For a few humbling months, I became just Jen. Not the explorer or the artist… I started to doubt if I was worth anything at all if I wasn’t making or accomplishing something. It was a dark ass time.… Read More Left-Handed Ravens and Other Happy Accidents
There was anguish in her cries. And frustration. And sheer exhaustion. And yet the next day, there she was again, with breakfast on the table, school lunches packed, and our clothes laid out for school.… Read More A Single Dad’s Message To The Single Mom Who Raised Him – And to You
You guys! It’s been way too long! I have to tell you, for a while now I’ve been thinking my blogging days might be over. I had a good run, but maybe it’s time to throw in the towel. But then a few things happened that made me reconsider. I should start off… Read More Since I’ve Been Gone
My nearly 5 years of being a mom has definitely been filled with its ups and downs. While I am thankful that I’ve experienced more ups, the downs tend to linger longer. Generally, the downs are all the normal stresses of parenthood – sleepless nights, potty accidents, and attitudes that give just a mere glimpse… Read More Not Everyone is Going to Like You
Have you ever seen the movie Garden State with Zach Braff and Natalie Portman? I absolutely love that movie but I’ve found it makes me incredibly sad so often I’ll see it on as I’m flipping through my channels and I’ll actually force myself to keep moving. One scene I always shed a few tears… Read More Reasons To Scream Into An Abyss
I was recently at a party and was talking with a new mom friend, Julia. I told her about my job as an attorney, my summer hiking plans, my DIY bathroom remodel, and my favorite bread recipe. My close friend, Athena, who was also at the table, piped up, “And she’s a published poet too.”… Read More She Did Her Own Stunts
Several months ago, our eleven-year-old suddenly morphed from a little kid into a tweenager. This (literal and figurative) development thrilled Lili and terrified us. Shortly thereafter, we discovered that my clothes and shoes fit her, another milestone which delighted her but struck fear into my heart. Lil now calls everyone “bruh” and does a… Read More The view from above
When I was growing up (for the record, I cannot believe I’m old enough to begin a sentence with those words!!), we didn’t have cell phones. Not, like, kids didn’t have them. Nobody had them, as they had not yet been invented. The best chance of tracking down doctors, or spouses kept on short leashes,… Read More Tuning out
I’m really sad lately. I went through a break up just before Thanksgiving. It was my first serious relationship after my divorce and I really thought he was my proverbial “second chance.” As weeks and then months passed, I realized that he was not the right fit. Even though I know it was the right… Read More How do you “mom” when you’re sad?
Dear Timo, Every year on your birthday, I look at photos of you, and I marvel… and cry. Somehow, in the blink of an eye, you have gone from a 5 pound newborn to a 5 year-old boy. Beautiful at birth, delicate and serene, we fawned over your exquisite bone structure… which was quickly obscured… Read More A letter to my son on his 5th birthday
CT Working Moms 