essays

The secret to true supermom status

Mothers are not super because they are flawless; they are super because they are real, they are present and they love fiercely.

I used to wish for ‘healthy kids’—then my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes

I remain in disbelief of the way I have been living, the behaviors that have become normal, since his diagnosis.

7 tips for flying solo with a nursing toddler or preschooler

I felt confident about nursing in public to calm any tantrum and our journey was a relatively easy one.

Why we need safe sunscreen options for children with darker skin tones

Embracing diversity in skincare is about so much more than sun protection.

The 5 stages of ‘The Call’: Realizing you have to balance work & a sick kid

As the saying goes, if you can’t laugh about it you’ll cry, right?

To the worried mama whose child won’t eat enough—let go of expectations

By tossing out most of my expectations about food and doing whatever it took to help us achieve our primary goal, we were finally getting somewhere.

Neurodiverse teens face challenges in romantic relationships: Here’s how to support them

Learning to navigate romantic relationships is difficult for everyone, but being neurodiverse can add an extra layer of challenge.

Breastfeeding is a marathon—and women’s bodies pay the price

We love our babies more than anything, and sometimes we feel like we have to sacrifice ourselves in order to prove our devotion.

I stopped folding laundry to prepare for my 3rd baby 

I devoted my energy toward strategically planning to do less.

How to talk to a teenager—and get them to talk to you

There's so much in the world that can be unpleasant to talk about, but it's almost always worse to leave things unsaid.

My son chose pink and purple shoes—and I let him buy them

There are many parenting moments which have caught me off guard. This was one of them.

My toddler has a late bedtime—here’s why our family loves it

Since Lucy prefers to sleep late, we all get to sleep in on the weekend.

It’s okay to mourn your chemical pregnancy

Our time together was so short I never got sick, my breasts never swelled and my insomnia never set in.

How to talk about death with kids: 8 tips to make the uncomfortable more manageable

As a Certified Child Life Specialist, I work alongside the caregivers to break the news to the children in a developmentally appropriate and supportive way.

A parent’s guide to nurturing high achievers

It's essential to continually remind them that their worth is not solely tied to their achievements or accolades.

Airplane mode can soothe toddler tantrums—yes, really

He doesn’t need to yell so much now that he knows I'm there. Ready and present.

To my child, when I forget to feel lucky

My life could have gone in a hundred different directions. Instead, here I am, getting to be with you.

How to know when to quit youth sports—from a family therapist

I empower my daughter to play hard, give it her best, learn from her mistakes, and above all, know when to quit.

Letter to a harried mom—it gets better

When I suggested you would miss this time of your life someday, you didn’t seem convinced.

My son needed a feeding tube—when it’s not just picky eating

My son is now ten years old and has yet to eat his own birthday cake, Thanksgiving dinner or even the bowling alley pizza of childhood birthday parties.