essays

To the mama crying with her baby—the tears will flow and it’ll be okay

I’m not ashamed to share that some memories made come with a lot of tears. Motherhood isn’t always the pretty square photos you see on Instagram.

I’m a mom who looks her age—when did that become something to be ashamed of?

Women aging naturally shouldn’t be newsworthy, yet here we are.

I am not just a stay-at-home mom—I am everything my kids need

When someone asks you what you do, reply proudly with “I care for my children.” When you have a moment of feeling small, know that what you are doing for your kids is big.

Mama, when it all feels never-ending, just remember how fast time passes by

I hear you mama, when will it all end? The thing is, one day it will. Sooner than we anticipate.

Relationships after children can be hard—but mine taught me to love harder

I thought that before kids I knew unconditional love, but now I’ve learned a love with no boundaries.

Postpartum anxiety might be invisible to you—but it’s very real to me

The thing about postpartum anxiety that makes it so misunderstood is that it’s invisible to you—but it’s very real to us.

To my friends who aren’t mothers yet: Here is what I need you to know

You don’t get it yet. And that’s OK. You’re navigating other areas of your life right now while I'm navigating motherhood. And it's not easy.

Motherhood is the longest time—and also the shortest time

Motherhood isn’t one or the other; it’s a combination of both, a recipe of everything. It’s all encompassing and it’s going so fast.

I am an only child mothering an only child—please don’t feel sorry for us

I understand now more about how deeply proud my own mother was of our “three pea pod,” as she named our small family, and how hard she worked to defend it.

“Turning Red” is the movie I wish I had at 13. I’m so glad our daughters have it.

Pretending puberty isn't happening doesn't make it stop.

Here’s the truth, mama: We never stop needing our village

Keep looking for your village. Keep building your village. And keep being the village for others.

To the weary and exhausted mama—you aren’t alone

Hey mama, You’re doing the best you can. You’re loved. You’re resilient. You’re strong.

I’m not pregnant anymore, but my body is broken

This culture does not make it easy to be a woman, let alone a postpartum one. For godssake, let us have postpartum, too.

In a world of “Don’t Say Gay,” we need more JoJo Siwas

As a 40-something queer, non-binary parent of two elementary school age kids, I was almost as thrilled to be heading to the D.R.E.A.M. tour to see not just JoJo Siwa, the entertainer, but JoJo Siwa, newly minted LGBTQ+ star. 

I love my baby, but I miss myself

Nothing has brought me greater joy than motherhood, but nothing has brought me greater grief than becoming a foreigner to my own skin.

To my friends going through IVF, I’m sorry I didn’t understand

If you have friends battling infertility, you don’t know what it’s like until you have lived what it’s like. 

This is why we need to prioritize the care of postpartum mamas

Paid leave is not a vacation. Four weeks of it isn't enough.

Sometimes, motherhood is just too much

I have to imagine you feel this too. I have to believe that these feelings, these days of mine are felt by others. I’m saying it out loud because this rawness is so very real, it’s oh so real, and I can’t cover it up.

7 things people don’t tell you about raising teens

What I’ve realized about the teen years is that, like all stages of parenting (and life, for that matter), they are a Both/And experience.

To my husband: When motherhood gets tough, you make it easier

I know that most times I am our child's safe haven, but at the end of each day, you are mine.