As a counselor and a mom, I often remind parents that not every hard moment has to be teachable. Some moments are just survivable. They remind us that persistence, however messy or tired or nonsensical, still counts as progress. And honestly? That’s the kind of resilience that parenting (and life) is really made of.

Just got the sweetest book in the mail, Badi Blesbok Says Hello! My toddler immediately claimed it as his own (because obviously all packages belong to him) and loved shouting out the animal names and new greetings. As a mom, I love how engaging and colorful it is. As a counselor, I really appreciate how it teaches kids that there are many ways to greet others, such as waves, hugs, fist bumps, and handshakes, and it’s okay to choose the greeting that feels right for you.

Last week, my toddler pulled off the ultimate fridge raid. Read about the hilarious insanity.

Our trip to the Dinosaur Museum in Rapid City was more of a toddler-led sprint through prehistoric chaos than a calm tour. From mirror maze mishaps to a sand-filled fossil dig, it was equal parts hilarious and exhausting, but also full of hidden chances to practice patience, problem-solving, and impulse control. Turns out, dinosaurs make pretty great teachers for little life skills.

Our kids are constantly shaping their self-esteem and identity, often by watching how we talk to ourselves. The words we say (and don’t say) become their inner voice. Add in the comparison trap of social media and the dopamine rollercoaster it creates, and today’s kids face unique challenges. The good news? We can help them build confidence, resilience, and a kinder self-story, starting with us.

Life with a toddler is unpredictable, but add sensory needs, both seeking and avoidance, and suddenly your house feels like a mix between a wrestling ring, a therapy clinic, and a zoo with an exceptionally patient dog.

If you’re anywhere near Rapid City, SD, Reptile Gardens is one of those stops you have to make. It’s got everything: giant tortoises, sassy prairie dogs, birds, and enough snakes to star in an Indiana Jones movie. I’ve been twice now, and let me tell you, this place is not one of those “been there once, you’ve seen it all” attractions. Nope. I loved it as much the second time, and the kids? They thought they’d found paradise…reptile-style.

Whether your kid is a cautious eater like my step-son or a culinary daredevil like my toddler, the goal is the same: to raise kids who can have a healthy, flexible, and positive relationship with food. That means less pressure, more patience, and a whole lot of humor. Because if parenthood has taught me anything, it’s that food is rarely just food when kids are involved. It’s comedy, it’s chaos. So, pull up a chair, grab a napkin, and enjoy the show.

Sometimes motherhood feels like a balancing act I’ll never master, holding one baby while my other cries, juggling a toddler, and carrying the weight of all the medical “what ifs.” Today I shared my story of parenting twins, managing postpartum anxiety and depression, and learning to show up for my little humans even when I feel stretched thin. The giggles, the cuddles, the small victories, they remind me why I keep going. You are not alone. The “what ifs” are real, the guil

Teaching kids deep breaths can go two ways: peaceful calm…or a spit-covered coffee table. Guess which one we got? This month’s Imagination Library book delivery brought us Dandelion Magic by Darren Farrell, a whimsical, laugh-out-loud story that turned our “calming breath practice” into speed puffs, giggles, and yes…a little spit on the coffee table. But behind the silliness is something powerful: a playful way to help kids manage big feelings, slow down, and discover calm

Being the default parent means carrying the invisible to-do list, planning, remembering, and noticing everything that needs to be done, often without acknowledgment. It’s repacking the dishwasher, replacing the toilet paper roll, and managing the household’s mental load. This isn’t about “help,” it’s about true partnership and sharing the responsibility. This post features personal stories and practical tips for communicating with your partner to help balance the mental load.

Pool day=fun, cousins, Goldfish, and a tractor toy meltdown. Play builds skills, but leaving is the hardest splash of all.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to step straight into the pages of your favorite childhood stories…but with the added bonus of sipping your favorite source of caffeine while your kids run wild, let me introduce you to Storybook Island in Rapid City, SD. I also share some tools for helping your kids regulate their emotions on your trip and wagon accessories that are helpful for our family and might be helpful for yours.

Parenting twins is wild enough; add in medical unknowns, therapy appointments, and a history of infertility and loss, and the picture gets even more complicated. But as my mom always reminds me, God paints on a bigger canvas than what we see. This post is personal. It’s about grief and gratitude. It’s about the babies we lost and the ones we get to hold. It’s about trusting that even when we can’t see the full picture, it’s still being beautifully painted.

As both a mom and a counselor, I’ve seen the back-to-school season from all angles. I have worked with dozens of kids and families as the school year approaches, worked within schools at the start of the school year, and have walked my own bonus son through the weeks leading up to a new school year. So, let me walk you through some practical (and slightly sarcastic) ways to handle the back-to-school jitters, for your kids and yourself.

CHOO CHOO—ALL ABOARD THE TODDLER EXPRESS! We thought we were going to a cute little children’s museum for a quick energy-burn session. We ended up discovering a full-blown toddler paradise…and accidentally launching our 2-year-old’s career in railway management. As a mom and counselor, I went into Wise Wonders Children’s Museum in Billings, MT prepared for everything, but I was not prepared for how amazing this place is.

Let’s speak reality: you love your kids. Like, deep, primal, "would step in front of a moving car for them" kind of love. And yet. If one more child slides a sticky hand under the bathroom door while you're trying to pee in peace, you might burst into a slow-motion scream and run off into the woods, or maybe the circus, because you've gotten good at juggling everything! You're not broken. You’re not cold. You're not “bad at this.” You're human.

There’s nothing quite like the rush of panic that hits when your child starts to unravel in the middle of a grocery store, playground, or family gathering. Maybe it's loud. Maybe it's messy. Maybe all eyes seem to turn to you. Public meltdowns are a universal parenting challenge, and if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or embarrassed during one, you’re not alone.

As parents, we want the best for our kids, not just academically, but emotionally too. We want them to be kind, confident, and resilient. We want them to understand and manage their feelings and to form healthy, positive relationships with others. But how do we go about teaching them these important skills? Enter Social Emotional Learning, or SEL.

Hi, I’m Jolene! I’m a licensed counselor, a proud mom, a bonus mom, and someone who is wholeheartedly embracing the beautiful chaos that comes with raising a family. I'm also a wife to a man who is not only my best friend but also spends most moments testing my sanity. With a career centered around helping kids and families, I've had the privilege of guiding many through their challenges, but nothing has been more life-changing or rewarding than being a mom myself.