that my journey actually helped my family.       If you have ever struggled with wanting to do more but believed you couldn’t because you had a family, listen to this episode!  You can be successful in your career and be an awesome mom.  It took me a lot of work and I still struggled with the balancing act but I make it work.  You can make it work!       If you liked this episode, please check out my other episodes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissajograham/ Website: https://www.melissajograham.com/

Everyone can agree that getting a new pet is a huge responsibility. I discuss why you should run out and adopt a dog!  Just kidding, I tell a story of how we added two puppies into our family and it changed our family for the better.  We struggled at first but the puppies showed us how to live in the moment.  Through the medical issues, grooming visits, and house training- They brought some new youthful energy into our household.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissajograham/ Website: https://www.melissajograham.com/

Today I am getting serious about my weight.  I wanted to share my history and talk about how my daughter called me out on a double standard.  I’ve always been overweight and will always struggle with my weight.  Here is my story and how I’m finding my way to a new way of living for myself.  I’m talking about goal setting, controlling your environment, and how I make time to exercise.  My journey has taught me a lot about myself and I hope that it will help you too.   Find me on Twitter and Instagram @MelissaJoGraham Website: www.melissajograham.com

In this episode of The Mom Chronicles, I talk about my struggles with trying to achieve my dream while juggling motherhood.  It's a daily battle and I give some pointers that helped me survive.  We can reach our goals and still rock motherhood. Thanks for listening! Find me on Twitter and Instagram @MelissaJoGraham Website: www.melissajograham.com

At some point you've likely seen your child struggle with something and want to give up. As our kids get older they will be confronted with many obstacles that they will have to overcome without us. She was faced with her own self doubt and confidence issues. I discuss how I helped my daughter through a dancing crisis by letting go of my helicopter mom ways. It made us both grow; me as a mother, and her as a young girl.  Find me on Twitter and Instagram @MelissaJoGraham Website: www.melissajograham.com

If you have a never-ending mental list of things that need to be done or errands to run, this is the episode for you.  The mental load that most women and mothers have on a daily basis can be exhausting and most men are unaware of it.  I discuss how I became aware of the emotional labor in my own household and how I had to let go.    Find me on Twitter and Instagram @MelissaJoGraham Website: www.melissajograham.com

All pregnancies and babies are NOT created equally.  It's normal to struggle as a mother and feel like you're barely surviving. You are not alone. I discuss how I survived a baby that would not stop crying. I became a better person, woman, wife, and mother because of it.  Find me on Twitter and Instagram @MelissaJoGraham Website: www.melissajograham.com

Most moms begin their second shift when they get home from work.  Have you struggled with juggling your work and personal responsibilities? We are cleaning, cooking, and helping with homework.  We do all of this for after we have been working.  Women are working full time jobs and are expected to carry the weight of the household.  Let's start the conversation on what is a woman's role in the 21st century and how we can do better.     Find me on Twitter and Instagram @MelissaJoGraham Website: www.melissajograham.com  

Mom perfection does not exist! We are our worst critic and will always doubt the awesome job we do everyday.  Let's stop the mom shame spiral and remember that we are ROCKING motherhood.  We expect ourselves to be perfect and it's a lie.  We aren't perfect!  The worse part is that we expect this of ourselves! Other people expect less from us and we need to let go of this preconceived notion of perfection in motherhood.   Find me on Twitter and Instagram @MelissaJoGraham Website: www.melissajograham.com