Motherly Stories

Motherly Stories

My daughter has Down syndrome, and her siblings are better for it

One of the pervasive myths surrounding having a child with Down syndrome is that she will be a burden on the rest of the family.

Parenting

I’m a military wife and my husband works long hours away from home—here’s how we manage

While working and financially providing for our family is a huge priority, raising our chil in a healthy, caring and affectionate environment is even more important. 

Parenting

I want my kids to fail

I hope that they learn that stumbles are an important part of life.

Parenting

Here’s how to help your introverted child make friends at school

In a world that invariably encourages and appreciates extroversion, being an introvert can be hard. As a child, this may be even harder.

Travel

TikTok videos asking for kid-free flights don’t help anyone

Feeling stressed when there is a baby crying on an airplane is normal. How you react to those feelings is what matters.

Travel

I travel internationally with my kids because it provides lifelong benefits 

It doesn’t matter whether our kids remember or appreciate these travel adventures.

Birth

4 things I didn’t know would change about myself after baby

3. My sex drive.

Motherly Stories

This is the ‘invisibility of motherhood’—and it starts long before actually having kids

Ask any number of mothers their thoughts on motherhood, and many of them will tell you the same thing: I feel invisible since becoming a mom. I just want to be seen and heard.

Miscarriage & Loss

How I told my toddler about my miscarriage and memorialized the loss together

If you told your child about your pregnancy, they knew you had babies in your tummy or you’re visibly sad, you may consider telling them about your pregnancy loss. 

Parenting

How to incorporate joy into your child’s daily routine

The willingness to approach your child’s needs in a way that allows them to grow and thrive can make most mundane days start and end with a smile.  

Parenting

I was proud of my multitasking—until I realized the damage it was doing to my life

That badge of honor I wore somehow now is replaced by a feeling that my ability to do multiple things at once prevents me from doing any one thing very well. 

Motherly Stories

10 things I wish someone had told me about raising a neurodiverse child

You can do this—and you can do it well.

Motherly Stories

Why I prioritize self-compassion as a new mom

"Before becoming a mother, I thought motherhood was unconditional love, sacrifice and unwavering support. While all of that is still true, since becoming a mother, I have learned that motherhood also requires a commitment to self-compassion."

Child

We need to talk about how toxic youth sports culture has become

My son will know he’s loved despite his athletic abilities. He will be reminded that sports should be fun and not anxiety producing.

Parenting

When does parenting get less exhausting?

I promise you this: Those sleepless nights won't last forever.

Parenting

To my son: You won’t always need me like you do now

But today you do.

Halloween

I’m going to let my teens trick or treat for as long as they want to

If my kids can hold onto the youthfulness of Halloween like I did, I’ll be promoting their involvement every step of the way.

Motherly Stories

15 reasons why it isn’t ‘selfish’ for me to not want a child right now

It’s important to know what you want and to not sacrifice your own wants and needs for the sake of peer pressure (or the sake of giving your parents grandkids!)

Motherly Stories

It’s OK to be ‘that’ mom

The mom that actually lets her kid decorate their pumpkin project for school with glitter and glue instead of “Pinterest-ing” a cute Disney character and doing it for them. 

Parenting

You don’t have to be the perfect parent—be the parent you want them to remember

We can’t make our children or our families be exactly what we want or imagined. But we can take a look at ourselves with kindness and ask if this is really who we want to be—for ourselves and for our family.