#DearMama-Meet Jessie

My name is Jessie or Momma Lips! I live in SC with my husband of 6 years, 2 dogs & 3 kids. I’ve been a Media Consultant for 3 years & a creative all my life. I recently chimed back in with my personal creative side by starting my custom illustrations business to pay for my kids nanny 🤣

My oldest son, Jackson, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2018 & it completely changed our world. As our first kid, we had no idea what was going to happen but whatever it was would be centered around J. Honestly, I’m thankful for his Autism because it has taught me so much about parenting & life! I approach so many things differently now & Im grateful.

To me, Motherhood is advocating. With Jackson’s Autism, Ive learned how to use my voice in a way that demands respect but is also appropriate. That Momma bear instinct can come on HARD sometimes but finding that line between emotion & logic takes practice. Advocating for J’s programs & assistance has been pretty good so far, but I also make sure everyone involved is 100% aware I will actually do whatever is necessary to get my kid what he needs. Call me crazy but I will stay on hold with Tricare for hours [true story] to verify insurance coverage. I’ll be polite the entire way through because being a dick to someone when they have done nothing to deserve it is dumb.

Even with my other 2 that arent Special Needs, I still advocate for them. Boundaries are a huge aspect of that. Our kids will be around those that wish to help & support us, not question our family decisions. They will be introduced to new surroundings to have broader understandings of life so they can learn to stand up for themselves & those they love.

I believe I mother this way because this is just how I love. I support those closest to me as much as I can, as long I know they are in it. Children are for life & I’m ready to be there at every tournament, game, WHATEVER with the signs & orange slices because that’s what I grew up with. I was a competitive runner for a majority of my childhood & it got to the point where every weekend, my family was driving to a meet & we all played a part: I was the runner, my Dad was a Coach in the middle of the field, my sister was with the rest of the team like she was one of us & my Mom was in whatever position she needed to be at on the track when I needed that extra. I was raised in a family that sacrificed for my success so I will do the same.

Motherhood has taught me patience with everyone else, Grace with myself & that 1 thing that works for some doesn’t apply to all. No kid is the same so parenting is all over the place. Parents are afraid of parenting against the grain & doing this that aren’t socially normal. Honestly, I prefer different because it’s an opposite to learn something new!