Tag: independence
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Transitioning from ‘Mommy’ to ‘Mom’: A Bittersweet Shift
Get Pregnant Fast I can vividly recall the moment my three daughters first uttered the word “mama.” With their tiny lips forming the sounds “mm-mmaa mm-mmaa mm-mmaa,” I eagerly awaited that magical moment when they would officially recognize me by this endearing title. It’s astonishing how a single word can evoke such profound feelings. Mama.…
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8 ½ Amazing Perks of Having Older Kids
Get Pregnant Fast Navigating the journey of parenthood is full of twists and turns, especially when your little ones grow up. Here are 8 ½ awesome benefits of having older children that might just make you smile. First and foremost, you can finally say goodbye to diaper duty. No more wrestling with tiny bottoms while…
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9 Annoying Things Tweens Do That Are Actually Incredible
Get Pregnant Fast Parenting a tween can feel like riding a roller coaster—thrilling, unpredictable, and sometimes a little nauseating. My 12-year-old son, Jake, recently insisted on painting his room a striking shade of dark blue. Rather than flat-out rejecting the idea, I suggested a vibrant teal as a compromise. Luckily, he loved the idea, and…
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Empowering Our Children Through Failure
Get Pregnant Fast In today’s parenting landscape, it’s all too common for us to shield our children from failure. Yet, as educator and author Mia Thompson reveals in her insightful book, The Gift of Failure, this instinct may actually hinder their growth. After years of teaching and parenting, Mia had a revelation: despite our best…
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The Journey to Regaining Independence as a Mother
Get Pregnant Fast In the midst of the dinner rush last night, with pots bubbling and pans clattering, my phone buzzed. It was a text from a close friend, inviting me over for a glass of wine after the kids were tucked in. Initially, I began to type my usual response, the one that signals,…
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Embracing Risk: The Surprising Benefits of Allowing Our Kids to Explore
Get Pregnant Fast Recently, my eldest daughter took the plunge—literally—when she went skydiving with friends. While she soared through the sky, my husband and I anxiously awaited updates, refreshing our phones with every notification. This is just part of the parenting journey, isn’t it? The moment I became a parent, my instinct to protect that…
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Empowering My Adult Daughter with Down Syndrome: A Journey of Trust and Growth
Get Pregnant Fast As my daughter Emma approaches her college graduation in just a couple of weeks, I find myself reflecting on what this milestone means for both of us. What does it signify for her as she embarks on this new chapter, and how does it reshape my role as her mother? When Emma…
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What You Might Not Know About the Sophomore Send-Off
Get Pregnant Fast As the sophomore send-off approaches, you may find yourself grappling with emotions that rival those of the freshman drop-off—even more intense in some ways. What people often overlook is that the child you tearfully left at college just last spring has transformed into a young man—one who appears to need you even…
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The 4 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make with School-Age Kids
Get Pregnant Fast As a seasoned elementary school teacher, I’ve encountered a diverse range of personalities in the classroom: the diligent rule-followers, the mischievous troublemakers, the nurturing caregivers, the jokesters, the high achievers, and the ones who struggle to keep up. It’s fascinating how much a child’s behavior can be traced back to their upbringing.…
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Why I Choose Not to Mediate My Kids’ Friendship Disputes
Get Pregnant Fast As a parent, I wear many hats: the designated driver, the comforter of scraped knees, and the enforcer of bedtime rules. However, one role I consciously avoid is that of a friendship mediator. When my kids come to me with their squabbles, the conversation typically unfolds like this: “Mom! You won’t believe…