Motherly Stories

You don’t have to be the perfect parent—be the parent you want them to remember

We can’t make our children or our families be exactly what we want or imagined. But we can take a look at ourselves with kindness and ask if this is really who we want to be—for ourselves and for our family.

Putting myself out there to make mom friends was hard, but so worth it

I needed women who were going through the same experiences, joys and challenges that I was. I craved connection, validation and support.

We need to respect our kids’ bodily autonomy at the doctor’s office too

No doubt, there is a very real dilemma between receiving necessary health care and respecting a child’s physical independence.

What my son taught me about my anxiety

I can say with full certainty that I would not be on this road to healing if he had not shown me that it is possible.

I hope my kids have ‘forever friends’—like the ones I have

Forever friends have known us for decades—and they're still here.

Why I don’t make my kids apologize

With your help in a practice called co-regulation, children feel seen and safe and can then process the impact of their words and actions.

Having micropreemie twins taught me it’s OK to grieve for babies who are still alive

"Having so many people tell me that I was strong somehow made me convince myself that I was. Looking back now, I don’t know how I survived without a complete mental collapse—because I was not strong. I simply survived."

My family went on a month-long national park road trip—here’s how we did it

Here’s the inside scoop on how to spend a month on the road visiting several national parks. 

Keeping my home clean and organized makes me a better mom—and it saves my sanity, too

My needs in my own home don’t reflect my judgment of how you care for your home. You do you and I’ll do me.

I want to limit screen time—but sometimes it’s the only break I get

As the realities of parenthood set in, tiny bits of screen time have become a saving grace in those desperate times of need.

I felt mom guilt and shame for having a picky eater

My toddler's diet had become a menu of all the things I said I’d never feed my child—until I had my child.

‘The village’ is great, but the ‘parenting safety net’ is better

This isn’t your Mom Squad, nor is it the proverbial "village" that everyone talks about. Though those things are very important too.

A letter to my firstborn before your sibling arrives

We’re stepping out of our old life into a new one. I’m excited to add another to our family, but I'm grieving, too.

First-time mamas reach milestones, too—right alongside their baby

We are growing up together by experiencing the same moments from two very different lenses.

‘My life is a freaking circus’

If we’re so distracted by the loud noises and flashing lights in our own minds, we won’t have enough headspace to even realize that we’re suffering or struggling.

My introverted child doesn’t need to be ‘fixed’

Why do we think children have to be social to be happy?

Our family does ‘trips instead of gifts’ for the holidays—and it has been life-changing

Trips don't have to be fancy vacations; they can also include outings that are closer to home.

To improve moms’ health, we must focus on social determinants

As moms, we’re often told how important it is to take good care of ourselves through eating, exercising, and getting enough sleep. But some of the biggest forces that determine our health are out of our control. 

What to do if your child has a ‘difficult’ teacher

Sometimes sticking with the thing that feels really difficult is the best course of action.

Having a Black Ariel shows that representation isn’t just important—it’s attainable

It's a reminder that all we ever have to do is show up as our authentic selves—and believe that the rest will fall into place.