In our younger, leaner years, my husband Secret Agent Man was an athlete. I was a dancer. So how did we end up with uncoordinated kids? My twin boys can’t run. You know the kids that shuffle up and down the soccer field with their feet never fully coming off the ground? They would be mine. Mini Me, my daughter, loves to dance. She has been in a local cheerleading program for three years. She always ends up getting “The Spirit Award” as opposed to something like “Best Jumps.” Mini Me, like her mother, is high energy. Her coach is very encouraging and says that being energetic is what cheerleading is all about. But, unlike me, a former “All-American Pom-pom Girl” and former college ballroom dance champion, she forgoes technique in favor of an Elaine Benes-type dance style. Whenever I have tr...
Fertility treatments have opened doors for many aspiring parents, yet several myths persist, potentially deterring individuals and families from seeking the help they need. Understanding the truth behind these misconceptions is a vital step toward demystifying the process and embracing the possibilities that fertility care offers. Let’s debunk some common misconceptions about fertility treatments that Denver moms should be aware of. What Denver Moms Should Know About Fertility Treatments Myth 1: Fertility Treatments Often Result in Multiple Pregnancies A prevalent belief is that undergoing fertility treatments frequently leads to multiple births. While early fertility treatments did see higher instances of twins or triplets, advancements in reproductive medicine have significantly re...
When I was at one of my lowest (mental) points in life, I couldn’t get out of bed some days. I had no energy or motivation and was barely getting by. I had therapy once per week, and on this particular week I didn’t have much to ‘bring’ to the session. He asked how my week was and I really had nothing to say. “What are you struggling with?” he asked. I gestured around me and said “I dunno man. Life.” Not satisfied with my answer, he said “No, what exactly are you worried about right now? What feels overwhelming? When you go home after this session, what issue will be staring at you?” I knew the answer, but it was so ridiculous that I didn’t want to say it. I wanted to have something more substantial. Something more profound. But I didn’t. So I told him, &...
Let’s face it: Mile High Mamas are tapped out and while motherhood is a privilege we LOVE, here are some hilarious “New Year’s resolutions” that are definitely not on a mom’s to-do list: Will Not Be Waking Up Early New Year’s resolution: No more 5 AM wake-up calls. I will sleep until my body naturally wakes up, or at least until the coffee pot is ready. Sorry, kids, the world can survive without me for an extra hour. Will Not Be My Child’s Personal Uber I love our conversations in the car during carpool and running around town! However, I vow not to take my child to that random place they “forgot” to tell me about until the last minute. If it’s not an emergency, take the bus, my love! Will Not Do Everyone’s Laundry For the moms with older kid...
I am CANCELING New Year’s Resolutions. Creating a list of what you’re not taking with you into 2025 is a powerful way to set boundaries and prioritize your mental health. It’s about letting go of things that no longer serve you, whether they are habits, thoughts, relationships, or external pressures. Here’s a way I am freaming my mental health resolutions: 1. Self-Criticism and Perfectionism What I’m letting go of: Constantly striving for perfection and being overly critical of myself when I don’t meet impossible standards. Why: This only leads to burnout, feelings of inadequacy, and anxiety. I am enough just as I am, and it’s okay to make mistakes or not have everything figured out. How I’ll replace it: Embrace self-compassion, progress over perfection, and the idea that growt...
Do you want to feel more connected to your family? Here are some fun and light-hearted family New Year’s resolutions for 2025 that will get everyone involved and laughing. Pick-and-choose your favorites! 1. Family “No Screen Sundays” Resolution: No phones, tablets, or TV on Sundays (except for emergencies, of course). Instead, we’ll spend the day doing something more interactive—like playing board games, going for walks, having a pillow fight or having a family talent show where Dad sings his version of “Let It Go” for the 47th time. 2. Family Clean-Up Challenge Resolution: Once a month, we’ll have a “family cleaning competition” where everyone gets a room (or a section) to clean in 20 minutes. The catch? You have to do it while racing to music, or perhaps while wearing hilario...
“Some years ago, I was stuck on a crosstown bus in New York City during rush hour. Traffic was barely moving. The bus was filled with cold, tired people who were deeply irritated with one another, with the world itself. Two men barked at each other about a shove that might or might not have been intentional. A pregnant woman got on, and nobody offered her a seat. Rage was in the air; no mercy would be found here. But as the bus approached Seventh Avenue, the driver got on the intercom. “Folks,” he said, “I know you have had a rough day and you are frustrated. I can’t do anything about the weather or traffic, but here is what I can do. As each one of you gets off the bus, I will reach out my hand to you. As you walk by, drop your troubles into the palm of my ha...
We get it: We all want to buy our loved ones the perfect gift. But let’s not forget to look beyond the mark and recognize the blessings of what we already have right in front of us. We want to make the holidays magical for our kids. But don’t forget the magic is YOU! Clint Eastwood, the 94-year-old actor legend, formulated one of the most important lessons of his life so far for the young generation: “Don’t look for luxury in watches or bracelets, don’t look for luxury in villas or sailboats! Luxury is laughter and friends, luxury is rain on your face, luxury is hugs and kisses. Don’t look for luxury in shops, don’t look for it in gifts, don’t look for it in parties, don’t look for it in events! Luxury...
When my daughter was young, one of our favorite places to play is a local play-area at a Rec Center near us. The indoor play-structure was built with a tree house theme in mind, and all of the tunnels stretch out above the room, like the branches of a tree. It’s great because the parents can stand or sit down below and chat while their kiddos crawl through miles and miles of tubing above. There are many different compartments, most all with windows overlooking the room below. There are different slides throughout so that you can easily get down…only to run around like a crazy person on the squishy floor of the play area and climb the spiral stairs up again. Claire and I went there many times. Our Moms’ Club et there on occasion (more now, in colder weather, since meeting at a park to play ...
Hi. I’m a busy parent, and refuse to feel guilty about it. I know I know, I’m supposed to be slowing down. Taking afternoons to sit with a cup of tea and my knitting while the kids play in the other room. I’m supposed to ignore the clock and calendar once in a while, forcing a family staycation. I’m supposed to turn the computer and phone off in order to contemplate the wonder of life and precious short time we all have together. While I agree with some of the sentiment and try and take from it little nuggets I can apply to my actual life, I have to admit this new movement to get all of us to “slow down” totally stresses me out! Look, I have a life in which there is no choice but to be a little busy. Do I add extra things into an already busy life because it’s...
I stood looking at the holiday photos of my friend’s children. They were sitting still with perfect smiles. Not a single hair was out of place. Their clothes were on. I wondered how they did that. Maybe the children in the photo weren’t real. I mean, they weren’t climbing on the lighted umbrella or asking people in the waiting area if they can have gum. There’s no photographic evidence of one inadvertently slapping the other in the eye. Instead, both children are sitting. Together. They even have their arms around each other. The last time my toddlers exchanged anything resembling an embrace was when they rolled off a beanbag chair together. Fighting over a bendy straw. Our family, like most, has a collection of ridiculous attempts at capturing moments in time. Six of those moments have my...
Finding gratitude in challenging times as a mom can feel like an uphill climb, but even small shifts in perspective can make a world of difference. Here are a few ideas to help nurture gratitude, even when you’re struggling: Embrace the Little Moments: When everything feels overwhelming, try to notice small things—a shared laugh with your child, a hug, or a quiet moment to yourself. These tiny moments can feel like small victories and bring warmth to hard days. Start a Gratitude Journal: Set aside a few minutes each day to write down one or two things you’re thankful for. It could be as simple as “We all made it through the day” or “I had a moment of peace this morning.” Over time, you might find that even the smallest things help to shift your mindset. ...