Don’t miss a thing.
The Best Parenting Advice
This advice comes from my mom. She raised me and my two brothers. We’re all grown and she’s pretty pleased with how differently we are each living our lives. Those are her credentials so take the following advice at your own risk.
‘This Is Us’ Quote To Remember On a Hard Parenting Day
As a stay-at-home mother, being at home often feels monotonous. Everyday feels the same when you wake up at the same hour. If we starts a task a minute too late, it throws off the whole routine. It’s amazing how time moves fast when you need it to move slow or vice versa.
Pro Tip: Just Add Water
Just add water, when your kids or you need a mental break. That’s a tip I learned early as a parent. I’ll revise it to say, “just add soap and water.”
Going from Two Kids to Three
A third child is a whole new level of chaotic. I learned that my former routines must be retired. My expectations altered.
Mama, you’ve got this.
I overheard a comment from a woman when I was walking through our small downtown,“Wow, 3 kids.”When I heard it, I felt a prickle on my neck.
A Promise to Love Better
The week of August 23rd was awful. I remember thinking, why does Ryan seem so calm. How is he not freaking out or filled with rage on what’s happening in Afghanistan?
My Temperamental 2 Year Old
This is my second go around but it’s 100% different.My second born is both charismatic and unpredictable. He makes me laugh the hardest. He is easy to forgive.
Potty Training Without a Timeline
I thought potty training a second child would be easy. I did it before, I can do it again. They say every child is different. I fully affirm this statement now. Potty training my first, Nolan, wasn’t seamless, but he was fairly adaptable. It took us 12 days to confidently say he was fully potty trained (this includes naps and nights).
Are You Struggling With Resentment?
Words of affirmation are my love language.
When Ryan comes home after work, I want him to notice all that I’ve done in my day—often without me saying anything.
How Cozy Pajamas Protect Our Family
To you this might look like another cute family photo. I attempted to create the perfectly staged picture showcasing our matching Hanna Andersson pajamas. But if you’re a new family of five, you know the perfect photo is impossible.
Guest Writer’s Series: A Letter to My Postpartum Depression
No one tells you that the newborn phase is like Groundhog’s Day — every three hours, it is diaper change, feed, sleep, repeat. Throw in some inconsolable crying, dozens of doctors appointments, formula trial-and-error, and hundreds of loads of laundry and you get the picture. In addition to the typical newborn struggles, I was struggling with something that I still struggle to put into words.
I Feel Jealous Sometimes…
I feel jealous when I hear positive breastfeeding stories. I’m human. I sometimes throw myself a “why me” pity party. I search Google for answers as to why I never produced milk after 3 pregnancies. My current theory is that I lack enough glandular tissue. But who really knows? 🤷🏽♀️
To My Last Baby
You are my last baby. You will be my last child I get to wear. You will be the last child I sleep train. You will be the last baby I potty train. You will be the last I watch walk. The last I introduce solids. The last I get to hold that is mine.
I Tried Breastfeeding My Last Baby
The past week of navigating feeding my newborn started out exciting. I felt hopeful this time around. Griffin had an excellent latch. I had help with my other kids to focus and get this thing right.
Are You Ready For Baby Three?
If I were to compare my preparedness for this baby to my previous pregnancies, it would be laughable. I am surrounded by chaos. My house is an active volcano.
Hospital Bag Checklist: What You Need To Pack
I can’t believe this will be my last time delivering a baby at a hospital. I’m starting to feel sentimental. Since this is my third and final hospital trip, I want to share what you really need to bring.
5 Favorite Baby Items
As a soon-to-be mother of three boys, I have wasted a lot of time and money searching for the “right” baby items.
Parents, Forget the Schedule
I used to think the perfect schedule would allow me to “get it all done.”With my first child, I had a meticulous schedule. I planned every hour of our day. Productivity was the goal & I refused to have my time wasted.
You Are Your Child’s Gift
You are the perfect mother for your child. You were given to him, not the other way around. I had to repeat this to myself as a first time mom.