MilSpouse Life
Military life is one of those things that will take all the life plans you jotted on a piece of paper, crumple them up and throw them in the shredder. Gasp. Military spouses and significant others, you might feel a little discouraged hearing this. I certainly did at first too. Growing up in the Midwest, I never envisioned leaving my [...]
DeploymentMurphy’s Law of Deployment for Civilians vs. Military Spouses
It was only a few days into the deployment. I looked down at my iPhone and it was completely blank. Couldn't turn the phone on or off. Couldn't press a single button. Couldn't reset it. Murphy's law of deployment was in full force and I still had months of deployment to conquer. The worst part? When you live overseas--at least in [...]
Why “The Finest Hours” is for Military Spouses
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Finest Hours. All opinions are 100% mine. The email read, “There are no words to describe how much I need you right now.” In an instant, I knew everything was about to change for me as a military spouse. As I sat safely at the comfort of my kitchen table in coastal North Carolina, I [...]
Raising Kids3 Ways to Teach Your Child to Listen in Unsafe Situations
One of the most common requests I get from readers is how to make kids listen quickly in an unsafe situations. This could be your child running into a busy street and not knowing how to stop them. This could be your child pushing another child and catching it after someone is already hurt. Or maybe it involves seeing your child climb [...]
The Ultimate Summer Reading List for Military Spouses
It's is the perfect time for military families to plan a long weekend to their favorite local vacation spot. We love to stay at on base beach lodging if it exists, which is not to be confusing with on base camping. Because camping is a four letter word in our home. Why sleep outside when you can sleep inside? At any rate, no matter [...]
The Tantrum Taming Tip Most Parents Don’t Know
My strong willed toddler was enthralled with a simple penguin stairs toy. It probably only cost a few bucks, but to him it was magic. I watched him play as his eyes lit up like a bright star on a clear summer night. The toy reminded me so much of my own childhood. Again and again, he watched the penguins go up the stairs and down [...]
5 Beautiful Life Lessons Military Kids Will Teach You
The house was calm for the first time in a few weeks. It felt weird. My military kids were playing together on the living room floor with all of their army toys for kids we purchased to help them cope with their daddy being away. I was plopped on my ottoman with my hands wrapped around a hot cup of coffee. In the weeks prior, things were [...]
Mom LifeThe Actual Reason Moms Don’t Take Care of Themselves
I remember when I was twenty-four, childless, and single. I was sitting on a white sand beach in Mexico and my only care in the world was whether my next drink would be a Pina Colata or a Mai Tai. Life was good. When I think about being selfish and taking care of me, I dream about Mexico. I think about how I’d love to [...]
How to Give Your Kid Control Without Being Permissive
About a week ago, I fell into a permissive parenting trap. I was leaving a baby shower to meet my husband and kids for a family photo session. As I started walking out the door, a friend handed me a ball shaped shower favor wrapped in red tissue paper. I looked at her, “What’s this?” “Skittles,” she said, “They’re for your son [...]
The Biggest Mistake Even Good Moms Make
At 3:26 am I laid back down in bed wondering what to do next. All the parenting drama always happens around 3 am, doesn't it? I was a brand new mom with a 6 month-old baby who refused to sleep. He just finished a night feeding and I settled him back into his crib. I tip-toed carefully back to my bed, attempting to not even breathe. As I [...]
