When we moved our family, we were unfortunately victims of a moving scam. It was a stressful and costly experience. One of the reasons I wrote Good Move is to protect other families from having to go through what we went through. This is our story. I was standing on the sidewalk facing the plate glass window of the pizza place where my family was having dinner. With the sun on my back, I could feel the sweat collecting at the base of my spine. I glanced at my reflection and closed my eyes so … [Read more...] about Moving With Kids: Our Moving Day Story
Fill Your Bucket: Moving With Kids
When BonBon Break put out a call for submissions for their Fill Your Bucket theme, I was excited to throw my hat in the ring. One, because I am a huge advocate for filling one's bucket, and two because I thought this would be a great opportunity to share more about our relocation and how it impacted our family. Sometimes filling your bucket is not intentional. It's a byproduct of another event in your life or a transition that you are going through. And it's only looking back that you can see … [Read more...] about Fill Your Bucket: Moving With Kids
Don’t Call Me Mommy #10yearsaparent
There's something about being called Mommy that makes me shudder. It's one of those unexplainable cringe-worthy things like nails on a chalkboard or forks scraping plates or the sound of Kim Kardashian's voice. Cloying. That's the best word that I have to describe it. Every night, I bow my head to thank the parenting gods that I went straight from Mama to Mom and skipped Mommy all together. My aversion is a mystery. I'm always hearing Mommy, Mommy, Mommy in the world of parenting, and it … [Read more...] about Don’t Call Me Mommy #10yearsaparent
Where to Find Me v.2
I was going to post something new, but I wanted to make sure you had a chance to see two of my latest guest posts: Milestones That Matter on Mamalode: Their theme this month is Celebrate so I chose to write about all of the little things that we never formally acknowledge but that really make a difference in our day-to-day lives as parents. It's a reminder that all of the effort and energy we put into our kids eventually pays off. Six Parenting Jobs I Dream About Outsourcing on Scary … [Read more...] about Where to Find Me v.2
Eight Ways Parenting is Like Working in Retail #10yearsaparent
Recently I was having a very circular argument with one of my children, trying to get him to use logic and reason instead of going into Hulk mode which includes a lot of stomping, yelling, and throwing of things. It dawned on me. This is exactly like trying to talk down a Crate and Barrel customer about the scratches on their nonstick All-Clad cookware or trying to explain the final sale policy to a shopper at A Pea in the Pod. I've worked my fair share of retail jobs, and meeting the … [Read more...] about Eight Ways Parenting is Like Working in Retail #10yearsaparent
When It’s Time To Step Away
I was in a funk for most of February. The sub-zero temperatures had me hibernating in the house only leaving when the grocery levels reached a disturbing low. (I'm sure I can make something out of this mustard and freezer burned peas.) A head cold followed by a minor medical procedure forced me out of my routine. I was feeling disconnected from myself and the people in my life. I spent more hours than I care to admit with the covers pulled over my head. I was doing the bare minimum to … [Read more...] about When It’s Time To Step Away
I’m Dropping the Camera #10yearsaparent
My picture taking devices and I have decided to enter into a conscious uncoupling. After many holidays spent together and countless forgotten uploads, we have decided that we can not carry on in the same way we have been. It's just not sustainable. We want to remember our children's formative years, but are unable to manage the deluge of photos that result from trying to create a visual history of every family moment. We are at an impasse. We simply have no idea what the hell to do with … [Read more...] about I’m Dropping the Camera #10yearsaparent
A Few Gems
I have a birthday this week. My youngest son told me this morning that I look more like 27 than 38. As far as I know, he wasn't even prompted. He didn't appear to be reading off an index card handed to him by me or anyone in the vicinity. I'm not a huge birthday person. But I had to come up with some way to work in that little anecdote. Because, 27. I might not be a birthday person, but I am a huge awards show person. As I started watching the pre-pre-red carpet show on E! Sunday … [Read more...] about A Few Gems