“These hands clean all the things, pick up all the toys, and fold all the laundry. But they also construct blanket forts, form shadow puppets, and wipe away tears.”
These Hands Are So Full, But I Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way
‘Mom, you always make mistakes, don’t you?’ A grin spread across her face.’: Mom shares importance of accepting mistakes, giving up perfectionist parenting
“I thought, ‘Let her milk this.’ How often do we demonize small mistakes of children? Allow her to stand in her own power. Reverse the lens.”
‘It’s hard work! There will be days you scream, yell, threaten and ask, ‘Is this even worth it?’: Mom talks about conscious parenting, ‘Discipline and gentleness can coexist’
“The greatest way to teach your children how to be compassionate, loving, kind, and gracious is to SHOW them how.”
‘You don’t have to look at your life through someone else’s hardship-lens. Your feelings are valid.’: Mom shares importance of accepting emotions, ‘It’s OK to be sad’
“People tell you to push away your sadness. To think of everything you’re grateful for. And maybe that fixes things on some days. But other days, it won’t touch the despair.”
Just Because I Complain Doesn’t Mean I’m Not A Grateful Parent
“I can be grateful to watch my kids giggle while making a mess at the dinner table AND wish I could occasionally eat one meal alone. I can appreciate being able to nurse my baby AND complain I never get to leave the house for more than two hours at a time.”
‘The placement ended with the police having them removed from our home. I cried and swore I would never do it again. Then we got a call about a one-day-old baby girl.’: Mom shares journey as foster parent
“We started our foster care journey in hopes to help change the lives of kids, but really our lives are the ones that have been changed.”
Toddler Saves Family From Deadly House Fire Parents Couldn’t Smell Due To COVID
“About a minute after we got out of the house, our front door had flames coming out of it.”
‘I like your face! Your are beautiful!’: Toddler melts hearts when dad surprises her with clean-shaven face
When all a toddler has known is their dad with a beard, seeing them without one for the first time can lead to some… well, negative reactions, to say the least. Then there’s Ellie.
‘Dear daughter, you’re about to become a big sister. This will be new for both of us. We will figure it out together.’: Mom pens touching letter to firstborn daughter, ‘You could never be replaced’
“Now we get more to love and you will brave your way into your big sister role. I’m nervous about it, too. I also know having a sibling is one of the greatest gifts we can ever give you.”
‘Nothing is better than this. No wine night, shopping trip, or vacation would be worth the trade.’: Mom shares gratitude for motherhood, despite sacrifices
“Nope, no one told me how much I would have to give up. But you know what? No one told me how much I would gain.”