Holidays are great and all, but what about the relative(s) that you don’t want to see? You can choose to avoid them completely, or if you’re stuck being around them because you don’t want to skip a gathering entirely, you have to handle them in small doses. I’m in the second category. Anyone else? Raise your hand then keep reading.

I get that this happens year-round. I have a whole side of my family that I don’t see because of this topic and, well, that’s not entirely…

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The holidays can be a difficult time for many people. Many deal with stress and/or depression, grief, or other issues like toxic family members. Some even go through the holidays alone. This can be especially hard. It's important to know how to stay emotionally healthy during this time so that you can enjoy the holidays and possibly be able to help someone you know.…

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I've been very open on this blog and in many other areas of my life about my struggles with drinking. My kids were center stage for some of the dumber things I did during that time, and I regret that so much. They finally stopped the barstool jokes, but it took a couple of years.

I took Julian to his 12-year checkup last week- his pediatrician talked to him about drugs and alcohol, if he had been asked to use…

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Teenage dating.

Yuck.

We have all been there- but these days it’s probably a bit different from when we were teens. There’s cell phones and tricky little things called apps. As of now, my boys still don’t have cell phones. They are bugging me quite a bit, but I still don’t see the point, so they remain phone-less.

I’m 35. Matthew and I started dating 20 years ago. I’m actually writing this post on our 13th wedding anniversary, September 10, 2018. If you do the math, we…

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ADHD and autism are very complex neurodevelopmental conditions. They can look a lot alike on the surface but when looked at a bit deeper, there are differences.





Let's Break This Down a Bit

Some experts say that it is not possible to have both diagnoses. This is impossible for me to believe because, well, these people haven't met Julian or some of the kids I've worked with. Julian's main diagnosis is, of course, ADHD combined, but autism is most definitely there. It may be… Continue

Most kids are not quiet. They tend to be loud, run around and get into things. Some kids are a bit more adventurous than others. They are easier to anger, yell or interrupt us. Maybe all of the above and more. This can go on for years past the “terrible twos”, which is supposed to end by age four at the latest.

THE TRIP INTO THE…

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Puberty is a Sneaky Thing

Teenagers, and all the interesting things that come along with them, sneak up on us before we even think we are ready. I barely blinked before Cameron turned 13. His voice is getting deep, he's taller than me, and what is food? It disappears before I see it. This kid is still writing the parenting manual at my house because, clearly, this book will never be done.

Peer…

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Some People Just Aren't Worth Your Time

It isn't always apparent right when you meet people if you can fully trust them or not. Some people put on a great facade and you can't always see them for who/what they really are. It may take time to see through the fakeness to the deeper side, which usually isn't pretty. People tend to hide the not-so-great things about themselves because they fear that they won't be liked. If you're generally negative, rude…

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Some People Just Aren't Worth Your Time

It isn't always apparent right when you meet people if you can fully trust them or not. Some people put on a great facade and you can't always see them for who/what they really are. It may take time to see through the fakeness to the deeper side, which usually isn't pretty. People tend to hide the not-so-great things about themselves because they fear that they won't be liked. If you're generally negative, rude…

Continue

It's Here...Summer Vacation

That magical time is upon us- summer vacation. My kids are in their last full week of school-this means last minute field trips and award ceremonies. School is out on May 31, and that means until August 15, these kids are all mine.

Yikes.

That also means I get to keep them from…

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Bullying has changed over the years. If you're reading this blog, you're most likely in your 20s, 30s, or maybe older. In that time, bullying meant maybe getting pushed around or rumors being spread.

Note: all sources will be listed at the end of this post.



These days, kids have gone a lot further. They're basically relentless once they start. There are different ways that bullying occurs.









Physical: this is an obvious one. Kids come home with… Continue

Once upon a time, I dreamed of having kids.



I did not specify the spacing of these kids.







The math is pretty easy, but the rest of it is an adventure.



Let’s break this down.



Cameron’s birthday is January 7, 2005. Ten months later, I found out that I was pregnant with Julian. His birthday is July 18, 2006. That’s 18 months and 11 days apart. 13 months later, we got the shock of a lifetime when I found out that I was pregnant with Lily. She… Continue