Is my heart ready? Is she ready? I know she’s ready. I knew this day was approaching and by the press of one single word… accept… my girl is off to college. My heart is beaming with pride and joy as excitement emanates out of my pores. But I can’t deny it, there is also a twinge of self-doubt. I know, it’s silly. But I can’t push it away. I can’t pretend it isn’t consuming my thoughts. My mind is racing as my heart is pumping and questions are swirling around me catapulting me into a frenzy of thought bubbles floating over my head. Did I teach her enough about life? Does she feel strong k ..read more

Sometimes we all need to rest our weary heads, take pause, and simply sit for a moment. It may not look pretty. We may look like a mess. But we are doing exactly what we are meant to do, at that moment. Some days we truly need to rest our weary heads. Maybe we are in overdrive due to not being able to shut down thoughts that perseverate through our mind, day after day, and the stress taking hold causing feelings of isolation… it’s okay to rest your weary head. Maybe it’s taking on too much as a Mom and attempting to be everything to everyone, answering what feels like hundreds of question ..read more

It’s hard letting you go a little bit more, day by day, but be patient with me through this process… I’m trying. It’s hard watching you continue to grow, knowing in the near future you will be on your own… I’m trying. It’s hard reliving memories and often wanting to put it all on pause… I’m trying. It’s hard knowing I have made so many mistakes and wish I could go back in time and redo it all… I’m trying. It’s hard believing my once missing front tooth child with dirty knees, is now ready to put on a cap and gown and fly… I’m trying. It’s hard gazing at you, feeling flooded with hun ..read more

To the worn-out mama, there is hope in tomorrow. To the mama battling herself, there is hope in tomorrow. To the mama suffering silently as anxiety takes over, there is hope in tomorrow. To the mama feeling lonely and out of touch with friends, there is hope in tomorrow. To the mama hoping for the new job offer to come through, there is hope in tomorrow. To the mama worrying about her little one not reaching milestones, there is hope in tomorrow. To the mama wishing for a call from her grown child to catch up, there is hope in tomorrow. To the mama who hasn’t slept in days, there is hope in to ..read more

As our kids get older, they tend to let go of holiday traditions long before we are ready to admit. There will be times our kids aren’t as excited about the holidays as they used to be. But no matter how old my kids get they will always get an Easter basket and here’s why! Long gone are the days waiting for the Easter Bunny to arrive and leave carrots out as a snack. But as a mom, I do believe there is a secret part of our teens that wants to embrace the silly traditions and just go with it. So I decided to lean into each holiday and keep all of the traditions going. Even if there are eye roll ..read more

Do you ever feel like you are lost on your motherhood journey while raising teens? Do you ever feel like you don’t know the best way to reach your teen? Do you sometimes feel you have lost the connection you once had? Or maybe you are searching for new ways to communicate with the budding adult living under your roof? YOU ARE NOT ALONE! There have been so many evenings I lie awake at night wondering and often worrying about how I can best understand my big kid and most of these times I turn to books for support and some new parenting tools. Thinking of all of my fellow mamas, I created a list ..read more

Do you feel overwhelmed when you think about packing for your college bound kid? I’m here to help! I have taken some of my favorite products and linked them here for your convenience. Just click on the link and you will be directed to the product listed. For my entire list of items for the college dorm room, visit my Amazon Storefront (Hang in there Mama). Hang in there, Mama. You’ve got this! 100 Items for the College Dorm Room     Ikea 10 X Large Blue   LUGGEX Expandable Hard Shell Carry On Luggage   Foldable Carry on Bag   Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Mops for Floor Cl ..read more

Remember teaching your little one how to ride a bike and how to feel balanced?  Lean too far left, you fall.  Lean too far right, you fall.  But center yourself perfectly and there it is…the sweet spot.  As I watch from afar my daughter’s hair blowing in the humid air, as she pedals down the road, I can’t help but think it is similar to teaching her how to ride a bike, life too is a balancing act.  It’s the art of balancing joy and despair.  We face turmoil even after a beautiful sunrise. We feel sadness even after laughter fills the room. We feel lost even when w ..read more

“Mom, can you make me a cup of tea?” echoes down the staircase and I stop what I’m doing to fill up the tea kettle.  You see, making tea is a simple thing which connects us together.  I know it sounds funny but it’s true.  Maybe it’s tea for one daughter or an egg sandwich for another but to me it’s love.  It’s the love in my heart encompassing them before they begin their day. Their world is hectic. The ever demanding schedule of school and the agonizing wait for college acceptance emails is brutal. Plus let’s add on the unnerving pulse of school safety lurking around each ..read more

High school and college graduations are quickly approaching and as our graduate dons their cap and gown, and Pomp and Circumstance echos through the theater or stadium, we may be wondering how to celebrate this milestone moment. Our graduates are beaming with pride while still seeking out inspirational words of encouragement. They have conquered the stress of high school and college academic pressure but they still need support during this transitional time. They may be moving many states away and need a way to stay connected. Graduation is a time to inspire your graduate and a gift filled wit ..read more