A Can Do Mom

As a mom who’s been through the whirlwind of Christmas with young kids, I want to take a few minutes to share a little piece of advice with all the younger moms out there… Enjoy this time while your kids are still young. I know the holidays can feel like a blur of stress, shopping, and trying to make everything perfect. But I promise you—this season will go by much quicker than you think. And one day, you’ll look back and wish you had slowed down and savored more of the little moments. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be. The pressure to get the right gifts, the chaos of decorating, and the endless to-do lists can make it seem like there’s no time to just relax and enjoy your family. But the truth is, those to-do lists won’t matter in the long run. What your children will remember most isn’t the perfectly decorated house or the perfectly cooked meal—it’s the love and time you shared with them. One thing I learned over the years was to include my children in as many of the ...

Holidays can be so hard sometimes. And honestly, a lot of the time, it’s the people we love most that make them the hardest. I know that sounds kind of harsh, but it’s true. I’ve always loved the holidays. When I became a mom, I couldn’t wait to celebrate with my kids. I had all these ideas in my head of little traditions we’d start and build on as our own little family. But things didn’t exactly go the way I pictured. The first three years of our marriage were… a lot. Both our parents lived close enough that we could see them for every holiday, so we tried to split things up—Thanksgiving with one side, Christmas with the other, and then swap the next year. We thought that was fair. Our parents? Not so much. My mother-in-law felt like all the holidays should be at her house. Thanksgiving dinner at noon, and we were “supposed” to spend the night on Christmas Eve. That didn’t leave much for my family. And honestly, we were already trying to be there for Christmas anyway, because it ...

Many people seem to think that the newborn phase is the toughest stage in a child’s early development, and that after sleep training is complete, it’s smooth(ish) sailing from there. But actually, around the six-month mark, things can become difficult again! And if you haven’t yet sleep trained your baby, it could make starting that process even harder. So the question many parents ask is: Is this the 6-month sleep regression or teething? This question is fair, because both the 6-month sleep regression and teething tend to happen around the same time. It can be hard to determine which one is causing the disruption and the two combined can make for a really tough phase in both your baby’s life and your own. Here’s how to tell the difference between a sleep regression and teething, as well as what to do about both. What Is the 6-Month Sleep Regression? A sleep regression is a period when a baby’s sleep patterns suddenly change. Your baby may become restless during the night or sta...

  If there’s one thing that almost every mother has heard once during her journey, it’s “just let them cry it out.” And personally, I always hated hearing this sentence! I didn’t want to let my baby cry it out, and if you clicked on this post, I doubt you do either. So today we’re going to talk about gentle sleep training , which is a much-needed alternative. Note: This post is not meant to shame other mothers who may choose to sleep train their babies with the “cry it out” method. It is simply meant to provide other options for moms who, like me, don’t want to take that path for themselves. What is sleep training? The term sleep training refers to a process where you teach a baby or toddler to fall (and stay) asleep on their own. And there are many different sleep training methods out there. But one of the most well-known techniques is to just let your child cry until they eventually learn to self-soothe or fall asleep from exhaustion. The idea here is that you’re giving t...

Implementing the proper safety rules for kids at home can save your kiddos from a variety of dangerous situations. That’s why I wanted to dedicate an entire post to this topic and cover ten rules that I think are especially important. Starting with… 1. Never Open the Door for Strangers “Stranger danger” applies even when you're at home. Be sure to teach your children never to open the door for someone they don't know. Give them a clear plan to follow in this situation such as staying quiet, keeping away from the doors and windows, and going to get (or call) a parent immediately. 2. Don’t Play or Climb on Furniture It’s obvious to adults why climbing bookshelves or tall furniture is dangerous, but kids don’t instinctively understand this. Make it clear that climbing is not allowed. Also, anchor heavy furniture to the wall if possible and avoid storing items your child needs in high places they’ll be tempted to climb for them. Jumping on furniture like couches and beds may...

  As a mom to a child with intense anxiety, I was always on the lookout for helpful activities when my daughter was younger. Over the years, I’ve found quite a few strategies that truly made a difference. And recently, I’ve even come across some new ideas ones I can’t use with her anymore (she’s now an adult), but that I still believe could be very helpful for other families. So I thought I’d share them all here today, in case you’re also searching for ways to reduce stress and support your anxious child. 1. Coloring & Drawing Kids (and adults!) often find coloring or drawing incredibly soothing. It helps calm the mind by keeping both hands and thoughts occupied, promotes mindfulness, and offers a healthy outlet for creativity. The best part? It’s budget-friendly, portable, and easy to pair with other activities like during car rides, while waiting for dinner, or when winding down with some family TV time. Plus, it might even spark a lasting love for art! 2. Creating a Worry Bo...

  When my kids were younger, if I had let them handle closet organization on their own, it probably would’ve looked like a pile of laundry on the floor. But because I’ve always had a system in place, they learned early and thankfully, they’ve carried those habits into adulthood. So today I’m sharing the tips that worked for us — not just for keeping closets neat, but for teaching kids how to manage their own space. 1. Use Baskets, Bins, and Boxes Shelves are helpful, but containers are what make a kid-friendly closet truly work. Why they help: They separate clothing types (socks, pajamas, swimsuits, etc.) They’re easier for little hands to use than folding or hanging You can decorate or color-code them for fun and function Labels are simple to stick on — more on that next! 2. Label Everything The best way to set your kids up for success is to make it obvious where things go. Use labels for: Seasons: “Summer Clothes,” “Winter Gear” Clothing type: “Shirts...

Normally, I try to keep this blog focused on helpful tips and tricks — little ways to make life as a mother just a bit easier. Whether it is routines, parenting hacks, or encouraging words, I do my best to keep things positive, practical, and uplifting. But the truth is, life is not always easy. And I have come to realize that pretending otherwise does not help anyone, including myself. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for each other is to say, “Me too,” and walk through the hard things together. So I have decided to start a new section of the blog called "Letters from the Heart." It is going to be a space where I open up a little more, a place for me to share my honest thoughts, my struggles, and what is really going on beneath the surface. Not just as a mom, but as a woman, a wife, a daughter, and someone navigating middle age with all the joys and heartbreaks that come with it. This is not easy for me. I am a private person by nature, and putting myself out ...

  A good school night routine is essential for kids. Without enough rest, children can struggle with learning, socializing, and behavior the next day. But let’s be honest — getting kids to bed on time is not always easy. That’s why in this post, I’m walking you through how to build and maintain a simple and effective nighttime routine for your child. One that sets them up for a great day at school. How Much Sleep Do Elementary School Kids Need? Before we talk routines, let’s first answer the big question: How much sleep should elementary-aged kids get? According to the CDC, children between the ages of 6 and 12 need about 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night. The younger they are, the closer they should be to the 12-hour mark. So if your child needs to wake up at 6:00 AM to get ready for school, they should ideally be asleep by 8:00 or 9:00 PM the night before. What Should a School Night Routine Include? Let’s break down the basics. A healthy evening routine should help your...

As the first generation of kids with unrestricted access to screens grows up, we’re beginning to see some very serious concerns arise. So it’s no surprise that more and more parents are looking for realistic ways to reduce screen time especially during the early years of development. Since I raised my daughters with regulated screen time, I thought I’d share what worked for us. I’ll also touch on some of the science behind why cutting back on screens is worth the effort. The Science Behind Reducing Screen Time for Kids Through decades of studies, real-life observation, and even self-reports from the generation that grew up with screens, researchers have identified several potential issues related to excessive screen use during childhood. Here are just a few: Disrupted Sleep Patterns The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with melatonin production, making it harder for children to fall and stay asleep. This, in turn, can affect mood, behavior, and learning. A Lack of Soc...