Your Survival Guide To Thriving (Not Just Surviving)Parenthood

Let's be honest these past few years have thrown us all some curveballs. Between managing remote work calls while someone small demands snacks, scrolling through social media wondering if everyone else has their life together (spoiler alert: they don't), and trying to remember the last time you had a conversation that didn't revolve around screen time or what's for dinner, we're all feeling a little overwhelmed. Here's the thing though, even though we have all heard this a dozen times before (but for some reason most of us don’t listen), taking care of your family starts with taking care of yourself, and that's not selfish, it's absolutely essential.

At the end of the day, when the dishes are done, the homework battles are over, and you finally collapse onto the couch, what matters most is that everyone in your house feels loved, heard, and emotionally okay. The secret to achieving this isn't found in perfect Pinterest boards or color-coded family calendars (though if those work for you, more power to you!). It's about finding that sweet spot of peace, balance, and genuine connection in your relationships, starting with the one you have with yourself.

Think of these blogs as your personal GPS for navigating the beautiful chaos of modern parenting in 2025. I will cover the basics on how to keep everyone fed, rested, and emotionally regulated; but more importantly, I will help you create a parenting approach that actually fits your family's unique dynamic. Because here's what I've learned; when you feel grounded, confident, and maybe even a little bit joyful about this parenting gig, everything else starts to fall into place.

My "Oh Wow, I'm Writing a Blog" Moment

Picture this, I'm sitting in a coffee house (because let's face it, Barnes & Noble doesn't have the same cozy writing vibes it used to), laptop open, surrounded by the gentle hum of espresso machines and people having important sounding calls. I'm staring at a blank document, thinking, "What exactly do I have to say that hasn't already been said by every parenting influencer, podcast host, and self-help guru out there?" Then it hit me. I've personally and professionally, spent over 20 years watching parents frantically search for answers. I have been on the front lines in their homes, in the thick of it all. So many of us are scrolling through TikTok for sleep training hacks at 2:00 am, messaging mom groups asking if their toddler's latest behavior is "normal," or diving deep into parenting Reddit threads looking for that one magic solution. I was that parent too, standing in bookstore aisles hoping to find the one book that would finally make everything click. What I've realized is that parents today aren't just looking for advice on tantrums, potty training, eating issues or bedtime routines (though we definitely need that too). We're looking for permission to trust ourselves, strategies that work with our actual lives, and maybe just maybe a reminder that we're doing better than we think we are.

This blog is about more than just raising kids. It's about creating a family life that feels sustainable, joyful, peaceful, and authentically yours. It's about maintaining your relationship with your partner when you're both running on four hours of sleep and the last romantic conversation you had was about whose turn it is to handle the grocery shopping. And if you're flying solo as a single parent, juggling everything from bedtime stories to bill-paying without a teammate to tag in this is especially for you, because the challenge of maintaining your own identity while being everything to everyone is real and exhausting. Most importantly, it's about rediscovering who you are as a person, not just as a parent, because that's where all the good stuff starts.

Who Am I to Tell You How to Parent?

Great question! I'm a parent, stepparent, daughter, sister, and someone who's spent over 20 years as a Child Development Specialist professionally supporting families through every scenario you can imagine (and some you probably can't). I'm writing this from the trenches, both personally and professionally because I've learned that the best parenting advice comes from people who've actually been there, done that, and lived to tell about it.

While my degrees in Child Development and Psychology and my various certifications are nice to have, my real qualification is this; I've been welcomed into hundreds of homes over the years. I've seen what works, what doesn't, and what makes families genuinely thrive. I've watched parents have breakthrough moments and I've been there for the meltdowns and tears (both kid and adult versions). Most importantly, I've learned that successful parenting isn't about perfection, it's about connection, consistency, and a healthy sense of humor about the beautiful mess that family life can be.

My life has been a masterclass in "things you never planned for." I was married at 21, divorced by 23 (young and ambitious, what can I say?), remarried at 28 for 27 years, navigated step-parenting drama that could rival any Netflix series, handled medical emergencies that tested every ounce of my ability to remain levelheaded, and worked with families dealing with everything from special needs challenges, to addiction, divorce, financial stress, the foster care system, all forms of abuse and neglect, and just plain old everyday parenting chaos.

Here's what I've discovered; whether you're a single parent trying to do it all, a couple with a rock-solid marriage, or somewhere in between, we're all figuring it out as we go. The Instagram “perfect” families and the families struggling to keep it together are asking the same questions; "Am I doing this right?" and "How do I raise kids who are happy, confident, secure and kind?"

In my future blogs, I'm pulling back the curtain on everything I've learned about creating a family life that actually feels good to live in. We're talking real, practical strategies for self-care that go beyond "take a bubble bath" (though honestly, if you can squeeze one in, go for it). I'll share the insider tricks for transforming your home from a stress-filled battlefield into a peaceful sanctuary where everyone can actually relax and enjoy each other's company. You'll discover how to build more harmony and less chaos into your daily routine, create systems that work for your actual life (not your Pinterest-perfect fantasy life), and most importantly, how to show up as the parent you want to be, even on the days when you're running on caffeine fumes and sheer determination. Because here's what I know for sure; when you feel grounded, centered, and genuinely good about yourself, everything else in your family starts to click into place. Your kids feel it, your relationships improve, and suddenly parenting becomes less about surviving each day and more about actually enjoying this beautiful, messy journey. Stay tuned for my next blog for the first Roadmap and Guide to Parenting from a Place of Peace and Not Panic!