What do you say when your best friend's child is sick? What words of comfort do special needs parents need to hear? What do they NOT want to hear? Words of comfort for special needs parents: I received a text message from my best friend. Her daughter was admitted to the hospital (again) last View Post
How to Comfort a Grieving Mother
What do you say when your best friend's child has been diagnosed with cancer? I didn't know how to comfort a grieving mother. But these tips helped... What do you say to a mother, your best friend, who’s 4 year old was just diagnosed with Leukemia? What do you do when you live several states away View Post
Ten Things to Tell Your Kids About Bullying!
Talk to your kids about bullying: School is back in session. Old friendships will be rekindled, new ones formed. Most kids return to school with a healthy mix of excitement and hesitation. Parents everywhere share those same emotions. What will the new year bring? What triumphs? What trials? View Post
Breastfeeding Advice From 67 of Your Breast Friends
Where do you find your breastfeeding support? I recently reached out to YOU (aka my readers/ friends/ fellow moms) to hear the best breastfeeding advice you ever received… and now i have bundled this fantastic package of 67 estrogen-filled, supportive hugs into one big article! Bookmark View Post
The 100 Best Random Acts of Kindness for Kids
Random Acts of Kindness for Kids “Mama, do you know what day it is on Wednesday?” Jansen, with his toothless grin looked at me with suspense in his voice. He’s our first grader. Our old soul. He’s the kid who gives me a well-timed hug when I am having a bad day or he picks yellow flowers on the View Post
Are You Asking The 10 Questions That Will Keep Your Child Safe?
Play dates! Love them or hate them, they are a great way to get your child to socialize with their friends. Now that our two oldest are in elementary school they are starting to invite friends over to the house. Sometimes we know the parents, but there have been times where we have set up “blind View Post
Asking Saves Kids! I Ask! Do You? #AskingSavesKids
June 21st is the first day of summer! Ahhhhh, summer! It’s the time of year where families reunite across the miles. Vacations are spent in relatives’ homes and the kids have an endless stream of playdates with friends. We become more relaxed with bed time and even meal time. But as parents, our View Post
Why You Should ALWAYS Tell People When They Look Weird
As a writer, I find inspiration in everyday encounters. Something completely ordinary happens and it may spur a domino effect of thoughts and later become an article. Recently someone said something to me that... well - I don't want to spoil it for you. Keep reading and find out why you should View Post
Caring for the Caregiver: Build (a Network) and They Will come
Hi There! I’m Mandy, Wife to Jim, Mama to Andrew (6), Jacob (5), & Grace (2). We live in sunny Arizona are doing our best to live out this life with intention, laughter and fun. I love this topic of Caring for the Caregiver. I was thinking a little about what I would write about and the View Post
Moms With Grade School Personalities! Would We Have Been Friends?
I have a theory that people never really change over the years. Before this article sparks a big philosophical debate, I challenge you to think of your circle of mommy friends in Any Town, USA. I made my own observations last week when I volunteered at my sons’ elementary school during their book View Post
Writer vs. Hugger?
I come to this space to write, to pour my heart out about things that are on my mind. Some days I write about the things that are going on right now, but some days those things are too close for comfort - so I write about things that have happened in the past. I write, because it frees up space in View Post
“My Other Ex” – A Book Review and A Personal Story
I was recently given the opportunity to read “MY OTHER EX: WOMEN’S TRUE STORIES OF LOSING AND LEAVING FRIENDS” edited by Jessica Smock and Stephanie Sprenger, before its release on September 15. As a woman, mother, sister, daughter - I am well versed in the intricacies of the female friendship - View Post
Ten Signs That Your Facebook Friend Is a BFF!
Social media is transforming and shaping friendships every day. Busy moms no longer have to spend hours on the phone to stay in touch with our BFFs (Best Friends Forever), we can now text, chat, PM, and tweet - all while sitting bra-less on the couch in our yoga pants. We can juggle kids, cooking, View Post
Seven Reasons to be Nice to Others
There are some truly amazing people in this world - and I am blessed to count some of them as my friends. These people glow from the inside out. Their intentions are pure, their first considerations are always of others and they are inherently “good people”. They have learned the hard way that View Post