Queen City Stay At Home Moms

Seventeen years ago, I created Queen City Stay At Home Moms as an outlet for managing my sorrow. I had just lost my oldest daughter the year before and was preparing to give birth to my second son. All while homeschooling with low funds. Yes, I was married, but we were living off one income at that time. This group provided me with a way to meet up with other families, allowed my homeschooled kids to engage with other diverse children, and the opportunity to use my professional skills because we were highly structured with organized activities beyond the playground. Soon, it would be an additional blessing because I was sought out for ads, product review parties, and my entry into blogging!

Over the years, I have hosted over 20 thousand gatherings. Some from new business ventures,

They have included:

• Political playdates at local elected officials office
• Family Vegan Valentines Day Party
• Family photo days,
• Thursday group dinner at EarthFare
• STEM explorative play dates,
• Community outings,
• sports play-time,
• Swim days,
• museum tours,
• group baby showers,
• New Mom Speed dating,
• Total Children’s Wellness Fair,
• local garden visits,
• Shopping members’ new businesses
• Coliseum shows

and more! We have even helped staff our members new businesses as needed. It was perfect because my eight children were the ages of every child that became a member ( except for the newborns)! We even made write-ups in The Charlotte Parents (a local magazine ) a few times!

The moms that join came from various walks of life. I refused to limit it to just families that look like me. I figured the best way to learn about a culture is by befriending as many families as possible. Still amazed that we reached three thousand members.

Although we have never had all three thousand in attendance at any event, we always had a great time and built strong connections. I understood that change happens and once a mom hit a milestone her objective may not include our group anymore. Most times it was due to moving, going back to work, children getting older, or no longer homeschooling.

Today it still blesses my heart to have strong connections with many of those that have graduated from Queen City Stay At Home Moms. As I have. Our youngest is now ten years old and is currently in public school. I work more for grassroots nonprofits and myself. Although I work from home, I’m most in various states at any given time. And at 46, I have learned to live in spite of losing my eleven- year old daughter in 2005.

Queen City Stay At Home Moms will always be special to me, but it has served its purpose and deserves to end on top. This week, I said goodbye to 15 wonderful years to one of the best holistic support groups for moms in the Queen City!

Kids Garden Month

I bet ya’ll didn’t know it was Kids Gardening Month! What a great time to get the children (back) in the soil!

1. Interactive Workshops: Host hands-on gardening workshops tailored explicitly for kids where they can learn about holistic gardening practices in a fun and interactive way. Incorporate activities like seed planting, composting demonstrations, and sensory garden experiences to engage their senses and spark their curiosity. If you’re in Charlotte, Join us for one of our weekly garden adventures!
2. Theme Gardens: Create themed garden beds or sections that appeal to children’s interests and imagination. For example, a “Pizza Garden” with tomatoes, basil, and peppers for homemade pizza toppings, or a “Butterfly Garden” filled with colorful flowers to attract butterflies and other pollinators. Let kids be involved in planning and designing these themed gardens, encouraging their creativity and investment in the project.

1. Storytelling Sessions: Organize storytelling sessions in the garden where kids can listen to stories related to nature, gardening, and the interconnectedness of ecosystems. Use props, puppets, or even costumes to bring the stories to life and make them more engaging. Afterward, encourage kids to explore the garden and identify elements from the stories, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world around them.

Garden-Based Art Projects: Integrate art into gardening activities by incorporating garden-based art projects that allow kids to express themselves creatively while learning about holistic gardening concepts. For example, they could create nature-inspired sculptures using objects found in the garden, paint rocks as garden markers, or design their own plant labels with colorful drawings and descriptions. Display their artwork in the garden to showcase their contributions and celebrate their creativity.

Let’s End Birth Disparities

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Angela Phillips had been in labor for almost three days when her doctors began to pressure her to have a C-section.

There wasn’t a medical reason other than the fact that her labor had been long and didn’t seem to be progressing. She continued to decline the procedure. Then Phillips felt the doctors’ and nurses’ attitudes toward her change.

“I felt like I was under a microscope and couldn’t really relax,” Phillips said. It felt as though her experience “didn’t matter” to the doctors, who seemed to be set on performing a C-section “so they could be done with it.”

Phillips, who lives in Richmond, eventually gave birth to a healthy baby girl without a C-section. But her hospital experience, like many other black moms, was painful and traumatic, and, as a Black woman, she wonders if part of that was due to unconscious biases among the healthcare workers or the institutional racism embedded in the medical system. Doctors often fail to listen to Black mothers, resulting in higher complications for their births, research has shown. Disregarding input from pregnant women increases the risk of death and complications for the mothers and their babies. C-section rates are also higher among Black women.

For her following three children, Phillips gave birth at home with her own birth team, who listened to her needs while also providing medical care. The use of alternative birthing methods like home births and birthing centers has risen over the past decade, especially among Black women, according to Bay Area doulas.

Black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from childbirth than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, partially because doctors often shrug off Black women’s concerns.

25 Energy-efficient Tips To Lower Electricity Costs

Save Money on your taxes by being a little more intentional about your homes energy efficiency.

That means you are using less energy to do the same jobs, reducing your home’s energy waste and saving money. To effectively increase your energy efficiency involves more than just using less energy – it requires you becoming aware of how energy is used, where it’s wasted, and how it can be used more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

Here are some top tips to help your home or business save energy and be more efficient.

How To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

1. Change your light bulbs to LEDs.
2. Wash your clothes in cold water if possible.
3. Air seal your home. Sealing cracks, gaps and leaks and adding insulation can save up to 10% on home heating and cooling costs.
4. Clean or replace all filters in your home regularly. Dirty filters make your system work harder and run longer than necessary.
5. Use your microwave instead of your stove when cooking.
6. Defrost your refrigerator and freezer before ice buildup becomes 1/4-inch thick to ensure your appliances are running efficiently.
7. During warmer months, close blinds, shades and drapes on the sunny side of your home to help keep your home’s temperature cooler and reduce the work for you AC. Open shades during cooler months to let the sun warm your home.
8. Don’t peek in the oven while baking! Every time you peek, the temperature can drop 25°F, making your oven use more energy to bring the temperature back up.
9. Use natural light when possible.
10. Control your fixtures with a photocell or a timer to assure dusk-to-dawn only operation of your outdoor lights.
11. Don’t leave your electronics on all day long. Only turn on your computer, monitor, printer and fax machine when you need them.
12. Set your thermostat to 78°F in the summer and 68°F in the winter – every degree of extra heating or cooling will increase energy usage 6% to 8%. Setting your thermostat to a lower temperature than normal will not cool your home faster.
13. Using your ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort.
14. Refrigerators and freezers actually operate most efficiently when full, so keep your refrigerator and freezer as full as possible (using water bottles if nothing else). Be careful about overfilling them as this will reduce airflow and cause the appliance to work harder.
15. Using dishwashers and clothes washers/dryers at night will keep the house cooler, reduce strain on the power grid during the peak usage hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and reduce the chance of an emergency!
16. Turn off heated dry on your dishwasher and air dry instead.
17. Set your refrigerator temperature to the manufacturer’s recommendation to avoid excessive cooling and wasting energy.
18. Don’t leave bathroom or kitchen ventilation fans running longer than necessary. They replace inside air with outside.
19. Replace your windows. If your home has single-pane windows, consider replacing them with more energy efficient windows, or adding solar shades or tinting film.
20. Install a programmable thermostat that will automatically adjust the temperature according to your schedule.
21. Turn off the lights when they’re not in use. Lighting accounts for about 12% of a typical residential utility bill.
22. Don’t leave your mobile phone plugged in overnight. It only takes a couple of hours to charge.
23. Turn off the oven a few minutes before cooking time runs out. Your food will continue to cook without using the extra electricity.
24. Watch your appliance placement. Avoid placing appliances that give off heat, such as lamps or TVs, near a thermostat.
25. Dress for the weather. When you’re at home, dress in warm clothing in the winter and cooler clothing in the summer to stay comfortable without making your heater and AC work harder.

Others ideas to ponder!

• Energy-efficient Windows
• Programmable Thermostat
• LED Lighting
• Energy-efficient Appliances
• Solar Panels
• Passive Solar Design
• Energy-efficient HVAC System
• Radiant Floor Heating
• Tankless Water Heater
• Low-flow Fixtures
• Landscaping
• Weatherstripping
• Cool Roof
• Insulated Garage Door
• Insulated Siding
• Energy-efficient Skylights
• Smart Power Strips
• Window Film
• Duct Sealing
• Energy-efficient Roofing
• Rainwater Harvesting System
• Ceiling Fans
• Radiant Barrier
• Eco-friendly Flooring
• Passive Cooling
• Water-efficient Landscaping

Stay Current with all possible deductions. Follow KP Tax and Financial Services

Tips provided by https://www.directenergy.com/ and these smart folks!

You may have heard of a birth doula – someone who provides non-medical support and advocacy throughout pregnancy, birth and after the baby has been born. More recently, so-called death doulas have became more popular. We are people who assist at the other end of the lifespan . We support good deaths. Death doulas can play a pivotal role in supporting a dying person and those around them. Their support can be emotional and practical.

We do many things. We can help develop a plan around the wishes and values of the dying person, advocate on behalf of the patient, attend to and manage their symptoms, conduct life reviews, and help to resolve unresolved issues for starters.

“When you change the way you view birth, the way you death will change.”

What I’ve observed as a death doula is most individuals have thee common regrets:

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live true to myself, not the life others expected of me. Many regret not pursuing their dreams or making choices based on others’ expectations odf others rather than desires of the heart.
2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard. This regret often reflects the realization that people sacrificed time with loved ones and personal experiences to pursue career success or financial stability.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings. Suppressing emotions or failing to communicate openly with loved ones can lead to regret later in life.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends and certain family members. Maintaining relationships and nurturing friendships is essential for overall happiness and well-being, but people often neglect it in the busyness of life.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier. Some people realize too late that they spent too much time worrying about trivial matters or dwelling on negative thoughts instead of allowing themselves to experience joy and contentment.

These regrets share the importance of living authentically, prioritizing relationships, expressing emotions, and balancing work and personal life. They are valuable reminders to reflect on your priorities and make choices that align with what truly matters in life. ❤ – Minister Kelle ❤

The End Of Life

deserves just as much respect,

support & love as the begining.

Death is not the opposite of life, it’s a part of it.

Want to hire me for End Of Life Support? Click here to set a time to discuss your needs.

It is not uncommon for a single hospice nurse to be managing 15 to 18 patients at one time. Understaffing is the biggest obstacle they face.And the lack of care that results from this is then shouldered by untrained family members. The work of a death doula can extend beyond the dying person. They can provide emotional and social support to family, friends and even neighbours – I’ve been there. Done that. and would love to make your journey better. – Minister Kelle Pressley, FSD, The Pink Grasshopper Full Spectrum Doula Trainer

Wanna become a Death Doula? Apply for our Death Doula Certificate Course. I will provide personalized guidance and address your questions about the curriculum and learning objectives. Click here to connect.

For The Love of Karaoke

The word “karaoke” originated from a Japanese word meaning empty orchestra or empty choir and the karaoke machine was independently invented in Japan in 1971 by Daisuke Inoue (Businessman and Night Club Musician).

Karaoke is THE perfect bonding activity for me and others who enjoy a creative way to express oneself and ultimately just bond with your favorite people, by creating healthy, spontaneous and creative memories. Powerful idea of expression, right? Sure, it is.

Years ago, I would just sing to my children while nursing them, or to keep them content on short drives to and fro. Then my sister Serena purchased me my first karaoke machine! I would take a break from my desk work and /house chores, plug the karaoke machine in, select a song, throw on my rock and roll mohawk wig, grab the kids and party with my then homeschooled children for a song or three, Then rewind them down with lunch so I could go back to getting more work done. To this day I never told her how much I appreciated that machine. I’ll do that after this post.

I must admit, Smule, (find me there at @kelleplace ) was my pathway to group karaoke. It’s an app that allows you to sing duets or choral style songs with people all over the world. You even have the option of singing solo, and storing them all (including video performances) in one library on the app. Once I learned that, I started creating my own playlist for both my pregnant and end of life doula clients, I would sing familiar song that would bring comfort, empowerment and peace to them and played it for them during our meetings or forward them a link between sessions. I even made a playlist just for my dad when he was in the hospital. Although I shared it with him, it helped me manage my emotions as well. I called that play list “Mountains.”

So I guess you can say that karaoke could easily be a part of ones selfcare as well. Not only can you comfort with it, you can also celebrate good times, empower de-stress from life, and just let loose since it’s merely a fun shared experience that anyone can participate in regardless of their singing skillset.

Over the years, I have had the honor of

celebrating my birthday with my favorite people in such fun and relaxing settings and it has yet to disappoint any of us! My favorite time yet was with my daughters and niece! They rented a private room, complete with drinks and food -plenty! Once the usher closed our room door, it was on and popping! My young divas barely 20

years old, instantly became the Supremes! Confidently rolling, jumping plopping all over the floor, couch, wall door- everything! (just kidding but, you get the point!) We had a ball cheering each other on and loosing much inhibitions. We sung to smooth songs from the 90’s up to the ratchet 20’s.

This year I had the honor of attending a karaoke birthday party with one of my favorite elders. She too had a ball. We took turns singing songs from her genre and preferred taste! To see her eyes light up and her hips move from left to right was a delight for all! She still talks about that session to this day! Disclosure- the elder turned 82. So although she was a bit off beat- it did not matter. Nor did it take away from the enjoyment! Again, it’s all about increase happy genes.

Thinking about giving it a try, here’s four tips for enjoying a karaoke session:

1. Choose a Comfortable Venue: Select a karaoke venue with a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The ambiance can significantly impact the enjoyment of the experience.
2. Diversify Song Selection: Encourage participants to choose a mix of songs to cater to different preferences. This ensures that everyone has the opportunity to sing something they like.

3. Create a Supportive and Fun Environment: Foster a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels encouraged to participate, regardless of their singing abilities. Positive reinforcement and applause can go a long way in making the experience enjoyable for everyone.

• Mix solo and group performances to keep the energy high and allow everyone to shine individually or as part of a team. Encourage everyone to participate, even if they’re initially hesitant. Peer support and a non-judgmental environment will help people feel more comfortable.

4. Capture the Moments: Take photos or videos during the session to capture the fun moments. This not only creates lasting memories but also encourages a sense of togetherness.

The Easiest Way To Keep Your Business Expenses Organized

Did you know that the IRS requires all small businesses to keep their receipts for at least 3 years? along with any supporting documentation like bank statements?

Are you one who needs more insight on why tracking your spending is important and a clue on how to organize your spending better? If so, cool, that’s what I’m discussing in this post.

Ready? Here we go! Your record-keeping system should include a summary of your business transactions. This summary is ordinarily journals and ledgers. Your books must show your gross income, as well as your deductions and credits. I’m gonna give you tips on how to stay stress-free and legal.

Some businesses choose to use digital/ electronic software to stay organized. Purchases, sales, payroll, and other transactions require supportive documents like sales slips and paid bills. invoices, deposit slips, and canceled checks. So keep up with them! Your tax person//bookkeeper will thank you for it. Also mixing your personal and business purchases will inevitably end up in confusion. And who wants to be involved in a fraud case- right? When your expenses are well maintained, it’s easier to pull out any financial inadequacies. Make it easy on yourself and always know where the money is going. Tracking and separating your spending correctly is critical, and it doesn’t have to be a hassle.

Begin by understanding what is considered a business expense and operational expense for your business. Everything isn’t business-related or tax deductible.

I suggest to my clients to

A. Get three different accounts: One account for business finances, one for business savings, and a credit card account. What I love about credit cards and digital receipts is that they are super easy to track and understand purchases better.

B. Store receipts properly- Shoe boxes, monthly files in a cabinet, clear plastic sleeves, or even an accordion folder will work fine with consistency, but there’s a better way to do this.

C. Try digital receipts when possible. If not, scan your receipts into a digital file and title it ” Spending tracking”. Once uploaded, be sure to note what the purchase was for.

D. Give Freshbooks.com a try. – It allows you to photograph and store receipts in the cloud. E. Consider hiring a qualified bookkeeper/ accountant to give you more strategies on staying legal and out of jail.

Makes sense? Are you ready to business spending on track? I hope this helped. I’ll share more on accounting each month. See you there.

Not only do I use the links below for my businesses, but I also get referral credit when you give their services a try-

AMERICAN EXPRESS is giving you $100 for signing up- click here!

Chase is being offered through IHG. That means great hotel d perks and more! (Click here)

QC Supermom & Avi Baby

Friday Four: Calling All Black Dads To Be: Here’s How You Can Save Mom And Your Newborn’s Life!

Dear Daddy To Be: It’s time to declare a public health crisis! I know you’re excited about your baby’s arrival. And you believe all you have to do is hold your birthing mama’s hand, but the hard truth is that it’s gonna require a little more in this day and age.

Black Parents Are at the most Risk When Giving Birth. Considering statistics about the dangers that Black moms face when giving birth, moms have every reason to be anxious about it. But dads can make a difference.

Until federal funds get marked directly for programs intended to save women from dying in childbirth, access to insurance for all women, and reimagining health care to include culturally competent maternal health care providers as a viable first choice; too many birthing mommas and babies will die from pregnancy-related causes. There are too many shattered lives left motherless and widowed. So you need to know that your baby mama needs you to be educated and on point.

Dad’s clipping the birth cord

Dad, as a mom of nine and full spectrum doula trainer, I want to guide you in the direction you want to arrive. Your role is vital and you are needed. The first thing I need you to do is hire a good doula. There’s been considerable conversation about fathers and doulas regarding our roles in improving outcomes and reducing the overwhelm of the birthing (and postpartum) process.

Hemorrhage and preeclampsia are the most common causes of pregnancy-related death, and about 60 percent of these deaths are preventable, according to the CDC. A 2018 r

Doulas help birthing people and their families with a plan that meets them where they are regardless of any pandemic, or family dynamic. A good doula, will create a safe – stress free place to empower you, the birthing dad, on how to advocate for your birthing mom during prenatal care, labor and onto postpatum. Now why a black doula for a black mom you asked? Two Words–> “Culture and Customs’

Black doulas don’t feel the need to code switch with black moms. Doula’s are community based. Being physically and culturally accessible in ways, time and places that other providers are not.

 the nation’s pregnancy-related deaths from 2000 to 2014 rose by nearly 27 percent

As a mom of nine and birth doula trainer, I’ve seen firsthand the way implicit bias affects the quality of health care Black women receive. Ultimately, they don’t hold us as valuable as our white birthing counter-parts.- Kelle Pressley

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reports that babies of mothers who do not receive prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth rate and five times more likely to die than babies born to mothers who receive appropriate care.

Your doula will give you all the tools you need to help keep your birthing mom and baby live.

• Gain confidence in understanding what your doctor is saying to your satisfaction.
• Learn your options and what questions to ask your healthcare team.
• You will gain skills to help you acknowledge and address her (yours as well) fears.
• Discover exercises are most helpful and those not to try.
• Understand which foods that enhance her health, labor, birth, and postpardum and which to be mindful of.
• Practice how to best manage the stress of returning home with a newborn
  • Teach you how to monitor her recovery, identify possible complications, and reduce the risk of infections. 

So, there are more than four. Sorry. As you can see, there’s so much you can do. Start with the National Association to Advance Black Birth’s Black Birthing Bill of Rights then impliment the suggestions above. You got this,pops’! .

The Importance of Having a Black Dad present during childbirth

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that black fathers play a critical role in the development and well-being of their children. For example, black fathers who are involved in their children’s lives have been shown to have a positive impact on their children’s academic achievement, social-emotional development, mental health, and poverty levels.

Having a Black dad present during childbirth can help create a more positive pregnancy and birth experience for both the mother and the baby. Studies have found that fully engaged dads are more likely to be involved in their baby’s care, have stronger emotional and financial support for the mother, and be more proactive in their parenting roles.

Moreover, the presence of a Black dad during childbirth can provide additional meaning to the experience, which is important for both the parents and their child. It can be a powerful experience for a black child to witness the connection and devotion of their father during an incredibly intimate moment. It can also be a very emotional moment for the father, with the memories and the emotions experienced during childbirth being something that can be cherished and shared for years to come.- Kelle Pressley, The PinkGrasshopper Full Spectrum Doula Trainier LLC

Photo from HuffPost

Black Moms STILL don’t Trust Hospitals

“Birth is a rite of passage of women. Their journey should be honored, their rights should be fiercely protected, and their stories should be shared.” — Marcie Macari

Maternal health is more likely to be a matter of life or death for African American women, who often navigate a lack of medical access during pregnancy. Charlotte doula Kelle Pressley talks about her work delivering healthy babies and what can be done to close the maternal health gap in the finale of this two-part episode. Host: Aaliyah Bowden. (Click here to tune in)

“Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. “ — Marie Curie

Dear Black Mamas,

Consider birth centers and home birthing. The United States, our country has the worst rates of maternal mortality in the industrialized world. Increasingly, experts are revealing what we’ve always known and that’s the fact that grim racial inequities do exist in America’s healthcare system.

Black mothers in the United States are four times as likely to die from maternity-related complications as white women.

Birth centers are sort of halfway points between hospital births and home births. They serve women with low-risk pregnancies and use midwives, who have medical training, and doulas, a nonmedical position focused on emotional support, physical comfort, and patient advocacy.

Until you feel safe in all birthing spaces, I am here. – The Pinkgrasshopper Full Spectrum Doula Trainer

Get help and heal at your own pace.– Tribal L&D podcast

All of the links feature recent podcasts and printed resources from me. Enjoy.

Thanks for sharing the resources – The Charlotte Post and Tribal A&D Podcast

Big props to New Jerseys Dr Nicola , – The Birth Center of New Jersey in Union, N.J., where Ms. Eaddy-Onque gave birth to Anastasia, has been increasingly busy during the pandemic. Founded and owned by Dr. Nicola Pemberton, a Black obstetrician-gynecologist, this facility is unusual in that it is run by a medical doctor who has admitting privileges at a nearby hospital and that it primarily serves people of color.

Harriet Tubman Day – March 10th & Women’s History Month

Today is Harriet Tubman Day, where we honor anti-slavery activist and abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Tubman is most widely known for leading enslaved people north on the Underground Railroad, but her contributions to abolition and equality don’t stop there. She served as a scout and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War, and fiercely advocated for women’s voting rights in her later years.

Born into slavery in the 1820s, Tubman escaped to Philadelphia in 1849. She soon returned to the south and became a conductor” on the Underground Railroad – a network of antislavery activists and safe houses – where she personally led approximately 70 enslaved people to freedom.

At the start of the Civil War, Tubman was recruited to assist former enslaved people as they escaped to Union camps. Initially a nurse, Tubman soon became the head of an espionage and scout network for the Union Army, mapping out enemy terrain and providing key intelligence to Union officials. In 1863, Tubman led the Combahee River Raid, where more than 750 enslaved people were rescued. She continued working for the Union Army until the Confederacy surrendered in 1865, assisting newly liberated people, scouting for the Union Army, and aiding wounded soldiers.

In the late 1890s, Tubman went on to work alongside women’s suffragists to promote women’s voting rights. She traveled throughout the Eastern US, speaking of her experiences in and after the Civil War, and citing her own experiences as well as those of many other women to further the suffragist movement.

Tubman is a key figure in American history who continues to inspire generations of activists and political figures today. Not only was she instrumental in liberating many formerly enslaved people, but she contributed to the Union victory, and advocated for equality to create a more just nation. Tubman will soon be featured on the $20 bill, with President Biden pledging to speed up the design process and cement Tubman’s legacy further.