Dirty Socks, Clean Rooms, and Raising Adults
Oh my gosh, did you see Palmer’s email last week—the one with the towering pile of dirty laundry? I laughed out loud! Maybe it was a slightly trauma-induced laugh…it brought back so many memories of trying to get Palmer, my strong-willed middle son, to clean his room as a teenager. It was a serious challenge! I pulled […]
Every kid needs one
Kerry here 🙂 When I was a kid, I called my mom’s best friend “Mother Millie.” I didn’t give it much thought that she was there for me…. That is, until my parents divorced when I was a teen. I was devastated and so embarrassed that this was happening to OUR family. Since we didn’t […]
They didn’t tell me it’s about the little things
In today’s email, I want to share a realization I’ve had about what truly matters in parenting. I wish they had told me that parenthood is about the little things. I used to think that parenting was about raising a good kid. Responsible. Successful. Smart. Kind. Good values. Yada, yada, yada. Now I know that parenting […]
Challenge to Learn New Things About Family and Friends
When Palmer was 15 and 16, he couldn’t stand me much of the time. It was so hard to connect with him. Makes sense. It’s hard to connect with someone who doesn’t like you. But dang it, this was my kid! The precious little baby I used to rock in my arms. The little guy who always said, “Mommy […]
Waiting for Baby James: A Lesson in Presence
It’s Wednesday morning, February 12th, and I’m at the hospital in the labor and delivery waiting room. The bitter cold outside contrasts with the blue sky and gorgeous, snow-capped mountains of Colorado visible through the large windows in the waiting room. Palmer’s last text mentioned Anabelle was about to start pushing. Now, uncertainty fills the […]
How to Stop Having the Same Argument
Do you find yourself having the same frustrating arguments with your kid or partner over and over? You know, the ones where you feel hurt or worried… something tender… but somehow spirals into defensiveness and anger on both sides. These repetitive fights remind me of long childhood bus rides. We’d belt out “100 Bottles of […]
Protect Your Peace
I was inspired by an article by motivational speaker and former NFL player Trent Shelton about how to protect our peace in a noisy world. He asserts that “protecting our peace isn’t a catch phrase but a lifeline in a world filled with noise and endless demands.” As I do with almost everything, I read his tips […]
Being vs Doing: A Letter to My Younger Self
Kerry here! 😊 Walking through Hobby Lobby with my nine-day old baby in my arms, I was intent on getting supplies to make my dad a really cool sweatshirt for Father’s Day, which was just five weeks after my third son was born. A woman in the store heard my baby’s little newborn sounds and […]
I have been a thousand different women
Kerry here. Happy New Year! So long 2024, hello 2025! love the process of filling out the Year Compass, a free download where you reflect on the past year and look forward to the new year. It’s a cool process and lends itself to great introspection and conversations with loved ones. I’ve shared the link in case […]
A Simple Trick for Staying Calm During Holiday Family Time
Kerry here. 🙂 The holiday season brings extended family time, which can spark both joy and stress. With kids out of school and celebrations ahead, these mixed emotions are perfectly normal. Here’s a strategy for staying calm during challenging family moments: When my son Palmer was 15, his morning grumpiness would often affect our entire […]
