Janelle
Sibling Rivalry: Surviving the Chaos
Growing up with a younger sister, I always knew that siblings had a very "special" relationship. I had friends with younger and older siblings who got along perfectly well. No arguing or fighting, and they...
I Didn’t Take Any Photos Today
I didn't take any photos today, and to be completely honest, I am grateful. I am grateful that I was able to experience my kids' emotions right alongside them instead of fumbling for my...
Hiring A House Cleaner Saved My Sanity
I used to think that the only people who had house cleaners were the rich and famous. I saw it as a luxury that only the upper class was afforded. Why would I pay...
We Are Way Past Teacher Tired: The State of Our Schools
When schools abruptly came to a halt on in-person learning back in March of 2020, I think I naively assumed that things would be back to normal by the beginning of the following school...
Is Dad Ever The Default Parent?
We’ve heard it a million times before: Moms are true superheroes. According to Luke Bryan, “all mamas ought to qualify for sainthood,” so it’s fairly common knowledge that moms make the world go ‘round....
Parenting A Strong-Willed Daughter: Choosing My Battles
"Strong-willed children become adults who will change the world as long we can hang on for the ride and resist the temptation to "tame" the spirit out of them. -Unknown
The moment I learned that...
Embracing the Chaos of a Busy Life
I will be the first to admit that I have never been able to sit still. As a young kid, I would wake up on Saturday mornings and immediately ask my parents, “So what...
Dropping the Beloved Nap
Having my kids close together was both a blessing and a curse. I remember thinking while I was pregnant that the only thing I really wanted when my babies were born was that they...
The Day I Was a Terrible Parent
I was a terrible parent today. I yelled way too much. I lost my patience. I felt like I was at my wit’s end all day long.
I was a terrible parent today. I woke...
Bye Bye Binky: Saying Adios to the Pacifier
Binky.Pacifier.Nu-Nu.Wubba. No matter what your family calls them, those little soothers can be a total lifesaver for a grumpy baby. Thankfully, both of my babies took a pacifier fairly early on and easy, which...
The Club No One Wants to Belong To
This is not a club you want to belong to. This is not a club you want a membership for. But this club brings women together in their loss, healing, grief, and sorrow. It’s...
Bending the Gender Norms
When we found out we were having a boy, there were so many different things that ran through my mind. Would he play football like his daddy? Would he be a mama’s boy? Could...
We Were Supposed to Start School Today
Today was supposed to be our first day of school.
If you had asked me back in March when schools closed if we'd still be dealing with this virus, I would have laughed. I thought...
You’re Not Doing It Wrong, Mama–It’s Just THAT Hard!
As a mom of two toddlers at the moment, my life is a total circus most of the time. Someone always needs something every second of the day, and some days, I honestly have...
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