Savvy Mom Feature Friday: Introducing Dr. Sandy Cayo-Alassan

It gives me great pleasure to introduce my good friend and fam Dr. Sandy Cayo-Alassan. Sandy is a savvy mom who has accomplished so much in the last year. I admire her tenacity, strength and courage in creating a life of her own. She is helping to raise her beautiful children along with her husband Camil. Below is an interview with Sandy that I did. Hope you enjoy!

1) Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Sandy Cayo-Alassan, I live in Mount Vernon, NY with my husband and 3 children. My husband and I have been together for almost 7 years. We have a 2 year old Jeremiah and twin 9 week old girls Theresa and Josephine. I recently completed my Doctoral degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and will begin work as an Advance Practice Registered Nurse in the fall. My husband is a 7th grade social studies teacher in Harlem.

2) What is the best thing about being a mom?

The best thing about motherhood is that you get to leave a legacy for someone. Being a mom has made me work harder, pray stronger, love deeper, and strive for the very best for my children.

3) You decided to give birth naturally, especially with your twins? What made you decide to that?

Giving birth has been one of the most amazing things I have ever accomplished. I love to challenge myself and a natural birth was a challenge I could not pass up. I hate medication and being a nurse I knew I didn’t want some of the side effects and cascade of events that would lead to a C section unnecessarily. I gave birth to my son naturally and he benefited tremendously and I wanted the same with my girls...I feel like having a natural birth can bring about a certain lifestyle. The more I read about it and got into it, the more I realized and practiced a life of attachment parenting, co-sleeping, extended breast feeding, and the like.

4) What are some things that you learned from raising your first child that you now do either differently or the same with your twins?

Breast feeding is HUGE!!! I loved it with JJ and it is just as amazing with the TWINS..... I wish I could say that I learned to stress less but I haven’t. I am absolutely in pure, selfless, unbelievable, real, heart pounding LOVE with my kids. Life is too short. I can’t be perfect. I can’t beat myself about things that are out of my control. I am enough. I have everything I need to be the best MOM. I have to cut myself some slack and give myself some credit. They only are this young once so while others may think its spoiling them, I am enjoying my children!

5) What savvy tips would you give to women raising a toddler along with twins?

1) I definitely saved things from my son and used them with the girls. I was not too proud for hand me downs in decent condition.

2) Take help when it is offered. The dishes and dinner can wait and they will…a lot!

3) I always tell family and friends who offer me cash[that]money is great, I love and appreciate it but if I had to choose between the two I would rather your time so I can shower, sleep, and have ME time!

6) What advice would you give to family and friends to help support a mom of multiples?

1) WOW... I could write this book. Don't wait to be asked to come over and help, offer as much as possible.

2) When you come over it is helpful to get involved in the household. Bring a dish, wash the dishes, fold clothes or tidy up...we really need and appreciate this.

3) Cook us FOOD ....we don’t have time so preparing some easy eats for us helps as well.

4) Help out with our toddler they need the most attention!

5) Babysit so that I can keep my marriage and go out on a date...lol

#twins #parenting #savvymom #family