Ages & Stages

Facing Childhood Fears The whimsical worries of childhood! My two tiny tornados, Jack and Jacob, are navigating the wild world of kid fears. Jack, my 8-year-old mini-me, is convinced that his basketball skills will fail him (and so will his friends). Meanwhile, Jacob, my fearless kindergarten explorer, is certain that mischievous monsters are hiding in every crayon box. As their mom, it's my job to save the day (or at least offer a comforting hug). I let them know how wonderful they are. That everyone, even Lebron James missed shots sometimes (sorry Lebron). For Jack, we're perfecting his jump shot (with a healthy dose of mom jokes to distract him from any misses). And when friendship fears creep in, we have a...

Hi! I’m a Carpool Mom! The joyride of carpooling! My trusty car, aka the "Snuggle Wagon," is where the magic happens. I’ll take quality time where I can get it. Buckle up, kids!  As we hit the road, we play our favorite game, "Guess the Song." Jack, my third-grade math whiz, sings along to Taylor Swift at the top of his lungs, while Jacob, my kindergarten artist, giggles uncontrollably to "The Wheels on the Bus." I love watching them let loose and have fun. Snuggled up with blankets and munching on snacks, we take a moment to boost each other up. I remind Jack that he's an amazing math problem-solver and that Jacob is a brave and creative artist. They beam with pride,...

Roommate Phase Much? After dinner finishes, we put on our imaginative jerseys and get to work with our common goal - bedtime. GO TEAM! The kitchen chair has saucy Tikka Masala handprints and there’s rice peppering the floor. My son throws the spoon of squash purée for the fifth time. The floor is a canvas, creative and colorful. One we will wipe clean every night. The artists are unruly and playful all in one tiny body. Grab the little people before they carry the mess to another part of the house. Bath time makes a referee of me: “No splashing!” “That’s a foul!" “Don’t snatch toys!” “One more move like that and you’re ejected!” How are the dishes already spilling out of the sink? One of us tackles that corner of the...

Mom, I'm Hungry!! Lately, things for me have really been chaotic, and it seems like the time is going so fast. With changing careers, working, studying, cleaning the house, and being a football mom. I am on auto pilot and going along for the ride. One thing that I find myself doing the most and I did not even list is COOKING. What was I thinking, leaving that one out, it's the most important thing in life as mom. Blow the whistle, there is a flag on that play!! Do not mind me, I am talking football. No matter what I am doing, if my son is with me all I hear is “Mom, I'm hungry" and my reply is...

Disclosure :: This post is sponsored by Take Note. GEO Next Generation High School Expands Dual Enrollment and Associate Degree Opportunities GEO Next Generation High School is making strides in enhancing post-secondary opportunities for its students through an expanded dual enrollment and associate degree program, addressing Louisiana’s educational challenges head-on. Louisiana ranks 45th in the nation for its four-year graduation rate, with only 27.1 percent of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2022. These statistics underscore the importance of initiatives like those at GEO Next Generation, which aims to provide students with a more equitable path to higher education. Shaunessy Matthews, the new principal at GEO Next Generation, is passionate about providing her students with accessible post-secondary opportunities. “I want...