The last few weeks have been difficult for my family. The images of police brutality and the bitter reality that racial injustices are still very much present within our society make me outraged. I can’t help but fear for my children’s future. 

We all know about the three “Trimesters” of pregnancy. But have you heard of the “fourth trimester?” It is a term coined by Dr. Harvey Karp for the first three months of your baby’s life.

If you took a survey of all the people who have met me, I would like to think the majority of them would say that I am a “COOL” person. And if you ask me…Well, I think I am a VERY cool person!

As homeschooling mama of three, my kids and I are used to being together and home. Obviously, we like to get out too, but being together is usually our norm. Here are some of the ways we incorporate learning at home, fun, and time together in fairly simple ways.

The extent of my food allergy knowledge used to be that my brother couldn’t have strawberries as we were growing up. I’d never really run into any other food allergy situations that would affect my immediate life.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned since moving to Northeast Wisconsin, it’s that the regional flavor goes far beyond the Packers, beer, and cheese. In fact, there’s a whole host of regionalisms that I’m still learning about after coming up on 3 years.

Never did I predict that on my son’s first birthday, he would give the party guests a sneak peek into his noticeably higher levels of sensitivity.

I am a Mom Guilt procrastinator of the highest order. I always have the best intentions to get things done and keep up with my To-Do list, but it never happens.

I’ve considered the impression it would make on her as a young girl as all of this was happening. I recognized that if she could come along and witness the hard work, the conversations, and even see the things mom and her friends had built, she would be encouraged to follow her dreams and do what she loves as well.

Fred “Mister” Rogers was more than an American television personality. He was more than a father and husband. He was and still is an inspiration to many, even to this day, over 16 years after his death.  There are many lessons from Mister Rogers that we can use while raising our children.  Here are a few of my favorites.