motherhood

How do I tell her I don’t want them in the same bed because I don’t want to be a grandma yet? Or because I don’t necessarily think it’s appropriate …

Good Friday is literally the antithesis to Black Friday. A day of fasting and penance to reflect on the day Jesus was crucified, and my child thought it was a …

As I watched the lightning alone, I felt wrong. This wasn’t right. This isn’t the type of mom I want to be… I turned away from the window, leaving the …

The other day, as I was watching my 4-year-old play at the park, clothed in pants heavily stained at the knees and a shirt that did not match, I wondered …

Kristina shares a rare and unexpected moment of deep connection with her youngest daughter, Marina. Typically an independent and no-nonsense toddler, Marina surprises her mother with an unprompted, lingering hug. …

I have a complicated relationship with Scholastic Book Fairs. It was a nostalgic childhood event that used to highlight my family’s financial struggles. Now as a parent, I find satisfaction …

Exploring the unexpected challenges of embracing school choice after moving from Pittsburgh to Florida. I was prepared for differences in education quality and facilities, but wasn’t expecting the loss of …

My 13-year-old is addicted to green grapes. While the rest of her age bracket is vaping and having sex, my daughter Scarlett is happy OD’ing on nature’s candy. I am …

I haven’t really written too much about this up until now. But my oldest daughter Gianna has been in a serious relationship for some time. She’s been dating this boy …

My oldest had all 4 of her wisdom teeth extracted last week. It was the first time any of my kids had to go under IV sedation and I was …

Reflecting on how Marina stands out among her siblings—not because of tantrums or challenges but because of her laid-back nature. Unlike the countless posts I wrote about Evie’s struggles, Marina’s …

October’s ‘Quote Quiz’ results are in, and let’s just say…no one aced it. I mean, we had Scarlett launching her 2025 campaign on the quiz paper, Gianna assuming I was …

I try to inspire my family but most often are met with blank stares. Recently I swapped out our WiFi password for some deep wisdom and threw a “Quote Quiz” …

The other day, when I got into the car, my phone automatically hooked up and began playing one of my audio episodes of the blog I’ve been recording. I was …

A few months ago, I decided to replace our wifi password frame with something more substantial. The frame sits right on our entryway table. I’d walk pass it daily, glance …

Until 9:14pm last night, I thought I was pretty cool under pressure. At 9:15pm, I realized I was wrong. Because at 9:15pm, I thought my 13-year-old daughter had been abducted …

In the days leading up to the first day of school, Scarlett had made plans to go tanning to get the perfect back to school glow. She monitored the UV …

Vince and I had a date last night to go see Deadpool & Wolverine. It started off as a normal evening out until about 45 minutes into the movie I …

Walked into Scarlett’s room the other night to say goodnight. She has her covers wrapped over her head and is on the phone video chatting with two friends as they …

We have family movie nights pretty regularly. It can be hard to pick a movie because of the vast age range in our kids. But one thing that is always …

When we moved to Florida 8 years ago, I thought the upheaval would impact Gianna the most. She was 9 after all. She had a circle of friends and had …

My almost 10-month-old is not a snuggler. I attribute this to the fact that she is my only child who did not nurse 50,000 times a day and thus does …

Took the brood to the Tampa Fringe Fest yesterday. I never heard of it before but got an email somehow and was intrigued. It was inside and not that expensive …

I posted a video the other day of Evie in the play yard with Marina. While I had my back turned, Evie had put a necklace over Marina’s head. The …

Family came to visit this past weekend to celebrate Evie turning 4. Vince’s mom, aunt, and sister all flew down from Pittsburgh to stay with us. We didn’t really do …

Evie has been gone this week. She traveled up to Pittsburgh with Vince for 5 days and it’s utterly insane how quiet the house is, despite me still having 3 …

As a mom of 4, alone time is hard to come by. Not so much with the oldest two. Hell, Gianna and Scarlett spend their entire lives in their rooms …

We have two cars in our family despite having three drivers. We’ve been wanting to get a third car for a while now, however life is already too expensive and Florida …

I’m not a rookie. I have raised 3 babies so far. I consider myself somewhat of a pro if you can ever truly be that as a parent. But, looking …

I am wrapping up a blog post right now that talks about the status of mine and Vince‘s sex life, post-vasectomy. You know, typical things people share online to family …

I go back to work in less than a month. This thought is somewhat frightening to me. Thank all of them – Buddha, Jesus, the Great Mother, the Positive Energy …

raising the curtins 153. watch yo mouth Play Episode Pause Episode Mute/Unmute Episode Rewind 10 Seconds 1x Fast Forward 10 seconds 00:00 / 00:03:57 Subscribe Share Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts …

raising the curtins 152. don’t shoot up my baby Play Episode Pause Episode Mute/Unmute Episode Rewind 10 Seconds 1x Fast Forward 10 seconds 00:00 / 00:03:42 Subscribe Share Apple Podcasts …

After the pop, I thought, with great inner satisfaction, that she would realize that I was right. Victory for mom!!!!! What is more sweet in this world than an “I …

It’s been about 3 weeks since I had Marina and life has been all over the place. Acclimating to the new normal as a family of 6 has been…. challenging. …

raising the curtins 146. finding the g spot Play Episode Pause Episode Mute/Unmute Episode Rewind 10 Seconds 1x Fast Forward 10 seconds 00:00 / 00:01:55 Subscribe Share Apple Podcasts Google …

They both admired her wall and complimented her work. Gianna’s eyes, however, lingered for a moment on the two sets of rosaries that were draped over the push pins on the …

raising the curtins 142. a ruined moment in the kitchen Play Episode Pause Episode Mute/Unmute Episode Rewind 10 Seconds 1x Fast Forward 10 seconds 00:00 / 00:01:57 Subscribe Share Apple …

There are moments in life when someone unexpectedly shares a world-altering piece of advice or insight. Some are deeper than others. Like the mind-bending concept that you are the one …

They wanted to go sneak into our unfinished clubhouse to see how it looked. Not to do any vandalism, just curious and wanting to explore. Excited by the thrill of …

This trip, while a learning experience, was also supposed to double as a mini vacation for my family. Going alone was an option, but that felt like leaving too much …

raising the curtins 138. always been dumped Play Episode Pause Episode Mute/Unmute Episode Rewind 10 Seconds 1x Fast Forward 10 seconds 00:00 / 00:07:35 Subscribe Share Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts …

raising the curtins 137. not done brewing Play Episode Pause Episode Mute/Unmute Episode Rewind 10 Seconds 1x Fast Forward 10 seconds 00:00 / 00:04:52 Subscribe Share Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts …

I just had the longest sonogram of my life. I was on the table for about an hour as the tech slid the probe around my stomach, checking to make …

“I’m scared Mom.” When she followed up with those three words, it didn’t matter that this lockdown was out of an abundance of caution. It didn’t matter that there was …

We arrived at the doctor’s office. You know when you walk into a place, and you immediately feel like something is off? That’s how I felt. This place was bare …

raising the curtins 131. i hate pretend play Play Episode Pause Episode Mute/Unmute Episode Rewind 10 Seconds 1x Fast Forward 10 seconds 00:00 / 00:04:27 Subscribe Share Apple Podcasts Google …

raising the curtins 130. stroganoff for dinner Play Episode Pause Episode Mute/Unmute Episode Rewind 10 Seconds 1x Fast Forward 10 seconds 00:00 / 00:03:39 Subscribe Share Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts …

raising the curtins 129. don’t make the clock, work Play Episode Pause Episode Mute/Unmute Episode Rewind 10 Seconds 1x Fast Forward 10 seconds 00:00 / 00:02:36 Subscribe Share Apple Podcasts …

Sitting in the director’s office, I got choked up talking to her about my concern with Evie needing to socialize and separate from me a bit. I know this will …

Here we are again. After “trying” for the longest period of time yet, we have finally started to bake another nugget. The last nugget. The final piece to complete our …

Gianna had about 18 or so of her friends come over for a gift exchange a few days before Christmas. Last time she had her large group of friends over, …

What kind of sadistic, childless, asshole makes a bathroom door that unlocks when you turn the door handle?!?! Just the damn door handle! The lock and the handle are separate …

I don’t know if there’s a single day that has gone by, since becoming a mother 15 years ago, that I have NOT ended the day without some bodily fluid …

Having a fourth child, that’s not crazy, right? I go back and forth about this idea and wonder if I’m batshit crazy to even entertain this thought. There’s never a …

I think Evie had her first dream last night. Well, in her case, she would probably call it a nightmare if she could. From behind the gate, I hear her …

It’s no secret that my toddler is not a good sleeper. I envy those people who have children that sleep 12 hours straight all the time and who take 2 …

A minute later, I hear a plunk sound…followed immediately by an “uh oh.” No. That’s not what I think it was. But turning around and noticing her empty hands and …

I was attempting to lay Evie down to sleep the other night. I knew going into this, it would be hard. It was late and way past her bedtime. She …

This picture I posted is the issue with social media. Not because sleeping babies might cause you to have baby fever and want to pop out 15 kids. No, it’s …

Gianna overheated at her soccer game this afternoon. Playing in the Florida sun/heat is no joke right now. I don’t think they should have games between the hours of 12-5. …

I live in an area that has a plethora of playgrounds, but most are limited to the use of the residents of those communities since they pay an HOA or …

It was now 9:27am and I was standing in the kitchen, making Evie mac and cheese. Because if my two-year-old wanted a steak at this time, I probably would have …

The scene. Evie is naked, per usual. What potty-training toddler isn’t? Plus I feel like her bedroom is a mile away now in the new house. It’s easier to let …

I followed the girls around all night, watching them laugh, take photos, and stalk (so not casually) a group of young boys. We took a break after they lost the …

This morning, we left the house commando (just her). The potty came along just in case I needed a vessel for her to let loose in. Of course, the urge …

I’m lying in the queen-sized bed of our short-term rental, nursing my 2-year-old daughter Evie before she lays down to nap. I haven’t weaned her yet. These nursing sessions before …

The first words I often hear in the morning come from my two-year-old daughter Evie. When she wakes up, she immediately demands to be let out from her bed by …

Lice. This was not good. This was not good at all. This was not good because I immediately recall that my daughter, Scarlett, had been complaining for the past two …

I’m in the kitchen, getting ready to make dinner. It’s my least favorite thing. Cooking is not my passion. My teenage daughter, Gianna, is at the table, doing a school …

I recount the time I actually had time to myself during the day, away from my clingy 1-year old. Sure, my legs went numb, but those 10 minutes were glorious.

I’m sitting in the guest chair of the dimly lit optometrist room watching my oldest daughter, Gianna, prepare for her exam. Gianna, at the perfect age of 14, is sitting …

Is my toddler a musical prodigy or are my standards just that low? 🎶 Watching Evie sing along in the bath, I couldn’t help but wonder. Parenthood definitely has a …

I grew up with one Big Christmas. Just one. And it’s been haunting me ever since, shaping the way I approach Christmas with my kids. Do I overdo it? Is …

We don’t do date nights. Not because we’re too cool for them, but because, well, life. But after 20 years and 3 kids, we tried it out: dinner, axe throwing, …

Ever wish you could clone yourself to be everywhere at once? Yeah, me too. I had to make the call between staying home with two kids or catching Gianna’s first …

Why does school sometimes feel like a creativity-killer? When my daughter Scarlett came home upset because her teacher criticized her unique writing style in front of the class, I was …

Are you a parent who sometimes feels like you’re barely holding it together? Same here. In my latest post, I’m sharing my “Mother of the Year” moments—the times I definitely …

TikTok… love it or hate it? I was firmly in the “hate it” camp—until my daughter pulled a fast one on me, using a TikTok persuasion trick to get herself …

Ever wondered why women have to do all the primping to look good? Kristina sure has! In this quick and funny post, she explores the idea of flipping beauty standards …

What happens when you mix a competitive soccer tournament, a road trip, and an unpredictable toddler? A “perfect recipe for disaster”—or maybe not. This lighthearted look at managing family chaos …

Raising a child who reinvents herself every few months isn’t easy—especially when you’re the one footing the bill. From fashion overhauls to room redesigns, join me as I share the …

Ever had your 1-year-old treat you like a blow up doll? Join me as I share a hilariously uncomfortable parenting confession that’ll leave you both laughing and reassured that you’re …

In “The Message in Luca,” Kristina Curtin reflects on the 2021 Disney movie Luca, highlighting a key message that resonated with her about silencing fear and self-doubt. In the film, …

In this hilarious and relatable post, Kristina shares her frustrations with various clothing items. She touches on functional issues that drive her nuts and through humor and exaggeration, she makes …

I haven’t really posted about Evie’s sleeping patterns lately. This is because I am deathly afraid to “jinx” myself. Not that I really believe that you can jinx something. I’m …

As a parent, I’m going to be direct and say that you should never allow a video service to autoplay anything for your kids. It’s like playing roulette with your …

We try to raise good children. Honest, funny, caring, aware, financially savvy, confident…all things we want our kids to be. We teach them to tell the truth, to never bully, …

My 14 year old daughter, Gianna, is kind of awkward when meeting new people. She doesn’t flourish in situations where she has to go outside her shell and talk to …

It’s the house kids flock to. You know the one. Opening the pantry door is like walking up aisle 16 at the grocery store. Shelves loaded with Nutella snack packs, …

At what point, as a parent, do you throw in the towel and decide you need outside help? How do you decide that it’s gotten to the point that you …

Being a teenager is hard. Along with all the responsibilities and expectations, you also have a raging set of hormones. Making your skin break out, making you cry because you …

My hands are purple and I don’t know how to get the color off. It’s all because I’m a sucker for guilt and Evie was primed and ready to pee …

I walked downstairs the other night to tell the girls it was time for bed. As I made my way into the kitchen, I overheard the TV show they were …

I see all these posts about “how do I explain {insert touchy subject} to my kids”. It seems like a lot of parents out there agonize over how to tell …

If you don’t care to hear more about milk, boobs, and the agony I’ve been in for the past month or so, carry on. If you want to commiserate with …

They’re cute, better for the Earth, better for your baby, and save money. Four good reasons why I am now addicted to cloth diapers. Don’t send help. I’m good.

My girls don’t date. They are all under the age of 14 and one’s an infant so I don’t think I’m being a strict parent. Really, what’s the point of …

There are probably a million good things about having just one child. I can say this confidently because I have 3 kids. Jokes aside, all 3 of my girls are …

Being a mom to a newborn is definitely a confusing role. One part of you cherishes each and every moment. You luxuriate in the sweet baby smell, soft skin, utter …

Sleep deprivation is hands down the worst part of having a newborn. Close second might be breastfeeding. Sure, despite the 50 things I basically LOVE about breastfeeding, it does literally …

Apologies out the gate if this post is a little haphazard and seems like it was written by a sleep-deprived, walking milk truck who can’t remember anything unless it’s written …

The age gap between my kids is pretty significant and for the most part, 100% intentional. Four and a half years separates Scarlett from Gianna. Baby girl #3, who is …

I forgot how much being pregnant sucks. 32 weeks in and I’m fucking done. I want my body back. I want to be able to see all my parts without …

I’ve dealt with Santa and actually somewhat enjoyed the magic he brings to the season, however, I’ve never, EVER been a fan of the Easter Bunny. He’s creepy, slutty, and …

I’m worrying about what life will look like a few short months from now when this baby is born. Looking around and analyzing everything I do on daily basis and …

My family has a history of mental illness. I spent a good part of my life waiting to see if I would also be afflicted with something. Now that I …

I need to teach my kids about money. Not that a quarter equals 25 cents That’s covered in school. But they never learn money’s true value, it’s importance, how to …

Gianna’s 13th birthday is nearing. Along with the internal struggle of dealing with the fact that my baby will be a teenager in a couple weeks, I am also overloaded …

Recently, I wrote a post on Facebook to share my short story about my 12 year old daughter Gianna having her butt touched by a boy at school. After sharing …

Parenting is hard. Recently my 12 year old daughter, Gianna, was sexually harassed at school and this is how I dealt with the situation.

I really thought I was having a boy. When we learned it was another girl, I had to adjust my emotions. While I am excited for this little girl, there’s …

I wanted to break tradition and not have my daughter believe in Santa. It didn’t feel right in my heart creating all the lies that surround the magic. I just …

These weeks leading up to my next doc appointment have been slow as my kids getting ready to leave the house because, regardless of if we have girl #3 or …

A lot of parents give you a rosy look on what raising children is like. How much they absolutely love their kids and how perfect they are. Kids being the …

I always try to title my posts in a somewhat clever way. It’s hard because I don’t want to be boring and call it “6 Weeks Pregnant – My Experience”. …

It was somewhat fitting that, on the day I promoted my post about trying for a boy, I found out I was actually pregnant. I kind of called it though. …

Being 37 and a mom of 2, I have the struggle of dressing my age and dressing my body. There are certain fashion choices that just look ridiculous on a …

I am 37 as I write this post. Not dead yet, but not at the ideal age for a 9 month sobriety challenge (aka pregnancy). Because, at this age, it’s …

A lot of people think I am exaggerating or merely joking when I talk about how unreal Scarlett can be. Between her difficulty getting dressed, inability or unwillingness to follow …

First things first. I am not a lady. No one would ever call me prim or proper. I fart – because everyone does. I crack dirty jokes. I wear a …

You know those moments in your life, when you’re not sure if you are excited or sad? Like when you can’t wait for your wedding, but mid-way through the ceremony, …

Scarlett had her 8th birthday party this past weekend. I was relieved to find a local music studio that offered birthday parties. Scarlett’s ability to hang on to disappointment is …

We are officially closing out the second full week of summer since school let out and my house has become over-ridden with the disease known as slime. I had the …

I dread Scarlett’s outfit selection process more than I dread going to the gyno for my annual pap smear. Sure, the room is always freezing, I’m naked save only for …

Chaperoning sucks. Especially for me. I never wanted kids and don’t really like them. It’s just who I am. So with that in mind, why on earth would I volunteer …

Growing up, I didn’t want to be a mom and I definitely didn’t want kids…ever. I think deep down it’s a combination of a few things. First, because I didn’t …