This post originally appeared on Parent.co (now Mother.ly). I see the picture as I’m scrolling through my news feed and feel a pang in my chest. I’ve never considered myself the jealous type, but I can’t deny that that’s what this is—jealousy, mixed with loneliness. A group of kids, several families’ worth, smile at the […]
Hey Moms, This is How Your Friend Without Kids Really Sees You
A guest post by Nicole Lever My appreciation for mothers began a few years ago when some of my closest girlfriends began the journey into motherhood. A conversation I had with one dear friend planted the first seed of gratitude. It was summer vacation and we were on our way to a local beach. With […]
The Greatest Change That Motherhood Brings
I’ll never forget the moment motherhood hit me full force. Less than 24 hours before, our son had entered the world via an unexpected c-section. Although still reeling from the somewhat drastic change in the birth plan, I was thankful to have a healthy baby and already totally enamored with him. A steady stream of […]
The Morning Habit That Could Change Your Life
Last week my nine-year-old told me about a new habit he’s starting to form. It’s something so simple, yet has the potential to profoundly change his life. Every morning he thinks of one or two things he’s looking forward to that day. Little things like having gym class or getting pizza for lunch. In effect, […]
The Heartache of Letting Go
I don’t remember how old I was. I do remember the internal struggle between a little girl who was growing up and a bigger girl who intrinsically knew that growing up also meant growing away. I battled with my decision for days. Part of me wanted to hold on. Part of me wanted to let […]
Why My Stay-at-Home-Mom Title Just Got Complicated
This post contains affiliate links. I’ll earn a small commission on any purchases made through these links. “What are you going to do with your free time?” I hear the question a dozen times in a week’s span and each time it’s asked, I feel my defenses rise, along with my need to justify. This […]
The Morning Some Puzzles Nearly Killed Me
This post was first published April 14, 2014 Humiliating doesn’t even begin to describe Friday morning. Samuel starts PreK in the fall. His future school was hosting an Open House on Friday morning. The Morning Some Puzzles Nearly Killed Me The spring before Eli started school, I brought him to the Open House too, so […]
The All-Encompassing Exhaustion of Motherhood
This post contains affiliate links. I will earn a small commission on any purchases you make through these links. The question is asked every day. In the grocery store checkout line, on the phone, at the bank drive-thru. And the answer never changes. ‘How are you today?’ ‘Good!’ It doesn’t matter if we’re talking to […]
No, I Won’t Stop Telling My Daughter She’s Beautiful
She toddled into the kitchen, lips turned up in a proud smile. A white sunhat perched on her head, floppy brim covering half her face. A pink purse swung from her wrist, three strands of beads jangled around her neck. “Don’t you look lovely!” I exclaimed. A glance in my direction told me she’d heard me, but […]
Will Motherhood Get Lonely Again?
Once upon a time, in the early years of motherhood, I felt myself drowning in isolation. With three kids under four and an introverted personality that wasn’t inclined to go out on friend-seeking missions with children in tow, I turned to the vast playground of the internet to alleviate my loneliness. It was there that I […]