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 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 […]
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 […]
I Used to Roll My Eyes at This
Before I got married, I was a kindergarten teacher. At the end of the school year, it was my job to plan the kindergarten graduation. Although it wasn’t on par with a high school graduation, it was no small event either. The kids all had parts to memorize. We ordered caps and gowns. They marched in […]
To the Weary Mom of Littles
You’re tired. You’re overwhelmed. You can’t remember the last time you shaved your legs. Or ate an entire meal in one sitting. Or slept through the night. You smell faintly of spit-up, have cracker crumbs on your shirt, and baby poop on your pants. You think slobbery kisses from a one year old and ‘I […]
The Kids Are Gone! Here’s What to Do With Your Time
I teamed up with Atmos Flare 3D Drawing Pen for this post. I recently found myself with something I haven’t had in over eight years: Regular time to myself. You read that right. Time. All. Alone. It sounds magical, doesn’t it? Like something right out of a fairy tale. Except this time it’s real life. With […]
#ThisIsMotherhood
It started with a sick kid and a sleepless night. When I got up the next morning, I snapped a picture of myself and posted it with the following caption: THIS IS MOTHERHOOD Up all night with a sick child. Drifting off just to be woken by the cough that springs you into action. In […]