Her First Role Model

  • Welcome To A Not So Average Mom Blog
  • About Me
  • Welcome To A Not So Average Mom Blog
  • About Me
  • Cultural Commentary

    A Blessing for a Pandemic

    March 22, 2020 /

    May the quiet usher in space, May the space give way to attention, May the attention allow for reflection. And, may the reflection bring about gratitude. May the fear travel aside comfort, May the comfort be followed by assurance, May the assurance give way to strength, And, may strength birth hope. May this pause help to simplify, May the simplicity reflect your deepest sincerity, May sincerity center your core, And, may this core guide you in the days to come. “I like it, Mom.” “Thanks, Babe!”

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    Mandy Bond

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    Welcome To A Not So Average Mom Blog

    March 7, 2019

    Fertility: A Story of Loss & Grief

    February 27, 2020

    Music by Women for Women: Celebrating International Women’s Day 2019

    March 22, 2019
  • Cultural Commentary

    A Playlist for International Women’s Day: Volume 2

    March 7, 2020 /

    Because music is such a powerful medium of expression and is something I absolutely make a part of my every day, I had to offer a second playlist for International Women's Day.

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    Mandy Bond

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    Music by Women for Women: Celebrating International Women’s Day 2019

    March 22, 2019

    Fertility: A Story of Loss & Grief

    February 27, 2020

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    March 7, 2019
  • Addy Chronicles,  Cultural Commentary

    Women’s History Month: Celebrate through Simple Costumes and Timeless Portraits

    March 7, 2020 /

    I am not being original as I got this idea from another mom and daughter who did the same thing for Black History Month. I was inspired by the conversations some costumes and a camera could make. So Addy and I set out to capture who she believes are "strong and brave" women from history and fiction. For each day during the month of March, Addy is dressing up as a different strong and brave woman.

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    Mandy Bond

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    Winter is No Exception to Getting Addy Outside Everyday: 10 Winter Outdoor Activities to Leave You Inspired

    March 22, 2019

    Getting Addy Outside: Why This Mom is Waging the Battle for Outdoor Play Everyday

    March 22, 2019

    Getting My Daughter Outside Everyday & 10 Kid-Friendly Outdoor Activities

    March 22, 2019
  • Cultural Commentary

    Lent: Why I Hate The Season But Need To Observe It Still

    March 1, 2020 /

    I love Advent. I hate Lent. Lent is dark. Advent is light. Lent is mourning. Advent is inviting. Lent is full of solitude. Advent is full expectations and hope. One is waiting for birth. The other is waiting for death. Then there is Good Friday. Yuck! In the past, I have started Lent with a visit to the pub. Right after Ash Wednesday, I walk to the nearest bar and order a simple Ale. There I take stock of where I’ve been and slowly accept a season that lays bare the doubt and pain that causes me to stumble. I am both Thomas and Peter as they question the promise…

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    Mandy Bond

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    Fertility: A Story of Loss & Grief

    February 27, 2020

    Welcome To A Not So Average Mom Blog

    March 7, 2019

    Music by Women for Women: Celebrating International Women’s Day 2019

    March 22, 2019
  • Cultural Commentary

    Fertility: A Story of Loss & Grief

    February 27, 2020 /

    At 41 years old, I am the mother of a 5-year-old. I came to motherhood a bit later than most do (in the Midwest at least). My first marriage was one without the thought of children. And it was only near its end that I realized I wanted very much to be a mom. I’d like to think my second marriage would have taken place regardless of my daughter’s conception, but it was definitely a big factor in taking another set of “till death do us part” vows.  My fertility was never in question five years ago. In fact, my pregnancy came as a surprise, albite a delightful one! My…

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    Mandy Bond

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    Welcome To A Not So Average Mom Blog

    March 7, 2019

    Music by Women for Women: Celebrating International Women’s Day 2019

    March 22, 2019
  • Cultural Commentary

    Music by Women for Women: Celebrating International Women’s Day 2019

    March 22, 2019 /

    As I celebrate International Women’s Day this year, I’m keeping my dial locked into 89.9. I’m celebrating my own contributions to the world. And the biggest and perhaps most important contribution I will make is raising my daughter. In years to come we’ll chat about gender-balance, feminism and why there is even a need for International Women’s Day. Today, we’re keeping it simple by singing and dancing to the sounds of women’s voices! Join us and may I make a suggestion for your soundtrack with these 16 songs.

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    Mandy Bond

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    Fertility: A Story of Loss & Grief

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  • Cultural Commentary

    Parenting Lessons from Parents Who Cheat, Lie, Fail Their Kids (And Play Aunt Becky on Full House)

    March 22, 2019 /

    Let me disclose my prejudice right away: I was always jealous of Aunt Becky! Gorgeous and funny husband. All the benefits of great "parenting" and returning them to their dad at the end of the day. And her figure still in tact because she didn't actually have to carry those adorable kiddos in her own body. As their "Aunt", she was influential in the success of D.J., Stephanie and Michelle.

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    Mandy Bond

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    Music by Women for Women: Celebrating International Women’s Day 2019

    March 22, 2019

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    March 7, 2019

    Fertility: A Story of Loss & Grief

    February 27, 2020
  • Addy Chronicles,  Cultural Commentary,  The Tribe

    Welcome To A Not So Average Mom Blog

    March 7, 2019 /

    Welcome to another “mom blog”! But wait! It’s not an average mom blog. If you aren’t a mom or even if you are, keep reading. There is something in here for you!  “I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I always knew the woman I wanted to be.” Diane Von Furstenberg I’m a mother, raised by a mother, who was raised by a mother, who was also raised by…you guessed it…a mother. My own motherhood came five years ago when I gave birth to my daughter, Addy, with ginger hair and a stubborn streak rivaled only by her dad. For a midwestern gal, I came to motherhood a…

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    Mandy Bond

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    Talking Sex with My Daughter Even Before She Could Say the Word “Sex”

    March 22, 2019

    Getting Addy Outside: Why This Mom is Waging the Battle for Outdoor Play Everyday

    March 22, 2019

    Getting Your Children Outside Everyday: 5 Rainy Day Activities

    March 22, 2019

Hi! I’m Mandy Bond, mom, writer and curator of Her First Role Model, a blog for women and the women they are raising. We are part of a tribe where the voices are many and varied. Let me introduce you to some of those voices. They’re my mommy role models and their daughters. No topic is off limits and I’ll share my own successes and failures as live into being my daughter’s first role model.

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