Karen Johnson

Karen Johnson is a mom of 3 and writes at The 21st Century SAHM—a cathartic mix of sarcasm, angry Mama Bear rants, and heartfelt confessions. She works as assistant editor at Sammiches and Psych Meds and has been featured on sites such as Babble and Scary Mommy, among others. Karen is also a regular contributor to KC Parent Magazine and has contributed to several anthologies. Follow Karen on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

15 Montessori toys you can find at Walmart (and they all cost less than $25!)

15 Montessori toys you can find at Walmart (and they all cost less than $25!)

Montessori education has become pretty commonplace in recent years given its child-centered…

Our Partners, Child Shopping Guide, Holidays, Toddler Shopping Guides

child hitting at his baseball game

Motherly Stories

What it really means to “win” in youth sports

“We aren’t raising baseball players. We’re raising men.”

Motherly Stories, Child Learn & Play

mom and daughter playing

Motherly Stories

What your daughter learns when she sees you confident in your body

Our girls are watching us and listening to how we treat ourselves.

Motherly Stories, Mental Health

kids holding american flags- 4th of july memories

Motherly Stories

How 4th of July traditions defined my childhood

To some, it may have seemed like just a day, just another backyard picnic. But to me, it was everything my childhood was about.

Motherly Stories, 4th of July

I just moved to a new town, and it’s harder to make mom friends than I thought

I just moved to a new town, and it’s harder to make mom friends than I thought

Being the new mom has me feeling like I'm back in 6th grade. But instead, I'm a grown woman in my 30s.

To the mama who wonders if she’ll ever figure out this whole ‘motherhood’ thing

To the mama who wonders if she’ll ever figure out this whole ‘motherhood’ thing

Because motherhood is a lot of things. It's messy. It's exhausting. It's joyful. It's rewarding. And it's unpredictable.

mom playing with child on the floor

Becoming a SAHM was harder than I expected

In motherhood, there are no grades, or awards, or gold stars. But, it gets better.

Parenting, Baby, Life, Motherly Stories

I swore I’d never say it, but here we are: I want a minivan

I swore I’d never say it, but here we are: I want a minivan

We surrendered.

mom showing baby christmas tree

We took Christmas morning and reserved it just for us

Road trips and plane rides around the holidays were all our kids knew.

Christmas, Holidays, Life, Motherly Stories, The Holidays

I’m not a better mom than you because of my lifestyle. (And vice-versa.)

I’m not a better mom than you because of my lifestyle. (And vice-versa.)

“I had a great mom because she only fed us organic food.” — No adult ever

Why is mommy tired?

Why is mommy tired?

I’m tired of trying to do it all, knowing I can’t do it all, but being unable to stop trying to do it all.

How to live a good life: A recipe for my kids

How to live a good life: A recipe for my kids

6. I hope you get to know people who are different from you.