Red Stick Mom

The recent death of beloved actor Robin Williams has really opened a lot of people's eyes to the impact that depression and suicide can have on even the most cheerful among us. Did you know that suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24? As a mom it's hard for me to wrap my head around, but as a social worker I totally get it. Adolescence and early adulthood are tumultuous times, and kids often feel hopeless, misunderstood, and confused. Add to this a bunch of interpersonal conflict and the fact that teens are not yet capable of understanding the long term consequences of their actions, and you've got a recipe for disaster. So what can you...

While I was pregnant with my now almost-9-month-old son, William, I of course had lots of expectations for what life would be like once he arrived, but I really think that you can’t truly know what it’s like to have a new baby until you experience it. Many of my fellow bloggers have either recently had babies or are currently expecting, and that has me thinking about my own experiences when my son was born. I sat down recently and made a list of some things that I will remember most about being a brand-new mom. Everyone’s experience is different, and these are a few things that I will remember about having my first baby: There was a lot of...

Blake’s recent post, Things I Hope My Daughter Learns, got me thinking about what I hope my son learns. Of course, there are tons of things I hope he learns—how to ride a bike, how to play an instrument, how to cook a meal, and so on and so on. But I got to thinking about what I hope he learns deeply. Deep down inside his bones. What I hope he learns from me and my husband and our marriage and our faith. Things that will affect his overall life experience and, hopefully, give him a sense of joy throughout his lifetime. 1. I hope he learns stubbornness. I know I’ll probably regret saying this when he starts telling me...

"It's the thought that counts." We have all heard that saying, but did you ever consider that maybe our society THINKS too much and doesn't actually ACT? So often we think we support each other; however, so few put their support into action. Acting out support for each other in this (frequently negative) world is a wonderful way to make a difference not only in the lives of others, but also in your own life. It is so easy to become focused on the daily happenings in your own life that it's easy to lose a sense of camaraderie and community. Doing a good deed just does something for your soul that is inexplicable. Honestly, I love the way my heart...

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Indie Plate, a local grocery delivery service.  We proudly stand behind their product and the ideas presented in this post. "Breakfast is the most important meal of your day" - this is a saying that is often echoed by everyone around us. But with kids and work and a generally busy schedule, who has the time in the morning to cook up a lavish breakfast? What can you do as a busy mom who wants to feed their family a delicious breakfast, but just can't find the time or the energy in the morning to hit the kitchen? Like we, at IndiePlate, always say - "We don't just want to be known as a...