To make things a bit more complicated, I travel for my job.  This often includes multiple flights, airports, car rentals, and late nights.  I realized very quickly that pumping is not a traveler’s sport, and here are some of the valuable lessons I have learned.

You are my best friend! I will gladly share with you all of my problems and worries. They seem to melt away when I hold you close. We have so many wonderful memories that we share! You were with me after my children were born.

Meet Karen DeBaker, a local mom whose mission is to spread good.  Take a moment to read how she is changing the world with one random act of kindness at a time and learn how you can become part of the movement!

Packing a school lunch for the first time. Should be easy, right? Thoughts rush into my head of other people actually seeing what I feed my child at home — some days are great, I am supermom — I actually made dinner that night (rare occasion). Most days are an agglomeration of what I know she likes and will eat, and me attempting to sneak in some veggies (nearly impossible).

These life lessons are ones I continue to value more and more with the passing of time.  As much as I wish they were here to teach these lessons to my kids, I need to remember they live on through me.

Many people mistakenly assume that a sexual predator looks a certain way, lives in a certain part of town, preys on the children of people we read about in the news, not the ones that we tuck into bed every night.

They have to feel some sense of ownership and power in what is happening, but I am still the parent in charge.  So giving them choices throughout their day is our solution.  It seems simple enough, and I know many others do this as well, but we really make a conscious effort to use them all the time.  

When I toured her daycare facility, I grilled the director, I brainstormed with her teachers, and vigorously highlighted the menu showing them exactly what she can eat. I know they are prepared for her.

Confession. On more than one occasion, I’ve been unsure if I’ve secured my daughter in her car seat properly. I’ve tightened and pulled and shrugged, all the while praying nothing bad happens as I drive from point A to point B.

She has mannequins decorating her front yard, rides a Gator ATV, can use a shotgun just as well as a sewing machine, and would rather go dancing than sit in a rocking chair.