When I Say I get Free Products, I Really Don’t!

I want to apologize to all of those who I have given the impression that I get free, high-value stuff all the time.

I’ve been asked quite often how I get all of these nice things, and unfortunately I’ve seemed to boast about them. I founded Coupon Friendly over 4 years ago…and it took 2 of those years to really get my name out there, and finally legalize it as a business (hello, LLC.). I not only share deals, but I also test products out. I have a job (besides being a mommy of 5) – a mommy blogger…and yes, that is actually a job title. I get compensated in both money and products to try out. They pay for my time and my readership. So when I say I get free products, I really don’t.

Being a mommy blogger isn’t one of those “get rich quick” schemes. You have to work for it, just like everything else. And patience…which was personally hard for me, because I simply have none! 🙂  Companies out there are always looking into finding ways to get their names out there. One of the cheapest ways to do that is to work with bloggers with a high number of readers. It not only is cheaper, but it eases the company’s mind knowing they most likely won’t get taken advantage of. Unfortunately there are people out there (including a few bad bloggers) who will take the product (or money) and run. As an LLC. – and even if I didn’t have a legal business – I have a reputation to uphold. I want to grow Coupon Friendly enough to have steady income to help my husband (who also owns his own business, and is my IT Director for my website – lucky me!) and our family’s income. We have 5 young children to take care of.

I work at home, on my own time (sounds like I’m self-employed, don’t I? haha), which I love. If I have an emergency with one or more of the children, I can take off work as long as I want. I don’t make money at that time, but that comes with the territory. It’s great having this opportunity to be a work at home mom. But that’s what I am….a work at home mom. I run a mommy blog. So when you see me post about “free” products that I have received, or compensated opportunities, let me reiterate what I should have been saying before. I greatly apologize. They’re not free. I work with that certain company and am paid in products.

With all that said, by checking out my Coupon Friendly website, you are helping support my business. Print coupons, share a recipe you enjoy, and comment on a review you liked reading. Every little bit helps!

If you have a blog, please comment below the link and what you’re all about, so we can check it out. Share your passion!

I Don’t Want to Become My Mother

Out of all of the things posted, positive memes and messages that friends share on Facebook about their mothers probably bothers me the most. I think out of all five of her kids, I was the one closest to her as a child, but that soon changed once I became a teenager.

Unfortunately, I don’t speak to my mom, which breaks my heart to the fullest. Many of my close friends have a pretty good relationships with their mothers – and believe me, I observe it closely, and have felt envious of the situation. A mother’s (just like a dad’s) position in a child’s life is vital. They watch us like a hawk, mimicking what we do and what we say. I didn’t have a good example. Occasionally, she would blame her ‘bad example’ on how she was raised, further explaining that God was understanding. I read that as “Oh God is okay with how I act, because I didn’t have a good childhood.” Growing up, I couldn’t help but to pardon her abusive actions towards my siblings and me, simply because of that statement. Nowadays, my siblings and I have little-to-no contact with our mother, which is sad all around.

This does not work. Plain and simple!

I can’t tell you how often I fear of becoming my mother, and the strength of that fear sometimes overpowers me. So often, that I’m constantly reminding my kids how much I love them, and how sorry I am when my fuse is shorter than usual. Never do I want my kids to doubt my love for them. Never do I want my kids to remember their mom  as being unhappy and always frustrated and overwhelmed, but as the fun, crazy, silly mom who loved her family and had a strong faith in God. I don’t call my kids names….why? Because I was called every name in the book, and grew up thinking I was worthless. I want my children to know how how important they are to me, and that they deserve all the happiness in the world. I want to have a good relationship with them. I want to know that when they grow up and have their own family, that they will strive to be good parents, love their spouses, and love their Heavenly Father.

My kids asked me today if I loved my mother. It was so easy to answer. “Yes, absolutely” I replied. Of course I love my mother. My oldest explained that it didn’t seem to make sense to love someone who did bad things to others, but it was kind of like when her and her siblings would misbehave, I would still love them.

I believe hating someone leaves bitterness in your heart, and that grudge won’t let you move forward in your life. As Heavenly Father has forgiven me for my wrongdoings, I forgive her, and pray and think about her a lot, and hope she’s finding peace in her life, like I am. And I’m finding my peace by strengthening my faith in God.

Hating others is a waste of time.

I’m grateful for the women who have been mother-figures, and great examples for me (you know who you are!). Family is essential to Heavenly Father’s plan, and it’s our job as parents to teach our kids love, compassion, respect, manners, and some silliness mixed in, so that we can help make this world a better place.