Do you want to know what one of the happiest times of my decade-long experience as a mom has been? I can see it clearly in head: It was the first summer after I became a mother and I was in training for my new job. I worked 8-hour days at the time, got to…
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I Clock Out Of Mom Duty at 9 PM, and I Have No Shame About It
Every night, as the clock ticks towards 9 o’clock, the countdown begins. Much like Cinderella rushing breathlessly out of the ball, forgetting essential items along the way, I am eager to make my quick departure. Except there’s no pumpkin or prince, and the only place I’m rushing to is my bed. Because after our kids…
Why I Went on a ‘Mom Retreat’ and Think You Should Too
As I write this, it’s early in the morning — my favorite time of day when the dawn is just breaking, the birds are chirping, and the air holds a quiet sense of anticipation. I get up at this time every morning to work and drink my coffee in peace, the only real uninterrupted office…
10 Things To Do Before You Give Birth
The big day is coming and you’re probably full of nerves and excitement — for good reason, of course! Whether you’re being induced, heading in for a C-section, or waiting for labor to begin, you’ll want to make sure that you check these 10 items off of your list before you give birth. 1. PACK…
I’m Hiring!
Job Posting: The Stay Strong Mom Editorial Strategist for http://thestaystrongmom.com/ I am looking for someone to be my right-hand woman as I launch The Stay Strong Mom, a new site that will offer gift boxes for mothers, along with a podcast and community. I want someone who has a heart for women and especially for those…
I’m Tired AF of Being All the Things
There’s been a lot of talk about emotional labor in the news lately, thanks to forthcoming author Gemma Hartley’s viral essay on the topic. Hartley pointed out how maddening it is to be a woman and tasked with the responsibility of carrying the invisible weight of our family’s worlds on our shoulders. From big picture…
15 Things I Love About Motherhood
Motherhood is hard. That’s the sentiment we hear over and over and over again, right? And I would never dispute that statement because of course motherhood is hard. But aren’t we all a teeny bit sick of hearing just how hard it is? Couldn’t we all use just a teeny bit of encouragement that there…
Why I Tell My Kids I “Get” to Work Instead of That I “Have” To
“I’m sorry, honey, but Mama has to work.” How many times have I said those words to my children with my voice dripping with regret and my expression sorrowful? Every part of me, from my body language to the sigh of disappointment that follows, send my children one message: working is the worst. Like many…
Why I Stopped Saying “Just a Minute” to My Kids
I thought I had more time. I thought I had a lot more time, in fact. For so long, I pushed my children away, intent on getting the “important” stuff of life done first. I thought if I could just finish the work, close out the article, update the spreadsheet, switch the laundry, start dinner, or…
Holding Onto My Marriage After Miscarriage Is The Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done
When I had a second miscarriage last month, I was prepared for what to expect in many ways. I knew I would cry at random moments for weeks and months and even years after the loss. I knew I wouldn’t be able to face going out in public for awhile after the pregnancy left my…