I’m sharing the honest truth, the messy moments, and the survival tips I wish someone had told me after the birth of my second child when I felt like I was failing everyone.

Lately, my six-year-old has been melting down after school—and it’s been breaking my heart a little. I used to think we’d outgrown this phase, but I’m learning that big emotions don’t follow a schedule. After a full day of holding it together at school, he lets it all out with me—his safe place.

I’ve discovered this isn’t failure; it’s trust. And it’s teaching me to shift my after-school approach: lead with snacks, laughter, patience, and space.

In this post, I share what I’ve learned about boys, emotional regulation, and why the end of the day needs to feel like a soft landing. If you’ve ever wondered why your child melts down the minute they see you—this one’s for you.

Ever felt overwhelmed by your son’s explosive emotions—and your own reactions to them? This reflection shares a messy period we went through and what helped me and my boys (8&6) get through. It explores why boys often express sadness and fear as anger, how biology and stressors play a role, and what has actually worked in our home to shift the dynamic. From co-regulation to roughhousing, boundary-setting to emotional validation, here's what is helping.

A raw and honest reflection from the newborn trenches. If you're in it right now, this is for you. If you have a friend who is in it right now, and you’re not sure how they are doing, be sure to share.

When my second son was born, I thought I was prepared—but nothing could have braced me for how hard it would be on my older son, Cruz. He went from offering his baby brother a chocolate-covered strawberry to melting down daily, and I felt like I was losing him. One night, in the dark, I had a conversation with my son that changed everything for us.

This post is about how I’ve learned to meet my boys in their language of affection—through movement, play, and physical connection that actually works for them.

Featuring insights from Dr. Michael Reichert and Dr. Allan Schore, and ideas from Playful Parenting, this one’s for every parent—especially boy moms—who wonders how to bridge that growing gap as their kids pull away from snuggles but still deeply crave connection.

When my son was a wild two-year-old bouncing off the walls during nursing sessions, I was desperate for solutions. After some trial and error, I discovered simple, realistic toddler activities that kept him busy—and saved my sanity. If you’re juggling nursing and a busy toddler, this list of easy, fun ideas might just be the lifeline you need.

Motherhood can be unbearably isolating—especially in the quiet, sleepless hours when doubt and exhaustion flood your mind. I’ve struggled to be honest about those raw, painful moments, afraid to burden others or seem ungrateful for my beautiful children. But I’ve learned that vulnerability is a lifeline. Writing out my feelings, sharing my truth—even with strangers—has brought me relief and connection. If you’re up alone tonight, overwhelmed and tired, know you’re not alone.