When I was young my father put a large swing set in our backyard. Throughout my youth, and even into my college years, on days of great frustration, I would run out there and swing as high as I could. I felt escape in climbing into the blue sky and then free-falling back down. My […]

For the past several years, we have run this article on Being a Good (and Bad) Mother on our mommy blog for Mother’s Day. It is a good reminder of why we’re in this together and you are enough. Every year, mothers are celebrated on that one special May day (which is not to be […]

A job is defined as working for money. Motherhood is defined as working harder than any job in the world, and doing it for free. Motherhood is not a job; if it were a job, I would have a loaded bank account. With (almost) five little ones, homeschooling, and staying sane through the emotions that […]

From the archives   Today I’m heading to the hospital.  It’s a 30-minute drive and I’ll have all three of my kids in the back with me (a 4-year-old, a 2.5-year-old and an 8-month-old).  My sister will be coming as well but solo since all her kids are in school this morning.  We’re on our […]

Friends, there has been so much devastation and sadness associated with this virus. But there has been so much beauty and connection. Do yourself a favor and watch this 4-minute book of realization. “While we were hidden admit the fear and all the while, the people dusted off their instincts. They remembered how to smile… […]

I’ll admit Mother’s Day snuck up on me this year because it’s tough to feel like celebrating when you’re under quarantine. Plus, I’m usually flooded with fantastic product and activity ideas and this year, I have seen very little cross my desk which is a sobering sign of the times. But now, more than ever, […]

“You’re a greedy b—.” The low and intense tenor of my ex-boyfriend’s voice conveyed a deep contempt for me. I was in my car waiting for my daughter to come out of his house so I could take her home. But he wasn’t letting her out. He was crouched down at the driver’s side window […]

This is not the first time I have been sheltered in my home. Though under different circumstances, the feelings are similar.  On September 11, 2001, my world was turned upside down. My husband left on October 4th with his Army unit out of Ft. Drum, NY to fight an enemy in an undisclosed location for […]

Mothers have, on average, 17 minutes a day to themselves. Because of the COVID-19 virus, this already minimal amount of alone time for mothers is dwindling rapidly. School and daycare cancelations; library, rec center, restaurant shutdowns; and work changes are placing an exurbanite amount of stress on households.  With the upheaval of schedules and the […]

The last weeks of Jenna Riley’s pregnancy were painful — extremely painful.  She felt it every time she struggled up the stairs of her second-floor condo in Aurora and all through the hours she worked on her feet each day. She was carrying twins and suffering from preeclampsia, a potentially dangerous pregnancy condition. But she […]