Why This Blog Exists
I was listening to our neighbor's kindergartener having his usual five o'clock meltdown when the idea for the "popcorn method" popped into my head. While I had done a lot of elements from that approach over the years, I never had it organized like that when I needed it most. And that got me thinking.
When I look back at my parenting journey with my two boys - my absolute stars - I keep thinking about all the things I wish I'd known earlier. Those moments when I was in the thick of toddler tantrums or teen drama, and now I think 'if only I'd have known...'.
I realized I could have used a big sister like I could be now - someone who'd been through the entire parenting cycle and could share the hard-won perspective without judgment. That's exactly why I started this blog. The path isn't straight, it's full of curves and surprises, but I've walked it. And now I want to share what I've learned along the way.
A Little About Me
Here's something I wish someone had told me: you can be an amazing mother without loving every minute of it. I was a devoted, present mother who gave everything to raising my boys well. But enjoying it? That's a different story. Turns out, you don't have to love the process to excel at it - and admitting that doesn't make you a bad parent. It makes you honest.
Looking back, I realize I was so focused on doing motherhood "right" that, for a long time, I forgot it was okay to cut myself some slack and accept my feelings about it. The constant vigilance, the emotional labor, the way good parenting requires you to give so much of yourself - it's exhausting work, even when you're great at it. When it's your own children, there's no stepping out, no "I don't feel like it today." For someone who wants to do their absolute best, it's a lot of work, and you have to fight to keep some of yourself.
Now I have two young men who visit me from time to time. They're kind, they respect me, they're really fun to be around, and they're amazing people. I'm not always sure how I managed to raise them to be who they are - they have qualities I never had. But somehow, we got there.
Just so you know where to place me - I'm in my fifties, married to the same wonderful (well, most of the time) man all these years. I have a bachelor's degree in engineering and a master's in business administration. I've always worked demanding jobs and was never a stay-at-home mom.
I think the most important thing is that over the years we realized that for us the unordinary is ordinary and vice-versa. We've learnt to research and question the straight and narrow, connecting to our own common sense and what feels right. We think, deeply, about what we do and that includes our parenting.
Why I Stay Anonymous
I believe parenting wisdom shouldn't come with geographic or cultural labels attached. I want you to be able to try these ideas and thoughts for size without any preconceptions about who I am or where I come from clouding your judgment.
This isn't about hiding - it's about removing barriers to connection. When you're reading about handling bedtime meltdowns or navigating teenage attitudes, it shouldn't matter whether I'm Muslim or Buddhist, from Minnesota or Mumbai. Mothers are mothers. The exhaustion, the love, the daily challenges of raising good humans - these experiences transcend borders, beliefs, and backgrounds.
You'll also notice I use cartoon illustrations instead of real family photos, and that's for the same reason. Most of these drawings are actually remakes of real pictures we have - or could have taken but chose not to because we preferred to live the experience rather than document it. These aren't random stock photos; they're representations of our actual moments, just without the identifying details.
I try to stick to "real" images here, to keep it honest. Images created for other places, such as Pinterest or for merchandising (hush hush future project, I'll let you know when it's ready) - are not subject to this rule. Just so you're in the know.
My hope is that without those demographic and visual distractions, you can focus purely on what matters: does this idea resonate with you? Does it work for your family? Take what serves you, leave what doesn't, and judge the wisdom on its own merits.
Important Disclaimers
My Qualifications (Or Lack Thereof)
I have two advanced degrees - none of them in parenting, education, health, or anything related to raising children. All ideas, points of view, and suggestions shared here are mine and mine alone, based on my personal experience. Nothing I share should be considered professional recommendations.
About Monetization
I plan to monetize this blog through common methods like affiliate links, sponsorships, and partnerships. Whenever I'm earning money from something I share, I will clearly state that. More importantly, I will always tell you why I chose to share that particular information or product.
I'll be transparent about my experience level with everything I recommend:
- If I tried something I'll tell you what I think of it, even if that is a negative opinion
- If I haven't tried something but think it might be good or not good, I'll be clear about that as well
And I'll still provide affiliate links even for things I don't recommend - it's your choice what to do with that information.
Trust Yourself
As you'll see throughout my blog, I advise using common sense even when you're talking to professionals. It stands to reason you should use it when you're listening to me too. I'm going to tell you about my failures, my mistakes, and where I got things completely wrong.
You need to make sure that your child is getting the best you can give them, because you're the person who's with them 24/7. You are the person with the intuition, with the knowledge, with the feedback loop. So trust yourself.
I'm only here for support.💜
