Every year on her birthday, I realize she’s not the only one growing up. She’s seven now, which means I’ve been learning how to be her mom for seven years too. And in every lesson she’s taught me, patience, softness, slowing down, I’m raising her, but I’m also raising me.

I’m a working mom…not because I love my kids any less, but because I want a life that includes them and includes me. You can work and still be a good parent. You can crave quiet and still crave connection. Both can be true.

Some days, being the adult just means not throwing the shoe.
Parenthood is humbling, hilarious, and occasionally full of moments where you’re teaching emotional regulation while losing yours. This one’s for the moms who take a deep breath, mutter under it, and keep showing up anyway, coffee in hand, grace in progress.