If you are a military spouse, you are likely no stranger to deployments and the challenging missions many service members bravely face in the tenuous global climate we live in today. Keeping your marriage strong during deployment and learning to reconnect after a deployment is challenging, yet it can be done. Several years ago my [...]
Archives for February 2015
How You REALLY Can Help a New Mom
Sometimes it’s really hard to know what exactly to do in order to best help a new mom. Before I had kids, I was pretty much clueless in that department. Even now after that challenging season has passed, it’s easy to forget about the best ways to help a new mom. Reflecting now, I’m so grateful for all the friends and family who lifted [...]
How to Help Toddlers Cope with Big Emotions
Life is stressful for toddlers, and helping toddlers cope with big emotions can feel equally as stressful. As a parent you’ve probably been in a situation or two when your toddler started to throw a tantrum. To let all the emotions burst out over the most illogical thing. Maybe it happened at a grocery store or when going to daycare or [...]
Are Essential Oils Actually Safe?
When I first started on my essential oil journey, I can honestly say I didn’t quite know what to expect. I had heard of them for years, and I often wondered, "Are essential oils safe?" In addition to that, the price turned me off initially. I'm definitely fall on the frugal side of things, and I usually take a bit before taking the plunge [...]
18 Ways Military Life Changes You for the Better
When I was in my early twenties enjoying college life back in the Midwest, I would’ve laughed in your face if you told me I would be living in Japan as a stay-at-home mom living a military life. I had big dreams of scaling my nursing career ladder, breaking the glass ceiling, and being a strong independent woman like nobody’s [...]
What It’s Really Like to Live as a Military Family Stationed Overseas
When the opportunity for Japan came up, my husband and I volunteered to move there. Really we did. People are always surprised to hear that. “Oh, Japan. Really?” “Yes, really!” We saw Japan as an amazing opportunity to gain life experience, learn another culture, and do something we never did before. Of course, we would miss our [...]
Military PCS Moves: Building a Strong Community After Moving
As a military wife and mom living overseas to Japan, I am very familiar with starting over following a military PCS move. With each military move comes an opportunity to build new friendships and community. It may feel incredibly daunting and scary sometimes, thinking about moving far from friends and family, with whom you've worked hard [...]
3 Important Goals to Consider Before Baby Sleep Training
Sometimes baby sleep training gets a bad rap. There are countless misconceptions about what baby sleep training really involves, and readers frequently are ask questions about first steps to take and overall sleep goals for baby. I relate so much to that feeling... How do you know which baby sleep tips are best for healthy sleep [...]
9 Phrases That Change Life With a Toddler
I walked into the bathroom and closed the door. I could still hear my kids screaming through the bathroom door, as my face fell into the palms of my hands. It was the toddler day from you know where. I wanted to say and do some really mean things to my kids. I reached my limit. Do good moms even say things like that? I told myself [...]
Toddler Anxiety: 3 Strategies That Really Work
Recently there was an opportunity for me to join a local women’s group. I was beyond excited since several times a month I would get to gain fellowship with other women, nurture my often neglected self, and there would be childcare provided for my son. A win-win! There was an added benefit here: My son would have to opportunity to [...]