I remember when her biggest life decisions were things like which Disney princess she was going to be that day, or whether cereal counted as dinner. Now she’s out here making actual adult decisions… like choosing a life partner. No pressure or anything.

Watching her grow into the incredible woman she is today has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. She’s smart, kind, strong, and just the right amount of stubborn (I have absolutely no idea where she got that from).

And somehow she found someone who loves her, supports her, and willingly signs up for a lifetime of being part of this wonderfully chaotic family. That alone tells me they’re a keeper.

To my daughter: I’m unbelievably proud of you and so happy you found your person. Your next chapter is just beginning, and I can’t wait to watch the life you two build together.

To her fiancé: welcome to the family. We’re loud, we hug a lot, and yes… we will embarrass you at least occasionally. But we’ll also love you like one of our own.

My heart is very full today.

Now… let the wedding planning (and my emotional speeches) begin.

Becoming a parent is forever. Grown kids need help too, and lots of love along with respect and support. If you are raising little ones in your 20’s and 30’s, please enjoy every minute that you can with them, I know,  you need a break now and then, treat yourself often.

I guess in some respects I am now a “crazy cat lady,” as we hear on the news. When I think back on raising twins through all of the stages, I don’t know how I had time to do anything else. I actually miss those days. It’s almost too quiet now. Cooking for one, being fully in charge of the remote and sleeping in.

Which is why I have started thinking a lot about reflections, midlife reflections. It’s a mixed bag being retired, single and an empty-nester. I am discovering that I really have to try to connect with people. (in-person)

A lot of connections are of course made online. From the many articles I have read, apparently, a lot of us are suffering from social isolation. I definitely feel that on some days. The key for me has been to make sure I get out and do something everyday. I try to stay connected with my twins, although at age 23, they don’t always want to hang out with Mom.

Blogging was popular when I created Mommies In Orbit about 12 years ago. Since then, social media has grown and changed a lot! I am hoping to connect with people, brush up on my writing skills, and just have fun!

Being a stay at home Mom wasn’t easy with two kids the same age. Blogging gave me the connection and outlet I needed to keep from feeling so alone. Fast forward to 2024 and the kids are grown up but I still miss that connection with other Moms.

What are the chances that if a couple of people start blogging again, for connection, or for monetary value, we could kick loneliness down the road?

I’m going to try this as an experiment, after all, I have plenty of time since the twins are all grown up.

You are always welcome to leave thoughts and suggestions, thanks for stopping by, as we used to say.

To each his own, remember that one? Many of us fought like hell to become parents. It’s not an easy road to have infertility problems. In fact, it’s devastating, expensive, hopeless at times and difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It’s a highly personal experience to go through. When I see it flipped around on the news, it makes me sick. After three miscarriages and a crap-load of money, not to mention the physical pain, I had twins. They are now 23 years old and successful young people.

As the old saying goes, if you don’t have anything nice to say, then keep your mouth shut. I think many of us can relate to that.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in improving the lives of people with disabilities by providing innovative solutions and assistive technologies. Here are some ways in which AI has positively impacted this community:

1. Communication Assistance:

1. • Speech Recognition and Synthesis: AI-driven speech recognition technologies, like Google’s Speech Recognition and Amazon’s Alexa, enable individuals with speech impairments to communicate more effectively. These systems can convert spoken words into text and vice versa.
   • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): AI-powered AAC devices, such as eye-tracking systems and predictive text algorithms, allow non-verbal individuals to communicate through text or synthesized speech.

1. Visual Impairment Assistance:

1. • Voice Assistants: Voice-activated AI assistants like Siri and Google Assistant assist visually impaired individuals in various tasks, from reading texts and emails to providing real-time navigation and weather updates.
   • Object Recognition: AI-powered apps and devices can recognize and describe objects, texts, and people in the environment, helping those with visual impairments navigate their surroundings.

1. Mobility Enhancement:

1. • Exoskeletons and Prosthetics: AI-driven exoskeletons and prosthetic limbs use machine learning algorithms to adapt to users’ movements, providing enhanced mobility and greater comfort for individuals with physical disabilities.
   • Wheelchair Navigation: AI-based wheelchair navigation systems can provide obstacle detection and avoidance capabilities, allowing users to navigate safely in various environments.

1. Accessibility Features:

1. • Screen Readers: AI-driven screen readers, like Apple’s VoiceOver, can read aloud text displayed on screens, making digital content accessible to people with visual impairments.
   • Closed Captioning and Transcriptions: AI-based automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems enable the creation of accurate closed captions and transcriptions, benefiting individuals with hearing impairments.

1. Cognitive Disabilities Support:

1. • Personalized Learning: AI-powered educational tools can adapt content and pacing to suit the individual learning needs of students with cognitive disabilities, promoting more effective learning.
   • Memory Assistance: AI applications can provide reminders, schedule management, and medication tracking for individuals with cognitive impairments.

1. Assistive Robotics: AI-driven robots are being developed to provide physical assistance and support with tasks such as dressing, grooming, and fetching objects, aiding individuals with mobility challenges or severe disabilities.
2. Accessibility in Digital Spaces:

1. • Voice Commands: AI-powered voice recognition systems have made it easier for people with disabilities to interact with digital devices and access online services.
   • Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text: AI technology can convert spoken words into text or vice versa, facilitating communication in various digital environments.

1. Emotional Support: AI chatbots and virtual companions have been designed to provide emotional support and companionship to individuals with disabilities, helping combat social isolation.

In summary, AI has played a transformative role in enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities. These AI-powered technologies offer increased independence, improved communication, and greater accessibility, ultimately empowering individuals to participate more fully in society and pursue their goals and aspirations.

The post Let’s Give Artificial Intelligence a Chance appeared first on Mommies In Orbit, Raising Kids, One Orbit At A Time, Forever.]]> https://mommies-in-orbit.com/2023/08/mompreneurs-mastering-the-art-of-networking-while-navigating-motherhood/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mompreneurs-mastering-the-art-of-networking-while-navigating-motherhood Fri, 11 Aug 2023 21:52:18 +0000 https://mommies-in-orbit.com/?p=16090         Navigating the world as a new mother often presents its unique set of challenges, especially for those who are also working professionals. Striving to maintain and grow your professional network amidst sleepless nights and baby routines can feel overwhelming. Yet, the importance of networking remains undiminished, offering opportunities for career advancement, [...]

Traveling on Spring Break with young children can be challenging, but it can also be a fun and rewarding experience for the whole family. I travelled with my twins when they were young. Here are some tips to help make the trip more enjoyable and less stressful:

1. Plan ahead: Research your destination and accommodations in advance. Book flights, hotels, and car rentals well in advance to avoid last-minute stress.
2. Pack wisely: Bring enough diapers, wipes, snacks, and toys to keep your children comfortable and entertained during the trip. Pack a change of clothes for everyone in your carry-on bag in case of spills or accidents.
3. Choose a family-friendly destination: Look for a destination that has activities and attractions suitable for young children. Beach resorts, theme parks, and cities with kid-friendly museums and parks are all great options.
4. Take breaks: Traveling with young children can be tiring, so be sure to take breaks often. Stop at rest areas or parks to let your kids run around and burn off some energy.
5. Stick to a routine: Try to keep your children’s nap and meal schedules consistent with what they are used to at home. This can help prevent meltdowns and make them feel more comfortable in a new environment.
6. Be flexible: Remember that things might not go as planned. Stay flexible and adapt to unexpected changes or delays. Don’t get too upset if your child misses a nap or has a tantrum. Stay positive and enjoy the experience together.
7. Safety first: Always keep a close eye on your young children, especially in crowded places like airports and theme parks. Use a child leash or backpack with a harness to keep your child close to you in busy areas.

Overall, remember that traveling with young children can be a fun and memorable experience, as long as you plan ahead and stay flexible. With a little preparation and patience, you can have a great Spring Break vacation with your family.

If you are trying to find your soulmate on dating apps, put your armor on. The more you know, the better off you are.   We are constantly bombarded with new dating terms, catfishing, fake profiles, etc, and whatever people have recently come up with, be super careful.

New dating terminology is popping up constantly. I have heard of ghosting and love bombing, in fact, I have experienced both of them, not very pleasant, I might add.

The new word that intrigued me is, ORBITING, gave me a reason to get back to the keyboard. Of course Mommies In Orbit was built 10 years ago on the word ORBIT.

Here is the definition according to ChatGPT: In the dating world, “orbiting” refers to a situation where someone maintains indirect contact with someone they used to date or were interested in, usually through social media. This can include things like checking their social media profiles, liking or commenting on their posts, or viewing their stories, but not actively reaching out to them or engaging in direct communication. The term is often used in a negative context, suggesting that the person is “haunting” their former romantic interest by keeping tabs on their life without actually rekindling the relationship.

That type of online behavior is just dishonest and misleading. These are the negative things we must deal with if we are going to use dating apps.

Like I mentioned, suit up in your medieval armor before you scan those dating apps, and as always, be careful, try to have fun, and if you are just mentally overwhelmed, or you just need a break, you can always delete, delete, delete.