How Some Black Moms Over 40 Are Coping With The COVID Pandemic

 
In my neighborhood, Pre-COVID-19

In my neighborhood, Pre-COVID-19

Mama Squad 40 is a community group for Black women over 40 to talk, commune, and support each other, in a safe-space.

My mom friend, Gardenia Spiegel and I came up with the concept in early 2020. When COVID hit, we knew that Mama Squad 40 could act as a great resource, by providing open forums for women to connect and heal. During our online meetups, we talk about it all, from family and motherhood, careers and work, health, entrepreneurship, politics, activism, and self-care. We plan to create in-person events post pandemic.

We did a lot of sharing on our first Mama Squad 40 call, “Mama Needs A Moment…Talking Through COVID-19.” There was lots of communing, some laughs and a few tears.

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A few of the beautiful thoughts shared during our call:

“When it comes to walking—the structure helps me. We wake up, have breakfast, walk, breath the fresh air, see nature. We try to do it in the morning and evening. It reminds you that you’re human, that there’s nature out there.”

“In the backyard we have a mandarin orange tree. I really enjoy picking the mandarins with my kids. I get a big bag and we collect them. Then I juice each one by hand. I just sit out there turning each one, watching the pitcher rise. It tastes delicious. It’s really therapeutic for me. “

“Having conversations with my teenagers. My son and I were doing a lot of running around (before) and now we’ve having a lot of conversations, and we’re just talking. And I’m doing a lot of listening. I’m just trying to be still.”

How our mamas are coping through this crisis and staying sane:

  • Taking nature walks in the neighborhood in the morning and night

  • Meditating before everyone is up in the morning

  • Waking up early, gathering our thoughts, sitting in stillness

  • Exercising at the crack of dawn. Yep, lots of early risers Up.In.Here.

  • Listening to music—Everything from Tibetan singing bowls and soul music to D-Nice’s Club Quarantine

  • Burning essential oils in our diffusers

  • Making and drinking homemade juices and teas, especially with ginger and turmeric

  • Using oil of oregano and olive leaf for immune boosting

  • Playing dominoes on our phones

  • Joining challenges: Oprah and Deepak Chopra’s 21-Day Hope Meditation Challenge

  • Enjoying virtual Happy Hour on Friday nights

  • Sending out daily motivational emails to inspire our friends and work teams

  • Catching up on Netflix shows

  • Allowing ourselves to REST, take naps…and NOT feel guilty about it

  • Listening and having more conversations with our children.

  • Cooking EVERYTHING from scratch—from sweets to vegan dishes to turkey chops…We mean EVERYTHING.

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Self-careRobyn Price Pierre