Nov
21
Mind-Blowing Sensory Gifts at Target
You all know I LUUURRRRVVVV Target. I mean, nothing spells ‘getaway’ like a hot Starbucks and a red cart handle in my cold mama hands that have felt nothing but Read more
Category: Extreme Parenting
Nov
16
Friday Faves: Must-Haves for Kids with Sensory Needs
This year’s updated version of the gift guide for kids with sensory input concerns has arrived! Ladies and gentlemen, we have tried them, used them, and loved them. Enjoy! Sensory Read more
Nov
16
Friday Faves: Must-Have Children’s Book Gifts
Maybe it is because I taught English or because I write for a living, but I love books. Books give children the ability to imagine different places, characters, and endless Read more
Nov
16
Friday Faves: Gift Must-Haves for Those with ADHD
Your new and improved gift guide for those with ADHD. Keep them busy, keep them moving, friends. We’ve bought them, used them, tried them, and loved them. Each are an Read more
Nov
16
Friday Faves: Must-Haves for Kids Ages 5-10
Here it is, friends! Save yourself the wait in the Black Friday lines. All of these can be purchased with one click and all are available at the lowest current Read more
Nov
09
In The Darkness
Something happens in the darkness and quiet of night. As mamas, we’ve already made cereal and spread PB, we’ve wiped noses and behinds, we’ve given time-outs and time-ins. We’ve warmed Read more
Nov
09
Medication Changed Everything for this Mental Health Mama
This changed everything. Friends, we are finally seeing brave women step out and embrace mental health, admitting they’ve been a champion who asked for the help she needed. But this Read more
Nov
01
The Reality of Middle Class Motherhood
In no way am I trying to make wealthy people feel guilt. Whether you were born into it or you’ve scraped your way from the bottom earning every decimal point Read more
Oct
03
How Downsizing and Living Simple Has Transformed My Child
One year ago, we sold the farm (literally) and drastically downsized our lives into a 36-foot RV. We shed furniture, toys, clothes — and stress. In the process, we also Read more
Sep
17
Don’t Just Wear The Suit, Rock The Suit
I’m a plus-sized mom and I wore the suit. No I didn’t just wear that bad boy, I rocked that spandex leotard-like one piece like it was my J-O-B! Here’s Read more
Sep
15
Today I Yelled
Today I yelled. We finished up the day’s #Roadschool lessons and I let the kids go outside where I could see them to play. (Cool it, Karen, we live on Read more
Sep
15
I Got The Call Late Last Night
I got the call late last night. “She slit her wrists and is being admitted for 72 hours of observation,” a family member sobbed on the other end of the Read more
Sep
13
I Choose Sleep Over Sex and Here’s Why
As the fingers of one hand press the squares to key the words on the screen, the other hand is wiping a gooey substance that might be nugget sauce or Read more
Aug
17
To the Friends Who Choose to Love My Wild Children…Especially When My Family Doesn’t
Last week someone I love dearly told me, through the enigma that is social media, that they did not agree with choices I was making as I mother my son Read more
Aug
12
Here’s What Happened When An Overstimulated Sensory Kiddo Met A Friendly Vietnam Veteran
Today I cried at breakfast. Twice. We had been on our cross country trip for nearly two weeks. We’d crossed seven states, driven over 2200 miles, and spent more than Read more
Aug
06
8 Ways Simplified Living Improves Behavior for Extreme Children
While my husband and I have lived tiny with our two kids and our dog for a year now, the tiny life isn’t for everyone. Our decision to drastically downsize, Read more
Aug
01
The Summer of “Yes”: How Changing My Vocabulary Changed My Entire Perspective
Our son received his first diagnoses three summers ago. Since then, four more have been added to his laundry list of what teachers and therapists would deem ‘special needs’. Our Read more
Jul
28
An Honest Letter to My Elementary School Son
Dear Son As You Brave Elementary School, School is so exciting to you right now, little one. You are unsure about what is to come but the unknown allows you Read more
Jul
18
Public School vs Roadschool For The Child With Behavior Diagnosis
Many parents toil and strain over the decision to pull their children from the public school system or to never start them in the first place. For our family, this Read more
Jul
08
When Discipline Goes Wrong (Or Unexpectedly Right)
*Guest Post by Calleen Petersen of An Ordinary Mom My 5-year-old daughter’s room was a mess, like, can’t even get through the door mess. It didn’t matter how many times Read more
Jul
06
Dear Anxiety, You’re Robbing My Kids of Their Mama
I remember spending countless family dinners gathered around my grandma’s kitchen table with cousins, aunts and uncles, and my grandma…but sometimes my mom was absent. I never understood why anyone Read more
Jul
03
Summer Survival Guide for Parents of Extreme Children: Five Strategies to Enjoy Your Summer Break Together
I often write about the real life musings of raising a child with extreme behavior disorders. For other special needs parents like myself, the idea of spending two hot months Read more
Jun
25
4 Tips to Surviving July 4th With Your Sensory Sensitive Kiddo
Regardless of whether or not your child carries an official diagnosis, many kids and young adults’ daily lives are affected by sensory needs that are either being under-met or overwhelmed. Read more
Jun
22
Surviving Simplified Living With Kids: 5 Must-Know Tips
The tiny living movement is growing wildly in popularity, however, it is important to really evaluate things before you decide to downsize-especially if you have kids in tow. We have Read more