Before I became a parent, I assumed parenting was hard.

Then I had my first baby and quickly realized that parenting is way harder than I ever could have imagined.

When my baby became a toddler with his own big personality, an inhuman-like ability to slither like a snake out of my arms when he didn’t want to be carried, and a deep commitment to throwing massive tantrums, I realized that parenting had somehow become even more challenging.

Fast forward to today and I find myself facing the hardest phase yet of parenting: parenting a high schooler. With just a short bit of time so far under his belt as a high school freshman, I find myself more confused than ever when it comes to how to parent my son. ​​

Originally published on Grown and Flown. Click HERE to read the full article.

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This is often a time of year when I feel so completely alive as a mother – clear in how I am valued and where I am needed. It also is a time of when I feel stressed, overwhelmed, and alone — the weight of a successful start to the new school year resting solely on my shoulders. 
Today that weight was lifted and I am equal parts relieved, heartbroken, and proud. 

Originally published on Grown and Flown. Click HERE to read the full article.

This is our official first day of high school picture and it sums up our feelings on the school year perfectly.

No.

Nope.

Not this.

Stop.

Get out.

Go away.

We want normal.

Every parent, student, teacher, and administrator is having their patience, compassion, and ability to strike balance tested on a serious level these days.

After just one day of a hybrid model of remote and in-person learning, I’m exhausted as a parent.

I’ve spent all my hopefulness. I’ve used all my patience. I’ve done all I can do.

Our family gave today our best. Tonight we regroup, refuel, reset our expectations, and hope that each day will get easier.

A friend’s child asked her today “will it always be like this?”

We all could benefit from asking ourselves that question every day.

We need to remember that this time in our lives will pass. It is temporary. Brighter days are ahead.

It will not always be like this.

​Here’s to finding the bright spots while we wait.

As the summer begins to wind down and fall begins to knock gently on our door, I typically find myself in my happy place—not because of pumpkin spice anything, or leggings and boots, or shiny new academic year planners and school supplies — but because both of my boys are boys of fall.

Article originally published on Her View From Home. Click HERE to read the full article.