Raising children is hard work. From the time they are born they seem to demand all our time and attention. Having children often seems like a thankless task – a one way outpouring of energy. Looking after preschoolers is also a real challenge, especially when you are working and running a household. It is very difficult to find time for all the things that you need to do on a daily basis, much less for spending time on yourself – getting refreshed and doing things that you love. I spent the first portion of my time as a mom secretly fighting against this reality in myself. Feeling hard done by…

This week a frightful realization came over me. Any parent with small kids will tell you that the hour or two before bed is a taxing one. There is a lot to do and sometimes it feels like a long list of tasks to drive your kids through before they finally land in bed. Each of those tasks involve much coaxing, correction, instruction, discipline and requires mounds of patience. Trying to maintain personal happiness in the process is a challenge to say the least.  I only have two small kids (5 and 2 years) and yet the struggle is real. After a day of work it’s easy for the main…

Looking in the mirror is an experience that is different for every person. Some like it. A lot. And others avoid it like the plague. Some look selectively and focus on only the good, while others become consumed with their minor flaws. Either way, looking in the mirror has an important purpose: It shows us what is really there. What other people see. It is important to appreciate the good we see in ourselves, but also to be honest and willing to do something about things we want to and are able to change. In my short time as a parent I have come to the realization of a couple…