Parenting Wisdom

Hi! My name is Taylor Decker and I'm new to the team. I thought it appropriate to share my two passions in life -- my family (dogs included, of course), and running -- and how difficult it was to...

There is an old joke that goes: What are the three best parts about being a teacher? June, July, and August!!!  And while most teachers will tell you they have chosen this rewarding field to make a change in the...

Most of us love the attention we receive when our new baby arrives and the overwhelming support our family and friends give. Although most of the the people closest to us often mean well, sometimes that same attention we...

Hey soccer moms, we see you running from one activity to another trying to keep track of all the uniforms and gear, the crazy never-ending schedule all while trying to support your super star player! It is a ton...

National Relaxation Day is August 15   Taking a moment to relax sounds almost frivolous, doesn’t it?  Well, let me reassure you, Mama, that it most certainly is not.   Taking the time to rest and relax is beyond beneficial to a tired mama...

September means that our teenagers are back to school, but this year, school for them is anything but normal. Some of them may be learning in actual classrooms wearing masks, some of them may be doing a hybrid-type schedule,...

So as a soccer and dance mom, you might find it a bit random and unexpected for me to have this quirky Halloween tradition - but I'm going to share it with you anyway. I normally start the night in...

Holiday planning can be difficult for a divorced parent. I never imagined seeing my child’s face light up on Christmas morning, every other year. This is the fifth year I will enjoy the holidays as a single mom. Each...

I love helping people, whether it’s a friend who needs a last minute play date or volunteering with my favorite organization. I almost always say yes to help when someone needs it. BUT, being on the other end of...

Before kids, I used to travel all the time.  After kids, not so much.   So when the opportunity came up to travel to Japan for the first time in nearly five years - without kids, without husband - I...

At our recent Bloom event, Jacqueline walked us through a wonderful discussion on why reading to our children is so important! Reading books together connects parents and children through adventure and shared experiences. Setting aside a little time every...

Dear Expecting Mom, If you’re like I was, your mind is racing. Sure, you’re waking up in the night to go to the bathroom, but let’s be honest, you’re also awake because you’re thinking about how much your life is...

          A few weeks before my first trip to work with orphans in Haiti, I had an encounter that would mark my heart forever. We were celebrating my daughter’s birthday dinner at her restaurant of choice, Red Robin. When they saw...

I'm trying here, Costco. Really, I am. I want so much to hate you, and on paper, that should be easy.  I mean, after all: I thought Target was bad, but YOU. You are the $8.79 (if we're lucky) impulse-buy Green...

Summer is a time when family gets to bask in lazy moments. It’s a time for barbeques, sleepovers, Friday matinees and road trips. It’s also known for boredom crazed children, sunburns, excruciating visits from relatives and moms that are...

At a baby shower recently my girlfriends and I were reminiscing about …well everything, but one hot topic was breastfeeding. I LIVED in my nursing tanks, I didn’t have many other options that fit well or that I felt good...

In the past, I’ve written resolutions. By mid-February these goals are lost in the shuffle. For the last few years, I've opted to reject resolutions and chose to focus on adopting one word that will set the tone for...

I know I’m supposed to exercise. I know that it keeps me healthy, gives me energy, and promotes overall wellbeing. Hear me clearly; I am not saying that we shouldn’t exercise.  I am not refuting the body of scientific research...

This past weekend I found myself with a minute to myself. I honestly wasn’t quite sure what to do. It was a motherhood anomaly! Both our boys were outside. Playing. Nicely. Together! I watched in amazement from afar careful not...

March is National Reading Month! Why not treat yourself, or someone you know, to a book to help get through the trenches and celebrate the joys of parenthood. Today we’re highlighting a few of our favorites from the Best Books...

I can always think of a million reasons why not to run. I am tired. A cup of coffee and scanning Facebook sounds better. Or at night, a glass of wine and the time to unwind beats out pounding...

Do you ever feel like your day just happens to you? You wake up to put on your metaphorical boxing gloves just to be prepared for the fight? The huge to-do list, the whining children, the endless chores. Always...

Although I like to cook, one of my husband and I's favorite things to do is go out to eat. We love to try new places! As you ALL know well, with the exception of when we have a...

Did you know that a lot of kids these days suffer from a declined mental health? According to the CDC… 7.1% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 4.4 million) have diagnosed anxiety. 3.2% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately...

You’ve heard the saying, “What comes up must come down.” That pretty much summed up our situation. Everything WAS wonderful. Smooth sailing. Cloud 9. Picture perfect. Then the ball dropped. The company my husband worked for got a new CEO...

Summers are hard. We all have grand plans in the beginning, but we're now halfway through and it's time to get real. Embrace what's working so far, drop anything that's not, and take a glance at these tips to...

Ever since guest blogger, Jenny M posted about Donating Cord Blood I wanted to learn more. I had heard (and read) all about the benefits and costs associated with banking our baby's cord blood but I never knew I...

Do you ever wake up late, can’t find the kid’s shoes, and then the fact that you’ve run out of peanut butter for school lunches throws a wrench into the entire day. From then on, grouchy moods, frustrated clients,...

The following situations are based on my experiences. Please contact your doctor for any medical advice regarding your personal circumstance. The previous posts in this series have been directed to the chronically sick parent (Part One, Part Two, & Part...

Ladies!  I need your help!  I am in desperate need of tips for flying with babies and toddlers! This month, Handsome Husband and I are traveling cross-country with one very helpful teenager, one sweet but needy 5-month old and one...