Green Bay Area Mom

I am a Doula, a woman who unbiasedly supports women, their partners, and families, during pregnancy, by supporting them emotionally, educationally, mentally, and physically. Support looks different, depending on the mother and partner, but often, I am able to assist them when they write their birth plan. There is comfort in having a plan, knowing what they want, and feeling of control, especially in pregnancy when they feel so out of control.

Here’s how it started.  I was standing in line at McDonald’s with my kids and they were practicing their Happy Meal orders, because I make them each do their own ordering.  They were discussing what the boy and girl...

It all starts with one brutally honest text message, perhaps to an old high school or college friend that also has kids. And after a while, this confidante is the person you text when you accidentally pee your pants again at work. This is who you drunk text from the bathroom of a work holiday party even though you are too old to be drunk texting. This is who you text to confess you forgot to dress your kids in green on St. Patrick’s Day when every other kid at daycare looks like an Irish leprechaun. And this confidante won’t judge you, because they’re texting you the same things. 

Most mornings, we all need to be out of the house by 7:15.  Many  mornings I am solo while my husband is already at work. That means I need to get 2 kids to 2 places and myself to work by 7:45. (serious kudos to parents who do this single handedly 5 days a week).  I feel like I’ve conquered a marathon by the time I pull into the parking lot at my work!

I’m lucky to be able to drive my kids to school in a district that doesn’t require metal detectors at the entrances. As there are families in this city who live in their vehicles, we should be so grateful as to use our cars just as cars – not as temporary housing. But do you know what would help ease the traffic burden at schools? Fewer vehicles! Make friends with your neighbors who also have kids at your school and share the driving; it’s made all the difference for my neighborhood. And my sanity.

And there are MANY fears and worries that we have as parents! You are not alone! Here are some of the top worries that many parents have and how to best try to overcome them.

I consider myself a bonafide foodie. I love to try new recipes and new foods. I consider watching Top Chef or Masterchef the perfect night of TV. I LOVE to cook from scratch.  New gadgets? No problem… until the Instant Pot came along!

I never wanted to be a woman who was bothered by aging, but I am. I have been wanting to write about my issues with aging even before that day in November. I didn't because I didn't have a moral of the story yet.

I am a wanderer. One of my goals when I had children was to pass the love of travel and exploration to them. Little did I realize when I made that goal, traveling on an airplane with a child...

Our current world focuses so much on negative publicity, politics, and instances, a little kindness can go a long way! Share with us your stories of kindness.