I am a speech-language pathologist. Part of my work is to teach teens strategies to become better social communicators, forge connections with others, and navigate socially problematic situations effectively. In other words, I teach them how to be a friend. As a working mother in her forties my friendships with others have been extremely difficult… Read More Dear Friend
I live in southern New England and while our winter this year has been relatively quiet (mild and minimal snow) it has still been marked with the typical cold and dreary weather that defines winter. I am not a fan of winter and as I have gotten older the season has been harder and harder… Read More Winter Expects Nothing
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
“When you feel a certain way, you have to really take the time to take a look at yourself. I was in a funk and gaslighting myself based on my love and loyalty for my employer and my coworkers. I am a person of comfort and though I can easily adapt, I will avoid change if I can. But, I started to recognize that I had no choice. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the funk. I realized that I had reached a plateau and it was time to find a new mountain to climb.”… Read More Taking A Chance On Myself
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
In a month my oldest son will be heading to Boston to begin his freshman year of college. It’s time to let my baby go and it’s not easy. He’s ready. Me? Not so much. I’m feeling overwhelmed and I’ve been coping by helping him prepare and pack. In the process, I’ve come to realize… Read More Packing for College: 2019 v. 1990
Be a cookie baking, book reading, lullaby singing, attachment mommy AND down a beer while letting the curse words fly. Hold my children to high standards AND be tender. Excel in a demanding career that requires many hours in the office AND maintain close relationships with my children. Deeply love being a mom AND acknowledge that… Read More Things I Can Do At The Same Time
The road to dog rescue is paved with the 3 Bs: Bugs, Barf, and Bites, and I’ve had my share of them all. Date night with Karen is less likely to involve a romantic dinner and more likely to involve detonating flea bombs in my car to eliminate party favors left by a recent transport. … Read More The people who you meet in dog rescue
I follow a writer who recently lost her husband after a vicious but tragically short fight with cancer. I will not share her name or all of the details of her story as it isn’t my story to tell but if you follow amazing writers and bloggers she may be on your list and you… Read More Can I Do This Alone?
My children’s first day back to school went off without a hitch this year. Days two and three? Not so much. The following words might help explain…”emergency heat-index early dismissals.” Despite having air conditioning in his school, my second grader got sent home at noon on these days while my twelfth grader remained in school… Read More Back to School Light Blues
CT Working Moms 