Red Stick Mom

I have been in the parenting game for 14 years, and until this week have never had a 911 emergency. Since my firecracker of a third child has blessed us with this recent emergency situation, I could not let it go without writing about it! Calm Before the Storm Just like all things in life, it happened in an instant. We went from a perfectly peaceful Wednesday evening on the patio to a gut wrenching, panic filled, adrenaline pumping, quick decision making kind of moment. My family had just finished up a 10 day quarantine, and we were delighted to be together again. The hubby was at the grill cooking delicious burgers, my oldest (14) and youngest (3) were playing in the...

I had a revelation yesterday: I need a wife. Huh? Husbands are great for a lot of things. Need the grass cut? Need a light bulb changed or the trash taken out? Get you a husband. But if you need someone to carry the giant mental load that comes with raising a family, you need a wife. I recently went back to work full time after 11 years of a stay-at-home-mom gig. It’s been fulfilling and challenging and made me feel more like myself than I have in years. But the one thing I struggle with is the work/life balance. When I’m at work, I feel like I should be at home. When I’m at home, I feel like I should be at...

To the moms that tiptoe across the house in hopes they can get their first sip of coffee in before seeing a kid, I see you. To the ones who set their alarms earlier and earlier each day as the list of morning to-do’s grows, I see you. I see you. This is the first year I started school with a child of my own at home. I wear a new hat - MOM. I am a wife, a teacher, and a mom. All three jobs requiring an outpouring of love, understanding, patience, lots of energy, and constant smiles. To say all went well would be a lie. There were a lot tears from me, from my son, and from students. There were...

If I had a dollar for every time a friend or family member told me they would start a big project soon … I’d be able to get CC’s twice a day. Think about how many times you or someone you know says the following: I’m starting a new diet on Monday. I need an entire day to clean my house because it’s gotten so out of hand. I think I’m going to sign up for the gym next month. I have an idea for a podcast that I’m going to start soon. I spent a ton of money this weekend, but I’m going to eat at home and bring a lunch to work every single day next week. ...

The past summer was a blur. As the school year came to a close, we breathed out a sigh of relief at the thought that this nightmarish time could all be behind us. Yet, even as we took off our masks and made plans to get out and enjoy the sunshine, it was as if the weather knew better. A lot like the shutdown, storm after storm reeked havoc on plans and kept us inside for most of summer break. Then, the masks went back up. Before we knew it, school was in session once more in the midst of surge after surge of this virus. Even now, our worlds are being rocked again by extreme unrest overseas. The rollercoaster has been...