Tee Mail: July Recap
7/31/24: Motherhood and mental health
Hey Friend!
Welcome to the end of July! Can you believe we have 97 days until we vote in our next general election and 147 days until Christmas? Whew, time is moving! But let me tell you what I am most excited about—my kids are 8 days from starting a new school year!
Being a working stay-at-home mama is not for the weary. While this summer was much better than last summer—thanks, Lexapro— I sometimes found myself in survival mode. Which isn't hard to do with three kids with very different but strong personalities. Not to mention, I am the first generation in this conscious/gentle/trying to keep my shit together and not pass down trauma to my kids—a type of parenting. Chile, let us all pray for my strength in the Lord.
But even with all that, I still have things to do. I'm still riding the creative high from my time at ALA. I'm still diligently working on my adult rom-com. I cannot wait for this to finally land in my agent's inbox and officially off my plate—at least until she sends it back with notes. I'm also working on a super-secret project that I am excited about. I can't wait to share more details about it.
The kids and I have been reading this summer. This month, I read Against the Currant, Hard Dough Homicide, and Watch Where They Hide. I am even reading an ARC of A Legend in the Baking (which I'm still reading). I also started re-reading Dr. Anita's Phillips book.
The kids are reading their Auntie My's soon-to-be-released book. While also keeping up with Dork Diaries and Stella. My son has also discovered Batman graphic novels and is eating those up.
Thank God for books!
Take the pill.
In the Black community, we are often leery of medical professionals—with good reason. However, I have been fortunate to connect with great medical professionals so far. They know I will go to Dr. Google and tell them my findings. So, to avoid any confusion, they just go ahead and get to the real deal with me. I'm that patient.
But when my doctor prescribed Lexapro to me a couple of years ago, I believed I was a failure. How does a person who believes in Christ not have enough faith to pray the anxiety away? Was I not strong enough to manage all of life's curveballs?
Simply put. No.
I am not able to handle the amount of loss I have experienced within the past four years. I lost my last two living grandparents within two months of each other—my grandmother dying six days before my 40th birthday this year, which is rude btw (lol). I cannot manage being a mother, a wife, a cook, a housekeeper, a nurse, a doctor, a lawyer (my real profession), an author (my other real profession), and a mediator... AND try to stay hydrated, work out, and find self-care.
I won't even discuss world events because that adds another layer of dread. I purposely don't watch the news because it is depressing. I have to protect my peace in some capacity.
So when I decided briefly this summer to come off my Lexapro under the feeling of "I feel good," I quickly spiraled. My mood was swinging and taking names later. I couldn't utter a complete sentence before dissolving into a puddle of tears.
Needless to say, I am back on my meds. I had a come-to-Jesus meeting with my mother. "You need to be stable, Tee," my mother said on our call. And that was all it took—that simple reminder of what Lexapro does for me. It keeps me grounded with all the life I have going on. It helps me manage it a bit better, allowing me to live better.
Okay, friend, it's almost go time! WHEN BLACK GIRLS DREAM BIG drops on October 15, 2024! Whoop-whoop! Angela Bassett—yes, that Angela Bassett—says this book lets Black girls know that all of their dreams are possible. The beautiful thing about this book is that it's for ALL children! In what can possibly be a history-making election year, what a book to add to children's bookshelves everywhere. This is the book I needed as an 8-year-old Black girl growing up in So Cal. It is A reminder that whatever I dream is possible. And the women featured in this book are proof positive.
Preorders are so vital to authors! They signal to the publisher that there is a demand for this book. Also, consider requesting that your local libraries, bookstores, and school libraries order this book. And always, good old word of mouth is effective.
While talking, I got copies of my forthcoming picture book, WASH DAY LOVE (Scholastic, 3/4/25), illustrated by the talented Coretta Scott King Honoree Raissa Figueroa. My baby girl said, "It's beautiful." And she hasn't lied, y'all.
Take a look for yourself.
So, while you're preordering and sharing WHEN BLACK GIRLS DREAM BIG, you might as well do the same for WASH DAY LOVE!
Of course, thank you for supporting me with I AM MY ANCESTORS' WILDEST DREAMS. That baby has set the tone for the books to come. I hope that my words inspire young and old readers to not only dream big but do the big things. Writing is my living out loud and doing something for me.
Friend, I hope you do the same... live for you. You deserve it!
Until next time…
