I had to ask my husband for permission to share this story... Oct 08, 2023

Ten years ago, I had a headache that changed my life.

Not just a headache, but a full-on flu. I remember the day started like any other day: waking up, cleaning up the kitchen and living room from the night before, making breakfast for the kids, until...

That dreaded and...

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How to Love Even the Bad Days Oct 02, 2023

My husband and our youngest son like to watch a show before they go to bed at night. I usually don’t join in as TV isn’t really my thing.

I have, however, been drawn into the latest series they've been watching... "Jury Duty" on Amazon Freevee.

It’s...

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The secret language of best friends Sep 28, 2023

I’m about to give you a gift that’s been ten years in the making.

But first, a little backstory...

From the ages of 15 -17 years old, I spoke English as little as possible. Instead I was glued to my best friend’s side, speaking a language we had invented. We called it "uhvuguv."...

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What I know about teenagers – now that I have two of them! Apr 30, 2023

I remember taking my son to a playspace when he was just 18 months old and being absolutely aghast at the seven-year-old boy who kept leaping brazenly over him into the ball pit. I remember thinking "My son will never leap over a child like that." I was right. As my son grew into...

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What would YOUR answer be to THIS parenting question? Mar 04, 2023

 I went to the dentist recently, and the next day I got one of those email surveys. You know, the kind where they want to know how happy you are with *insert random experience,* and then ask if you’d recommend this same experience to a friend.

And then it occurred to me…

What...

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When your child challenges you this year, say YES Jan 01, 2023

A love letter from me to you. And to your children...

I have been thinking about my eldest a lot recently. 

Truth be told, there are few days I am not thinking deeply about him.

Since his birth, he has wormed his way into the recesses of my soul. Since before his birth even.

I...

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25 ways parenting has reinvented you — and one way you can reinvent it back. :) empowerment Oct 26, 2022

First you were you. 

Then you were a parent.

Same you...

But different:

1. sleep schedule

2. priorities

3. friends

4. sex/dating life

5. hip width

6. relationship to your in-laws

7. relationship to your own parents

8. frequency with which you lose your temper 

9. working memory capacity...

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Happy "Emotional Labor" Day empowerment Sep 05, 2022

Today was Labor Day in the U.S.

And while all jobs everywhere deserve to be honored, perhaps none deserve to be recognized more than the job of parenting. 

It is the silent job that so many of us do in the background of our "real jobs." It's the one we don't get paid for, that has no...

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Struggle to hold boundaries, feel respected, and get heard? empowerment Aug 27, 2022

A couple of years ago, a mom came to me, practically crying because she so badly wanted her kids to simply bring their cups to the sink

We had an amazing conversation about this that had absolutely nothing to do with the cups or the sink. 

I am going to take a guess...

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Your job in each phase of parenthood growth mindset Aug 10, 2022

Have you ever noticed that when you travel somewhere for the first time, the road can seem long and confusing, but then the second time it doesn't seem that way at all? That's because you have markers along the way. You know what to expect and you can gauge your needs accordingly. 

Well,...

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Is your home full of little ducklings, or wolf pups? strong will Jul 30, 2022

SOME KIDS ARE GENUINELY HARDER.

Why is it so hard for us to admit that, both on a personal and societal level?

I think it is because we have confused "hard" with "bad."

These kids aren't bad. They're glorious. They're just not easy "do it because I said so" kids.

How do you know if you...

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Can we all agree to disagree? empowerment Jul 23, 2022

I saw this post from Adam Grant on Instagram this week and it made my heart happy:

It also reminded me of a school project I heard about once, where the 5th graders had to argue all sides of an argument between a nature conservancy and a logging company. They had to take turns...

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