Continuing the Conversation

My writing started as a letter to my sons – and a history of our family and our memories together. That letter turned into a blog to explore parenting, mental health, and the joy and pain of living deeply. I realized I'd found my voice!

Mental Health

The Critical Role Teachers, Coaches, and Adult Mentors Play In Our Kids' Mental Health

When our children are little, we can handpick the people who care for them and influence them. But as they grow older and spend time in...

Happiness

You Are Not Alone

Alone. Numb. Weird. Different. Terrified. Tired. Misunderstood. Worried. Anxious. Sad. We’ve all felt these feelings at some point in our...

At Work

Mental Health at Work

“How are you?” How many times a day do we ask someone this question throughout the day? Probably every person we come in contact with...

Happiness

THIS is Not Love!

One thing that I want to be clear about from the very start is this – in many cases, relationship/domestic abuse typically happens...

At Work

Do We Really Still Need To Take the Sexual Harassment Training Every Year at Work?

“Cut her off. Don’t give her anymore vodka. It makes her clothes fall off!” This was said to me - not by a concerned close friend or my...

At Work

Note To Self...

You may not have everything you want but you will always have everything you need. Wear your seatbelt – no matter what. You were very...

Parenting

I'm still shocked that I survived that night...

“I can’t believe you walked away from that! Was anyone else in the car with you?” I still vividly remember being asked these questions...

At Work

Please, Don’t Call Me Superwoman

Years ago, a dear friend gave me a personalized coffee mug for my birthday. On it was a woman dressed fabulously for a business meeting...

Happiness

Everything Will Be OK

“Everything will be OK” – how many times in our lives have we longed to know simply that everything will be ok? Life throws a lot at you,...

Happiness

A Lesson In Perspective - seeing through another's eyes

Things aren’t always as we see them… “Can we have our rehearsal dinner at your house – your backyard would be perfect!” Several years ago...

Empty Nest

The Eight Words Every Parent Dreads Hearing at the Holidays

“Mom and Dad, I won’t be coming home.” Oh those dreaded words that no parent wants to hear. Hadn’t we made a deal – you could move away...

Empty Nest

What's Important Now? Now That my Children are Grown, What is My Purpose

Even though being a mom was never my only identity, now that my sons are grown, I find myself wondering what my purpose is — what is...

Empty Nest

Dreams of Our Own - it took my kids leaving home to realize I'd lost sight of my dreams

I’ll be honest right up front, I was never the Mom who martyred herself for her children. I never neglected myself or my needs when my...

Parenting

"Let's Talk!" - Mental health, the silent epidemic we all need to talk about...

Perfect – free from flaws. Raise your hand high if you’re perfect, if your family is perfect, if your life is perfect…Right, so no hands...

Parenting

"We're Just Like You" The One Phrase All Parents Need To Start Saying Right Now

Several years ago I joined some other parents to watch our sons play a lacrosse game. We were so busy chatting that we didn’t notice...

Parenting

Why The Phrase "Man Up" Misses The Point When Raising Our Sons

“Be a man!” “Man up!” – we’ve all heard these expressions used (usually when a guy is dealing with something difficult), and I don’t...

Parenting

We Absolutely Made the Right Choice to be Friends with Our Children

“I hate you!” – hearing your child scream this at you is not a rite of passage as a parent so why do many parents wear it as a badge of...

Parenting

10 Things That Helped Our Family with Our Journey Through Depression

A little over five years ago, my teenage son walked into my room and simply asked “Mom, can we talk?” He’d been suffering for a while -...

Self Care

Mom, are you okay?

“Hey Mom, are you OK?” “Sure. I’m fine.” I automatically give this reply even though it’s a lie – one that rolls easily off my tongue. I...

Parenting

Mom, Can We Talk?

The night my son told me about his depression and the beginning of our journey of healing and openness. Photo credit: Dear World “Mom,...