• Home
  • Get Savannah’s Weekly Email!
  • Get to Know Savannah
  • Get Your Book Swag
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Savannah Scott Romcom Author

You never have to do your mothering alone

November 30, 2018 By Patty 3 Comments

30 Nov

Years ago we moved to a new town. My husband’s mom had moved a few years prior. I was pregnant with our first son, and we were about to apply to become foster parents for a child in our extended family. My mothering journey was going to start by jumping into the deep end of the pool!

While I had moved across the country on my own at the young age of 20, I hadn’t ever relocated to a new town with children. Mostly this was because I never had children. Now I was going to go from being a mom of zero to having two in a matter of months. To complicate things (why not?) my husband didn’t have a job in the city where we were transferring our entire life. He had applied to some key positions, but nothing had panned out yet. Still, we felt called here, so we moved forward.

Photo courtesy of kenn w. kiser.

starting from scratch

For the first few months of our time in this new home, my husband commuted down to LA every Monday morning.  He stayed in a tiny back garage apartment through Friday evening.  On weekends he drove the two and a half hours home to be with us. Meanwhile, our friends from LA had gotten a job here, but had no home yet.  We invited them to live in the other wing of our house until they found a place of their own.  

Mothering a child through a transition between families takes a toll on everyone. I started with dreamy visions of girliness, decorating her room in cream and lavender with a canopy bed (no joke, it even had a lace top). I don’t know what I imagined, but it was not the regular visits to see her mom, followed by the meltdowns that happened like clock-work when we had to return to our routine. She had so many needs. I had diminished  reserves. I was a new mom – trying to nurse my infant, get him to sleep, keep him from catching every cold she brought home from her half-day preschool, and usually trying to find my roaming cup of coffee just so I could stay awake for it all.

photo courtesy of jakob owens

finding support

Through this draining stage of motherhood, I found a few spots where I was supported. One was a precious church where I attended MOPS. The group of moms there were all in the same boat one way or another. For one glorious morning a month, we would drop our children off in the care of loving workers so we could sit together, be refreshed by adult conversation, receive instead of giving, and even make a craft.

Don’t scoff at that craft. A mom of an infant rarely finishes eating breakfast. To start and complete something in one day was monumental. Mostly, I found camaraderie in those meetings. I didn’t even have to share all the ups and downs of our unusual family configuration. I simply showed up and took a breath.

One other way God supported my mothering in those days was through a few women who happened to have just moved into town within the past year as well. One of these women was the friend who came to live with us. She had a front row seat to our crazy – and joked that she was going to buy me a T-shirt that said, “Where’s my coffee?”

We would go for walks as she listened to my concerns about our foster daughter. Even though she wasn’t a mom yet, she cared and invested in me. Another woman offered to take my children so that I could read or a nap. It blew my mind that she would do that. It’s no small sacrifice to host an emotionally struggling four-year-old and a brand new infant.

photo courtesy of annie spratt

building friendships that go the distance

Through the years, I’ve cultivated friendships in this town. I’ve dug into the soil of our community and established my roots here. We attended the same church for eleven years of our time here. Several of those moms are still some of my closest friends. When I have to travel for work or speaking engagements, they host my children. When they need someone to pick up their children, listen to their heart, or pray for them, they call me. We have walked this mothering journey together. 

Over the past few years, as that infant I brought into this home has grown older, we have faced new trials as he navigates adolescence. I have continued to receive encouragement, wisdom, and shoulders to cry on from my mentor, a therapist, and a number of trusted friends. These relationships didn’t just plop in my lap. Only one woman (and that’s another story entirely) came out of the blue to my doorstep to bless me when I didn’t know her at all. Other than her outstretched generosity, I have had to pursue and invest, and most of all take risks, to gain the relationships that have carried me along my mothering journey.

photo courtesy of melissa askew

taking the risk to connect

I haven’t always been surrounded by amazing women who love me well. There were years when I felt lonely – especially those early years when it was hard to get out of the home. I’ve also held back during family crises, not wanting to put our personal struggles out into the public eye for scrutiny during seasons when we were fragile. Isolation can be lovely when it is chosen for solitude and refreshment. When it becomes a pattern in our lives, we suffer.

I encourage you today. Don’t mom-it alone. You don’t have to. Find someone to share your heart with, take one small step to reach out and bless another mom. She may become the woman who walks this long road with you as you grow together.

Share
Pin
Tweet
Share

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Friendship, Parenting Together

About Patty

I write to encourage your heart, feed your soul, and give you wisdom for your life. Motherhood is my passion. I've been married to my surfer/skater husband for over 20 years.  We have two boys and a home full of neighbor kids most days.

« How to Avoid Holiday Burnout This Year
When God Entered My Manger Heart »

Comments

  1. Gina says

    December 1, 2018 at 12:47 AM

    What a lovely post. My daughter just had a new baby and lives across the country from all her family. I hope she can find a support group like yours.

    Reply
    • Patty says

      December 1, 2018 at 12:29 PM

      Thank you, Gina! I’m so sorry you are far from her and the grandbaby. I am hoping she can find support too. Most churches have a MOPs or Moms of Littles Group, so she can look into that. I know God has friendships for her there. In the meantime, it can be hard. I hope she is able to reach out some, as it takes those risks to reach out to make connections. I’m praying for her right now.

      Reply
  2. Anita Ojeda says

    December 1, 2018 at 6:00 AM

    Amen! We don’t have to be super-mommy. We need each other. Immpinning this to my board for busy moms :).

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi, I’m Savannah …

I’m a Zumba dancing, coffee sipping, road tripping girl and I love writing closed-door romcom!

My stories make you laugh, smile, and sometimes keep you up past your bedtime chanting the famous reader mantra, “just one more chapter.”

I hope you find your next sweet escape in one of my books.

You can read more about me on my “Get to Know Savannah” page.

I love hearing from you! Sign up for my weekly email, join my reader group on Facebook, or follow me on Instagram so we can connect more often.

Want to talk books, books, books?

I'd love to bless you with my weekly sweet reader email!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

I’d love to connect with you on Social Media …

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Yep. You heard that right. I have a reader group Yep. You heard that right. 

I have a reader group on FB. And I pop in there a few times a week. And the readers love one another and even pop in there when I’m not there. ❤️

We share books, humor, and encouragement. ❤️

And, today I read for six minutes on a “come as I am” LIVE VIDEO (in my ball cap and flannel shirt with no makeup … because that’s what I’m looking like today). 🤪❤️

I read a section from Brooks’ prologue which is from when he and Gabriela first met (three years ago) at the engagement of Aiden & Em (from Townshipped). ❤️

It’s a scene that sets the tone for the insane chemistry between Brooks and Gabriela in Cruiseshipped. There’s banter and humor. And it’s me, reading. ❤️

Wanna hear it? 

Hop over to Savannah (Patty) Scott’s Sweet Reader Group on Facebook. Ask to join. I’ll let you in. You’ll love this sweet group of readers. ❤️ 

And then find a cozy spot and curl up for a little story time. With heart. And heat. 😉😂❤️ But clean. Always closed door. Always. 

All my links, including the link to my FB group, are in my bio! ❤️

#savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #cruiseshipped #cruiseshippedbook #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #readaloud #authorreading #bookexcerpt #romcomreadersofinstagram #bookstagram #sweetromance #sweetromcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #authorlive #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #cruiseshipromance #shipboardromance #smalltownromancebooks
Welllll …. Here it is!! One month. The shortes Welllll …. Here it is!! 

One month. The shortest month of the year (you’re welcome), until this sweet baby is in Amazon and KU. 

I’m smitten with the cover, and I hope you are too!

We’ve got … 
🐄 the small town of Bordeaux Ohio
💍 Memaw and Bill’s wedding 👵🏼 👴🏻 
🛳️ a cruise
🌴 the Caribbean
🎉 shenanigans
💃🏻a sassy, bold, Puerto Rican MFC 
🔥 a hot fireman
💋 hotter kisses

Mark your calendars … or go preorder. 
March 1st — CruiseShipped. 
Put the Bon in your Voyage! 

And, meanwhile feel feee to catch up on the series with any of the other books. All stand-alone reads. All on KU … and the first three are out in audio. 🌊❤️🛳️🥰

#coverreveal #bookcoverreveal #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #closeddoorromance #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #romcomreaders #bookstagram #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #forcedproximityromance #cruiseshipped #cruiseshippedbook #newrelease #authorreel #amwritingromcom #firemanromance #firemanromancereads #vacationromancebooks
#wipwednesday Can I tell you how excited I am to #wipwednesday

Can I tell you how excited I am to show you the rest of this cover? 

My sister outdid herself on this couple. And between @gigiblume and my sister and me, we got the background and fonts just the way I wanted them. 

Trust me. This cover is EXACTLY how I pictured Brooks and Gabriela. It has the vibes of their relationship, and the characters look exactly like I imagined them. 

So many hours go into designing a cover. My sister and I spend hours “fishing together,” as we call it. That’s the time we hunt the internet for a couple in a pose we want to use as a template for the couple’s stance. 

Then she or I (or both of us) will look for images of models online who look like I imagine the characters looking. 
This part is harder than it sounds. I have a very specific idea of each character.

In the meantime, I figure out what element of the story should be the background. Gigi and I hunt for line-drawing images that seem like what we’re looking for. Then we draw out our concept from there. Sometimes I do a rough draft. Sometimes Gigi does. Then we build on that initial concept. 

When my sister finishes her illustration of the couple (after hours of work on her part, and multiple passes by me for input), she sends me the illustration of the couple. 

Gigi places the couple over the background, adds the title and my author name, and then we tweak placement until we’re all happy. 

And, today, we’re all happy with this cover for CruiseShipped! 

I’ll be doing a full reveal tomorrow or Friday!!! 

#coverreveal #romcombooks #sweetromance #sweetromcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #amwritingromance #amwritingromcom #savannahscott #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #bookcoverdesign #newrelease #ilovemyreaders #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries
Ahhhh! These two!! The chemistry between Brooks + Ahhhh! These two!! 
The chemistry between Brooks + Gabriela made it hard for me to keep them apart at all. Whew! ❤️🔥

And even though this is #WIPWednesday , this is not actually still a WIP … sort of. 

The last words were written on Jan 23. CruiseShipped is with my story editor … soon to come back to me. 

And … this week … you’ll get: 

✅ a cover reveal! 
✅ ARC Team Sign-Ups
✅ Bookstagrammer Sign-Ups

I always love the current WIP most. It’s just a thing with me. But, honestly, this book has heart, chemistry, banter, deep friendships, culture, travel, and forced proximity, all with a happily ever after that will leave you smiling. 

#cruiseshipped #cruiseshippedbook #gettingshipped #hettingshippedseries #newrelease #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #romcombooks #sweetromcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #romcomauthor #amwritingromance #amwritingromcom #bordeauxohio #smalltownromance #beachromancebooks #travelromance #forcedproximityromance #puertoricanstories
This is a meet not-so-cute. Of course, Grumpy Gr This is a meet not-so-cute. 

Of course, Grumpy Grant couldn’t have a meet-cute. If there’s such a thing as a meet-crabby, this is it. 

I never knew I liked writing grumps. Grant was so much fun to write. The contrast between him and Jayme—with her optimism and spunk was delightful. 

And Grant’s daughter Fiona added so much to the story. Jayme takes Fiona on as a tutor. Of course, this means she has to see Grant many times each week. 

And it means she gets to know the man behind the broody exterior. 

Do you love grumpy/sunshine trope? 

#teasertuesday #tuesdayteaser  #doctorshipped #doctorshippedbook #gettingshipped #gettingahippedseries #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #smalltownromance #ohiolove #singledadromance #grumpysunshine #grumpysunshineromance #romcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #sweetromcom #bookstagram #bookishcommunity #newrelease #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #ilovemyreaders #singledadromance
#romcomauthor #amwritingromance
#amwritingromcom
This is not how it’s done. You don’t share a This is not how it’s done. 

You don’t share a book that won’t be out til summer in late January. 

But… I finished writing CruiseShipped on the 23rd. And I’ve had a week to recuperate from that massive project. I’ve plotted (loosely) the next series that will come after Getting Shipped. 

And I’m ready to step forward. This book was NOT in my plans. But, enough of you asked for Chris’ story that I gave it some thought. 

And Chris, in his chill, reserved, alpha way, asked for his story to be told. And the gal who falls for him (reluctantly) asked for her story to be told. 

So … here we go. I’m starting work on this book—the last book in the series that literally changed the trajectory of my career as an author, built a town so many of us wish were real, and brought us laughs and tears and HEAs. 

Ripped & Shipped … the story of an ex-military man and the woman who helps him move forward … hopefully coming in June. 

But, yessssss! CruiseShipped comes first. March first. And if my story editor is right, you are going to LOVE Brooks & Gabriela’s story. 

ARC signups open this week. Squuueeeeee! ❤️

#rippedandshipped #workinprogress #amwriting #authorlife #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #mysterymfc #militaryromancebooks #smalltownromancebooks #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #closeddoorromance #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #romanceloversofinstagram #romcomloversofinstagram
80s night 💜💕 80s night 💜💕
Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · Patty H. Scott · All Rights Reserved