The Brighton a Day Foundation was named after 4 year old, Brighton Tenney, who passed away in 2016. The Tenney family was blown away at the amount of kind acts that people did for them after Brighton passed away. Because of that they decided to pay it forward and help other families that have had children pass away.
Some of the things the foundation does is provide a Christmas Basket to families try at have lost children. We call this Brighton a Christmas. We keep this list growing every year. We want all the families to know that we won’t forget their loss and thinking of them. We also provide therapy for families, pay it forward cards featuring children that have passed away, and just being a shoulder to cry on for families.
We were so happy to be able to help the Tenney Family to continue to give back to others!
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What is a Mother
Being a mom means more than giving birth to a child. It's loving and knowing a soul before you even see it. It's carrying and caring for a life completely dependent on you for survival. It's giving air to the lungs that grew within you, and sight to the eyes that will never see you as anything but mommy. The meaning of being a mother is virtually endless. A mother is a protector, teacher, and best friend. Being a mother is perhaps the hardest, most rewarding job a woman will ever experience.
More Than a Mother
Despite the differences, I think all mothers can all agree that motherhood is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding and fulfilling jobs. In my mother’s experience, motherhood is a part of her, but not all she is. She taught me how to be a parent, but also how to be a parent and discover my own new passions outside of the parenting role. There must be balance in everything. Balance might sound ridiculous when you have a two year old screaming at you, but it’s a key principle that some moms learn too late.
No One is Perfect
In life, there is no such thing as perfection, especially when it comes to motherhood. Although some moms may appear to have the perfect children, perfect family, and perfect life, there are always struggles that we will never see. No one's motherhood journey should be compared to anyone else’s because they are all different in their own beautiful ways. There is no perfect mother. If there were perfect mothers, then we would never try to be better.
To all the overwhelmed mamas, you’re doing amazing! Your baby doesn’t want a perfect mom, they want a happy and healthy mom. Remember that you are beautiful, strong, resilient and you will get through whatever motherhood struggles you’re facing. We’re in this together! A happy mom is a better mom!
]]>Physical Tough: For someone with the love language of physical touch, physical presence and accessibility are very important. If you are looking to say ‘I love you’ through physical touch, it can be as easy as giving them a well-needed hug! Understandably, not everyone is a hugger, and that is okay! Another option could be making an effort to hold their hand throughout the day. It is important to note in regard to this love language that based on the relationship, what someone feels comfortable with may vary.
Quality Time: This love language is truly all about making a conscious effort to be present. The best was to say ‘I love you’ based on this love language is to give that individual your undivided attention and remove any extra distractions during this time (such as a phone, game, or work).
Receiving Gifts: You might be assuming that the best way to tell someone you love them through a love language such as this one is to just shower them with gifts and money. The truth is, that isn’t the best way! If someones love language is gift giving, we have to understand that to this individual, a gift is a visual representation of being known, loved, and cared for. Don’t focus on the monetary value of the gift, but rather the thoughtfulness and effort placed behind it.
There is truly no better feeling than making someone else happy! Making a small effort to put a smile on someone’s face is something you might want to extend into your resolution for years to come.
This may be a common one, but it is definitely an attainable one! Benefits of a higher water consumption will follow pretty quickly which is definitely an important factor in staying motivated with this one!
Knocking that one bad habit out of your routine is a lot easier said than done, but with a little determination, we know you will have it gone in no time!
Start 2022 with a wardrobe and accessories you can take into 2023, too! Focus on basics and pieces you can utilize in all seasons!
This is the year to clean out all of your unused subscriptions! Don’t take any unnecessary recurring charges with you into 2022, only keep the ones you use!
Spending a few minutes each day cleaning is something that will leave you feeling more refreshed, motivated, and CLEAN.
Tap into your creative side with this one and take that final leap into learning that new skill you have been wanting to for a while now! Who knows, it may just be your calling!
Some people believe that living in the moment means you shouldn’t be seeing it through the phone camera lens. What we believe is that capturing special moments in your life doesn’t take away from living in the moment and allows you to have the moment with you forever!
Feeling crafty this holiday season? We definitely are! It is always a fun time making fun little turkey hats before the feast (bonus points if you wear it during the meal). This is a great way to engage the little ones and will give the adults a laugh too! There are many examples and websites that guide you through the craft, check one out HERE.
Did you know that November is Family Stories Month? If you didn’t, now you do! Celebrate this special month by telling your favorite family stories with one another! You might learn something that you never knew before or gain a whole different appreciation for your family members!
Nothing better than a little family competition, right? This is a fun activity for all ages and allows for the whole family to have some light-hearted enjoyment! Whether you are watching it on tv or playing a little game outside, football is a true American tradition! Plus, it gets everyone out of the house and moving to help burn off those extra calories!
Another great option that gets the whole family out and moving after a big Thanksgiving meal is a scenic walk or hike! This is an activity that can be tailored to best fit your family’s situation (for example, length can be depending on location and ability). Getting some fresh air and movement in after a big meal is always a benefit!
Board games...a classic activity that can be your form of entertainment for hours. Game options range from classics like Monopoly and Chess to more modern and interactive options like Heads Up and Apples To Apples! With a variety of options, you are almost guaranteed to find something for everyone. Better yet...make up your own game! This is something that gets those creative minds working and some laughs along the way!
]]>Writing can be an amazing way to remind yourself the the good things in life. Setting aside just a few minutes out of the day to reflect can make a major impact in one's outlook on life. Expanding on what you are grateful for can really shed light on the best parts of life.
We know this might sound a little funny but we believe that to be grateful in your current state, it is helpful to remember the hard times that you once experienced. Really understanding and reflecting on a contrast such as this is a great way to highlight the progress you have made!
Many people are able to find gratitude through serving others. By giving back to your community you may become more grateful for what you have. What a wonderful way to give back to others, become more aware of what you take for granted, and increase the well-being of others.
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Buying a friend a gift is definitely not a requirement within a friendship, but sometimes it can be a very thoughtful gesture! A fun option is to get matching pieces of jewelry with your besties. Our Birthstone Rings are commonly the go-to item that can double as best friend rings!
This is such a simple idea that you could complete anytime, anywhere! This would be a great option for an individual who values words of appreciation over gift giving. There are a variety of ways you can say this to your friend. For example, you can say it verbally, write it on a small note, or post about them on social media.
*Reminder, not everyone approves of being posted on social media, please make sure to ask before posting!
This small gesture of gratitude might make a bigger impact than you think! Not only is it proper manners to be saying your ‘please and thank you’s’, but when you express your thankfulness to others, it not only makes others feel great but also makes you feel great (and saying thank you only takes like .8 seconds).
Small sacrifices (even the tiniest ones) can show that you appreciate the person enough to put their needs and desires ahead of your own! An example of this could be picking a movie or TV show you know they would enjoy seeing, offer to drive, or let them pick where they would like to eat.
It always feels nice when you get to enjoy one of your favorite activities with a good friend, right? When you participate in an activity your friend loves, it can show them you are truly interested in their hobbies and want to take the time to make them happy! Plus, it’s always good to try new hobbies or activities!