I've stopped reading parenting books. I quit parenting books about halfway into the first year of raising our daughter. It was too much. It was too exhausting to keep up, too overwhelming to stay informed, and each day that I fell further behind in keeping up I felt like a failure. And so, I gathered all* our parenting books and Marie Kondo'd their bums far away from my minimalist-inspired ... View the Post
My Breakthrough Decision to Stop Reading Parenting Books
I've stopped reading parenting books. I quit parenting books about halfway into the first year of raising our daughter. It was too much. It was too exhausting to keep up, too overwhelming to stay informed, and each day that I fell further behind in keeping up I felt like a failure. And so, I gathered all* our parenting books and Marie Kondo'd their bums far away from my minimalist-inspired home. I've decided to rely on instincts. I do this to protect myself from the anxiety that takes over ... View the Post
Confessions of 14 Kid-Critique Mistakes I Made Before Children
I feel like we as women always judge and question one another. After all, we are problem solvers. We are always looking for a way to explain behavior. Behavior in our spouses for why they can never remember where they last left their shoes--and behavior in the child of another for why it won't stop screaming. It's both better and worse if you do not have children. For those without children we often think, "Well, when I have a kid . . . [insert what we'll do different]" or "If this were my ... View the Post
Confessions on Mom Guilt and the Deadline for More Children
I confess--it's not that I don't love being a mother or love my child, but as it turns out I am not a baby person. Maybe I am, or perhaps I'm somewhere in-between. I'm not sure. I always loved babysitting when I was younger and always loved children. I always thought I'd want a household of lots of little kiddos. But, perhaps what I've learned with age is that happiness and personal fulfillment doesn't come from others--it comes from ourselves. Thus I have discovered that I am totally content ... View the Post
How I Fail My Child In School
I am in a pattern of failing my child in school. There is a scene from the late-90's British comedy show, Coupling where the Welsh friend and goofball of the group attends a funeral with fellow Coupling characters and fears what he calls, "The Giggle Loop." "You are surrounded by people for a moment of silence when the Giggle Loop begins... Suddenly out of nowhere this thought comes into your head: the worst thing I could possibly do during a minute's silence is laugh. And as soon as you ... View the Post
This Mommy Has Struggles
Last night I meant to text a girlfriend of mine who is five days past her pregnancy due date. Like anyone waiting for a baby to arrive, I had spent the last week anxiously stalking my phone, overjoyed with excitement. Then something distracted me and I didn't text her. This morning I woke up to a text message picture of my friend's beautiful baby girl. Ironically, her daughter was born at the exact same time I had thought to text my friend. My friend said that everyone had been messaging ... View the Post
Surviving Public Tantrums
A good friend of mine is running for local office. Originally I was hired to design her website and logo, but eventually became her Campaign Manager. It has been an amazing experience and though the election is on a very local level, it has all been a whirlwind of deadlines and fundraising events. And, I’m loving every minute of it. I have an amazing support network at home, and though The Beau is deep into midterms this week, we still find a way to make it work. Of course, I am grateful for ... View the Post