Raising a teenager is already a challenge, but when your child is multiracial, it adds another layer of complexity. As a mom of four—a teenager, a preteen, an early elementary son, and a toddler daughter—I’ve had my fair share of conversations about race, identity, and belonging. Over the years, my kids have been asked questions that made them pause, sometimes making them feel like they didn’t quite fit in anywhere. Questions like: Then there are the … [Read more...]
Why I Don’t Care If You (Or Anyone Else) Thinks I Have Too Many Kids
How do you know if someone has too many kids? For me, I always knew that I wanted three. Thankfully, my husband and I have always been on the same page. We knew the challenges that came with raising children, so we decided to reevaluate after each child so that we didn't take on more than we could handle. When I was pregnant with my third child, I noticed looks from strangers when I was out with my girls. I was told frequently that my hands were full … [Read more...]
How to Teach Your Kids to Love the Skin They’re In
*This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you subscribe or purchase something through the links on this page.* This post was also published by the Huffington Post. As parents, it's our job to teach our kids (and educators) how to love the skin they're in. If this wasn't a lesson you were taught as a child, it may be difficult to know where to start. As a school counselor, the … [Read more...]
3 Kinds of Friends Every Mother Needs to Have in Her Tribe
Maintaining friendships becomes more difficult as seasons in life change, especially the season of becoming a mother. The way I see it, there are 3 kinds of friends: single, married with no kids & married with kids. There are definite advantages to each. Single Single friends keep you from being boring. They make the best shopping partners! The downside is that you can't just hit the road and hang out like in the old days. You have to find a babysitter … [Read more...]
Every Mother has a Story to Tell: A Story about Identity
Today on the blog I am welcoming Brittany Muddamalle from The Almost Indian Wife. She's sharing her story about identity. I’ve always wanted to be a parent, but in all my daydreaming I never could have expected what my life would look like after I had kids. Motherhood isn’t what I thought it would be. In my head, it was all about monumental firsts, cute little babies, and life changing moments. In reality, motherhood is all the good moments and the … [Read more...]
How to Squeeze in Quality Time with Kids When Both Parents Work
Guilt. So many parents feel guilty about having to work because they aren't present with their children. They feel guilty about wanting to take a break when their kids want some quality time (me included) What's the solution? I have a few ideas about how you can fit some quality time into your everyday routines. Come Up with a Morning/Breakfast Routine Say a prayer after breakfast. Listen to your favorite song on the way to school. Find a way to foster bonding … [Read more...]
Why I’m jealous of the stay at home mom (but she’s still my best friend)
They tell you in school that if you pick a job you love, you’ll never work another day in your life. That’s mostly true, but with any job, you will face challenges that aren’t fun. I have worked in education for nearly 10 years. I love helping students and families. The kind of work I do can be very fulfilling most days. However, whenever I have a significant time off work (Thanksgiving, Christmas or Spring Break), I go into full mommy mode. I have the … [Read more...]
Bring a Multicultural Festival to Your School: A Step by Step Guide
*I received these products free through a partnership with Oriental Trading Company. Even though the product I received was free, all opinions are solely mine.* Planning a multicultural festival is a great way highlight the cultural diversity of your community through music, dance, art, storytelling and more. Want to plan one at your school? Read below to find out how! Form a Multicultural Festival Committee The committee should be comprised of teachers, school … [Read more...]
Does Loving my Family Mean that I No Longer Love Myself?
Being a mother is a tricky position to play. It often means late nights, no sick days, and giving more of yourself to your family than you ever imagined. One of the hardest parts about motherhood is answering the question that we are afraid to answer: Does loving my family mean that I no longer love myself? Here are a few ways mothers sacrifice themselves for their families: … [Read more...]