The life of Curls & Chaos

 As a mom, I’ll try anything (within reason) to support my child’s development — especially when I feel like something might be slightly off or delayed. I’m not a doctor, and I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I am someone who listens to her intuition and pays attention to her child’s needs. I do my own research to see if there's anything that is in my control to help my child.  So when I kept seeing videos on TikTok about these zeolite drops that supposedly help kids detox, focus, and even start talking more, I was intrigued. I watched countless videos of other moms sharing their experience, and it sparked something in me. Could this be the thing that helps my son, too? My son is 22 months old, and while he’s been saying a few words here and there, I noticed his speech wasn’t progressing as much as I had hoped. I try not to compare him to other kids, but sometimes it’s hard not to notice that other toddlers his age seem to be saying full sentences or using more word...

I knew weaning Xander off the pacifier wasn’t going to be easy — but I didn’t realize just how emotional , exhausting, and complicated it would be. My goal has always been to have him off the paci by the time he turns two in September. And a few weeks ago, I decided it was time. We said goodbye to the pacifier… and instantly opened the door to a whole new level of parenting challenge. Since then? It’s felt like we’ve gone backwards in sleep. He wakes up multiple times a night — just like when he was a newborn — crying, unsettled, searching for that one thing that used to bring him comfort. And honestly? It’s hard. Hard not to give in. Hard not to feel guilty. Hard not to question whether I’m doing the right thing. I’ve tried giving him stuffed animals — and trust me, he has plenty . But none of them bring him the calm the pacifier once did. That was his thing . His comfort. His constant. And now I’m asking him to live without it… while he’s still too little to understand why . ...

Ahhhhh, its time!  Some people are prepping backpacks for their kids. I’m prepping notebooks for myself. This fall, I’m going back to college — not just as a student, but as a single mom, a full-time worker, and someone who already has her hands full (literally and emotionally). And honestly? It’s scary. But it’s also powerful. Because choosing to go back to school while raising a child isn’t something you do for fun. You do it because you’re fighting for more. More opportunities. More security. More stability. More for your child. Some days, I feel like I’m barely keeping it all together. Between daycare germs, work stress, and mom guilt, adding college classes feels like chaos stacked on chaos. But I know the version of me I’m working toward — and she’s worth it. So is my son. This isn’t the traditional back-to-school story. It’s not perfect or polished. It’s me, doing homework with a toddler climbing on my lap. It’s late nights, early mornings, and praying the Wi-Fi hol...

This past week has been one of the hardest I’ve had in a long time. When my son Xander first came down with Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease, I thought I would just continue to be his mom nurse, his support, I wasn’t expecting to get sick too. And definitely not like this . I was in real pain . My hands and feet were covered in blisters. It felt like I was walking on pins and needles every time I took a step. I couldn’t walk my dog. I could barely walk at all. My hands hurt to the point where holding a cup made me want to cry. And the worst part? I still had to keep being Mom. Xander was still recovering himself. He still needed his meals, his cuddles, his diaper changes, his sleep routine. He didn’t understand why mama was so frustrated and kept crying. He didn’t know I was running on fumes, trying not to scream from the pain and frustration while trying to put him to sleep. That’s the reality no one talks about. When you’re a single parent, you're in survival mode. Thinking abo...

  What I Would Tell My Old Self Before Becoming a Mom I think about her sometimes — the girl I used to be before I became “mama.” The girl who had full control over her day, who thought motherhood would be hard but manageable, who had no clue how much would change… and how fast. There’s so much I wish I could tell her. I’d tell her that motherhood will crack her open in ways she can’t imagine. That some mornings, she’ll wake up and already feel tired — not from lack of sleep, but from giving so much of herself over and over again. But I’d also tell her that every single piece of love she pours out will find its way back to her — in tiny fingers gripping her hand, in sleepy “mama” whispers, in unexpected cuddles during chaos. I’d tell her that her body will change, and so will her soul. Stretch marks, saggy skin, a new softness in places she used to criticize — but also a new strength in places she never knew she had. I’d tell her that there will be lonely days — really lon...

And with a very late blog post for the day; These past few days have been rough. Xander caught Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease from daycare and just like that — my whole world paused. The rash. The crankiness. But what hit me the hardest wasn’t the sickness itself — it was the sacrifice that came with it. Because as a single parent, when your child gets sick, it’s not just a health issue. It’s a daycare call. It’s a canceled shift. It’s lost income. It’s rearranging your entire life — alone. No backup. No co-parent to switch shifts with. And the guilt? It hits from every direction. Guilt for missing work to be there for him and not being able to provide the way I want. Guilt for even wanting to send him back to daycare just so I can breathe. Guilt for feeling frustrated when I know he’s the one who’s really suffering. It’s a constant tug-of-war between doing what’s right for him and trying to keep myself — and my life — from falling apart. People think it’s just a rash. Just a virus. Jus...

  The Hardest Part Was Just Getting Up This morning wasn’t soft or slow. It was heavy. Not because of my son. Not because of a meltdown or a diaper disaster. But because of me . Some mornings, the hardest part isn’t the tantrums or the to-do list — it’s simply getting out of bed when your heart and mind are heavy. And today was one of those days.  When Mental Health Creeps In... It’s hard to explain the weight unless you’ve felt it — the kind that makes your chest feel tight and your energy nonexistent before your feet even hit the floor. It’s not about laziness. It’s not even about exhaustion. It’s about fighting a battle in your mind while still being expected to show up as “Mom.” Last night Xander left his bed and snuck into mine a couple of times throughout the night, and even just that felt like "too much". One minute he was curled up next to me, and the next I was walking him back to his room — again. Up. Down. Back and forth. By the time morning came, I ...

  🍼 This Morning Was… a Lot Today? Whew. It was one of those mornings . We weren’t even fully awake before the first tantrum hit. He wanted his pacifier (which I'm trying to wean him off of... and failing miserably at😩) He didn’t want to brush his teeth, didn’t want to get dressed, didn’t want to be touched — but also didn’t want to be left alone. By 7 a.m., I was already mentally done. 🌀 The Tantrum Spiral It wasn’t even one big meltdown — it was a bunch of tiny ones back-to-back, and before I knew it, I felt myself getting frustrated. I raised my voice. I felt guilty. I wanted to cry. Honestly, I did cry for a minute. It’s wild how quickly mornings can go from peaceful to full-blown chaos right from the wake up. And it’s even wilder how much pressure we put on ourselves to “handle it well” when everything inside us is screaming for a break. It's not easy. 💭 What I’m Learning Lately, I’ve been trying to remind myself that it’s okay if mornings aren’t perfect. ...

  Raising Kids During Uncertain Times: The Fear & the Faith It Takes to live our daily lives  I don't usually write about the news. But lately, it feels impossible not to. The world feels heavy right now — with headlines about war, conflict, and violence growing louder every day. And as a mom, it hits different. I look at my child and think: How do I protect them from a world I can’t predict? How do I raise a little one in a time when even  I  don’t know what’s coming next?  The Weight of the News Whether it's global wars, political tension, or community violence — there’s a constant hum of fear in the air. And if I’m honest, I carry that with me in ways I never did before I became a mother. My son is the first thought in everything I do — and the thought of not being able to protect him terrifies me It’s not just about what’s happening overseas. It’s about what could happen here. It’s about the safety of our kids in schools, in stores, even in our own neigh...

  Let’s Get Real: Making Time When You Have None Let’s get real for a second. Between work, parenting, cleaning, cooking, and just trying to keep it all together , “me time” can feel like a luxury we don’t have. And the gym? That feels like a full-blown event when you’re already running on fumes. But here’s what I’ve been learning: if we don’t make time for ourselves, no one else will. And it doesn’t have to be perfect. Sometimes it’s 15 intentional minutes — a quick walk, a slow stretch, a deep breath with a locked bathroom door. That counts. Some days I make it to the gym. Some days I call putting on clean clothes a win. And honestly? Both are valid. I’m also trying to unlearn the habit of just surviving the week and living for the weekend. Because life isn’t just Friday nights and Sundays. We deserve joy on Mondays. Peace on Tuesdays. Little moments that feel like ours even on the busiest days. Balance isn’t about doing everything — it’s about doing something for yours...

  Welcome to the Journey — 😇❤ Hey there! ✨ I’m so excited to finally launch this space where I get to share my world with you — one post at a time. Whether you’re here for mom life tips, curly hair favorites, Amazon gems, or just a daily dose of realness, you’re in the right place. Starting today, I’m challenging myself to write one blog post every single day . Why? Because I have so much to share — from toddler must-haves and apartment finds to self-care routines and things I’ve learned as a full-time working single mom. This is my way of staying consistent, staying connected, and (hopefully) giving you something helpful, fun, or inspiring each day. So stay tuned Monday through Friday, bookmark this page, and don’t forget to check back daily. You never know what might show up — a product review, a recipe, a rant, a real moment, or a tip that makes your day a little easier. ❤️ Let’s do this! With love, Ang💗

 Hey mama — if you're anything like me, Amazon is basically a lifeline. Between work, toddler life, and trying to keep my curls poppin’ without losing my mind, I’ve found a few gems I swear by . These are my go-to Amazon finds that make everyday life smoother, simpler, and a little bit prettier. Whether you're looking for toddler must-haves or curly hair staples — these are my true ride-or-die items . 👇🏽 I’ve linked everything with my Amazon Associate links so you can shop directly — and yes, I only share what I really use. 👶🏽 Toddler Must-Haves: https://amzn.to/3G7kvsS 💁🏽‍♀️ Curly Hair Essentials https://amzn.to/44qIrQ1 ***Affiliate Disclaimer Some posts may contain **affiliate links**, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly use and believe in. Thanks for supporting this blog!

  🖤 Welcome to the life of  Curls and Chaos Hey, I’m Anjelize — a full-time working mom, curly hair enthusiast, and Amazon-loving realist just trying to figure life out, one day (and meltdown) at a time. I created Curls and Chaos as a space to share the real , the raw , and the actually helpful stuff I’ve learned while juggling motherhood, self-care, faith, and curly hair — with a toddler on my hip and a million tabs open in my brain. This blog is for you if you’ve ever: Tried to deep condition your hair during nap time Wondered if you’re doing “enough” (spoiler: you are) Felt like chaos is your new normal — but you're still showing up anyway Here, you'll find: Toddler mom hacks and product roundups that actually make life easier Curly hair tips & routines (quick ones, because... mom life) Amazon finds I swear by (not sponsored — just stuff that works) Honest moments, faith-filled encouragement, and hopefully a reminder that you're no...