Moms across the country and around the world can agree: Mornings are rough. And until technology allows us to teleport our kids to class, those of us who drive are going to have to deal with the headaches of the school drop-off lane.

And there are MANY fears and worries that we have as parents! You are not alone! Here are some of the top worries that many parents have and ways to try to overcome them.

About a month ago, I walked into my four-year-old son’s room and said, “Rise n’ shine!” I didn’t think about it at all; he asked what I meant, and I told him I wanted him to get up and be his best self.

Octavia would meet someone new and want to draw them a picture or “make them a card.” When kindergarten started, the bus driver was the first recipient to whom my bubbly 5-year-old presented her with a piece of paper with crunchy, brown leaves taped to it.

Fact: College is not cheap. The thought of our kids having considerable debt in their early adult years is not pleasant. So, why not start preparing now?

We expect our children to have good manners, and we also try to emphasize gratitude. It can be absolutely exhausting. But I believe it takes a village, so I asked for advice from the masses on Facebook.

The time to take care of our health and prevent diseases, like Alzheimer’s, is NOW.  What, you’re too young for dementia?  Most likely, yes, you are too young to have dementia right now (no, mommy brain doesn’t count).

I’m telling you, if something has the power to make you appreciate everything around you, make you have more empathy and compassion and generosity towards others, and also grow your faith and positive attitude – everyone should have it.  That’s why I agree with the patient that everyone should have cancer for a day.

So even though my 5-year-old can’t read on his own yet, he is ready for lengthier picture books and beginning chapter books.  I’ll start with some picture book suggestions and then break up chapter books into a couple of categories.

Lately, I’ve started thinking that there is no such thing as work/life balance.  Whoever made up this term was (like the rest of us) striving for it and believed that it was an attainable goal.