In this children's book review, I share Finnikan's Big Move. Finnikan’s Big Move is a gentle, reassuring story that normalizes the wide range of emotions children experience during big transitions. Fear, sadness, excitement, uncertainty, and hope all show up in realistic and age-appropriate ways. Rather than rushing Finnikan through these feelings, the story allows space for them, which is exactly what many children need when facing change.

Balancing multiple children means someone has to wait sometimes. It means a child might stay upset longer than we want while we attend to another need. That doesn’t mean we failed. It means we’re human. Emotional regulation isn’t about preventing every meltdown. It’s about repair. It’s about coming back together once we can.

I Don’t Wanna Be a Dino follows Dougie as he tries to be anything other than himself, only to learn that who he is truly matters. With bright, engaging illustrations and a heartfelt message, this story gently introduces self-acceptance, strengths, and confidence for kids ages 3–7. A wonderful read-aloud that opens the door to meaningful social-emotional conversations.

Set in the sweet community of Harmony Lane, Ready… Set… Frog! and Let’s Work Smarter explore balance, teamwork, and problem-solving in kid-friendly ways. These warm, beautifully illustrated stories help young children learn about helping others, working together, and finding what works best, at home, in classrooms, and beyond.

There’s something magical about October, the crisp air, the smell of cinnamon candles, the promise of cozy sweaters and pumpkin everything. But if you’re a parent, you also know this truth: October is the month when every single weekend seems booked solid with something. Fall festivals. Pumpkin patches. Costume parades. School spirit weeks. Trunk-or-treats. Neighborhood hayrides. Apple picking. Pumpkin carving. Bonfires. Fundraisers. Oh, and don’t forget the family phot

Re-Introducing Me + Guided by Giggles  It’s been a while since I’ve really shared the “why” behind Guided by Giggles, so I thought it was time for a re-introduction for those of you who’ve been around and an introduction for those of you who are new. 

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.

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

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.