How Mompreneur Christina Vega Balances Entrepreneurship With Self-Care
In xoNecole's Finding Balance, we profile boss women making boss moves in the world and in their respective industries. We talk to them about their business, their life, and most of all, what they do to find balance in their busy lives.
Entrepreneurship can seem like a scary thing to many: you don't know what you're getting into, you don't have the financial safety you may be accustomed to, and honestly, you never know how the tides will turn.
So, imagine thinking of all those things while also juggling other responsibilities, like a child. Mompreneurs have always shined their light bright, but it's extremely important to understand that like the work/life balance discussion, motherhood and entrepreneurship aren't always coupled with equal percentages — but they're both worth it.
Christina Vega is a beauty influencer and makeup artist, proudly boasting over 38,000 followers on Instagram alone. With one scroll through her feed, you might fall in love with Christina for her beautiful curls, which she flaunts effortlessly on the 'gram. You might also get your whole life together whenever you see her killer makeup looks. But, for me, I love how she does all this while juggling the life of a mom. For this installment of xoNecole's Finding Balance series, I wanted to see how Christina juggles it all, and what her tips would be for any other moms or creators out there. Trust me, it's dope.
What is an average day or week like for you?
I wish I was able to describe what an average day or week looks like for me! I am a freelance makeup artist, instructor at CHIC Studios, vlogger, and a makeup and natural hair influencer who is a mom to a one-year-old. Everyday is a completely different day.
What do you find to be the most hectic part of your week and how do you push through?
The most hectic part of my week is when I am not home for a couple of days. I come back and try to bring the house back in order, when all I really want to do is spend time with my family. To-do lists are really helpful, especially when I prioritize the list.
How do you practice self-care? What is your self-care routine?
Whenever I have time, I try to treat myself to a face mask and hair mask once a week. I also meditate in the morning, and spend time enjoying nature. Manicures, pedicures, and massages happen when I have time in my schedule to squeeze them in.
How do you find balance with family and your friends?
I learned how valuable my time is once my son was born. Family is my main priority. Finding balance with my son is easy — he has my full attention and I work around his schedule. My partner and I always make sure we spend time together everyday. We even have date night at least once a month while Jordan is home with his grandparents. I have a small group of friends that understand how busy I am as a working mom. Those friends are super flexible and are willing to come over to my house, as well as grab lunch or a quick coffee to catch up.
"I learned how valuable my time is once my son was born."
Exercise?
Exercising is super important to me because I am trying my best to get my body back after having Jordan (my son). I run early in the morning everyday and do quick workout routines from YouTube at home. This routine works perfectly with my schedule.
Do you cook or find yourself eating out?
I prefer cooking over eating out because I know exactly what I'm putting in my body. I do enjoy to eat out once in a while. It feels nice to take a break!
Do you ever detox? What does that look like for you?
I have never done a detox before but I am interested in doing one!
When you are going through a bout of uncertainty, or feeling stuck, how do you handle it?
It's easy to get overwhelmed when taking on multiple roles. Anytime I feel stuck, I take a break from everything, especially social media. Sometimes, I have to take a step back and breath to move forward. Anytime I have those type of moments, I make sure to squeeze in mommy time, self-care, and meditate. I take advantage of the fact that I live by the beach, and spend time by the water when I can. Just a few minutes to myself to enjoy peace and quiet helps tremendously.
What does success mean to you?
Success is accomplishing my dreams and goals using all the gifts that God gave me. I want to leave my mark on this earth and a legacy behind.
"Success is accomplishing my dreams and goals using all the gifts that God gave me."
What is something you think others forget when it comes to finding balance?
When it comes to finding balance I think we, I'll include myself because I'm guilty of this as well, tend to forget to include ourselves. Everyday, I balance family and work but forget to take a few moments to balance myself within. One of my favorite quotes is, "You can't drive a car without gas." It's so important to set aside time to yourself everyday.
For more Christina, follow her on Instagram. Check out past Finding Balance ladies featured in this series by clicking here.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images