An abundance of school choice is truly one of the privileges of living in Jacksonville and the State of Florida. But let’s be honest, parents: The magnitude of the decision about where to send your children to school can...
Santa bribing me with a trip to the North Pole could not have persuaded me to miss decorating the annual family Christmas tree with my mother.
Holiday music on? Check! Dancing characters strategically placed around our house? Check! Countless lights...
One of the first things out of the mouths of most well-meaning people (usually old ladies in the Publix checkout line) when they discover my daughter is adopted is, “Oh, what a gift!” Cue automatic cringe. Ask any member...
I absolutely loved the staff at my daughter's elementary school. As her fifth-grade year was coming to an end, faculty rallied around offering tons is advice before middle school. One of the things that were said that stuck with...
"Dear Lord," I prayed nightly for years. "Please keep us safe, healthy, and together."
Safe and healthy made perfect sense. Any new mom, particularly those like me who suffered from a large degree of postpartum depression and anxiety, would be...
In this crazy world of constant comparing and “Keeping Up with the Joneses,” it’s nice to take a step back and remember what we have to be grateful for. It can be hard as adults to make this a...
Typically, playdates are reserved for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, although they can still benefit school-aged kids.
In the early days of motherhood, playdates were about survival — having an activity planned for around 9 or 10 a.m. was perfect for...
Did you get the crumpled-up flyer in your kid’s backpack? Oh, I did! Yep, it’s that time of year again. That moment you either dread or love — that’s it, RED RIBBON WEEK. Otherwise known in my household as,...
I am so very fortunate to have two incredible children. Twins, in fact! One boy and one girl. The ideal scenario, people constantly tell me. They truly are my pride and joy, and I couldn’t love them more.
With their...
My son is turning 3 soon, and as we age out of Early Steps and start the process for Child Find, it feels like one chapter is closing and another starting. If you’re wondering about early intervention services for...
I have two magnets on my car — one is my older son’s soccer academy and the other is his middle school. I count hundreds of magnets just like these every day on other cars we pass by. Then...
Most folks are familiar with Teacher Appreciation Week which falls in May of every year, but very few may know about World Teachers' Day — celebrated every year on October 5 to honor educators around the world who work...