Musings on motherhood, mental health and living mindfully even when it feels like chaos reigns

How Do You Feel About Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions: it’s a loaded phrase. This is such a tricky time of year. I wonder if you can relate.  In the past, I have easily fallen into

When they move on

I thought I was so slick. I filled my life with wonderful things; friends and career pursuits and education, and so many dogs. I kept my essence protected, loving

Mom Confidence

I’ve heard all the metaphors about motherhood and animal instincts. I know what mama bears look like and how lionesses protect their young. What has taken me longer to

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Latest From Instagram

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Instagram post 17955686707442774 Dear Moms who need a little fun, I'm joining Keela Fowler for a conversation about makeup in her new series, eightyfive beauty connects. Keela is the founder & CEO of her makeup education company, eightyfive beauty, and her mission is to help make makeup easy and accessible for everyone. We’ve had some great conversations on my podcast so now it’s her turn to ask the questions and I can’t wait! We're going to be talking about my relationship with makeup and you’ll hear about an opportunity to learn from Keela for FREE in her upcoming challenge, Beautiful, Confident, Ready that begins Monday, May 24th. Join us live here, on IG, tomorrow, Tuesday 5/18 at 2pm! . . . #lovenotesformom #momslovemakeuptoo

Dear Moms who need a little fun, I'm joining Keela Fowler for a conversation about makeup in her new series, eightyfive beauty connects. Keela is the founder & CEO of her makeup education company, eightyfive beauty, and her mission is to help make makeup easy and accessible for everyone. We’ve had some great conversations on my podcast so now it’s her turn to ask the questions and I can’t wait! We're going to be talking about my relationship with makeup and you’ll hear about an opportunity to learn from Keela for FREE in her upcoming challenge, Beautiful, Confident, Ready that begins Monday, May 24th. Join us live here, on IG, tomorrow, Tuesday 5/18 at 2pm! . . . #lovenotesformom #momslovemakeuptoo ...

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Instagram post 17877296417344849 Have you loved the love notes? I hope so. If you want more encouragement, real talk and love delivered right to your inbox, go to the Want More tab in the link in my bio and sign up for my Weekly Wonder Newsletter. You'll get tips, tricks and tales from the trenches, delivered right to your computer door. It helps to feel connected. Promise. ⁠ xoxo, ⁠ CRK⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #parenting⁠ #lovenotesformom⁠ #maternalmentalhealth

Have you loved the love notes? I hope so. If you want more encouragement, real talk and love delivered right to your inbox, go to the Want More tab in the link in my bio and sign up for my Weekly Wonder Newsletter. You'll get tips, tricks and tales from the trenches, delivered right to your computer door. It helps to feel connected. Promise. ⁠ xoxo, ⁠ CRK⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #parenting⁠ #lovenotesformom⁠ #maternalmentalhealth ...

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Instagram post 17907426001859889 Dear Pinterest Moms, ⁠ Maybe you don't need to hear this, but I want you to know-don't let us get to you. You know, those of us who can't frost a cupcake properly or make color wheel lunches. Sometimes, in our jealousy, we say mean things about your efforts. Ignore our foolishness. We're sorry. ⁠ ⁠ Pinterest Mom, you celebrate your life-sized rendering of a TRex birthday cake. You pat yourself on the back for your perfectly coordinated <insert fave Disney character> themed birthday party with homemade centerpieces. You're amazing and your kids are so lucky to have you. ⁠ ⁠ Just promise me this: you'll only keep doing this stuff as long as you feel good about it. Please, the minute you find it starts to stress you out, or make you feel less than because it's not perfect, then stop. Just stop. ⁠ ⁠ Your kids don't care if the cake is lifelike. They care about the love that you so clearly have for them. So, find a way to keep showing that love in a way that makes you feel good too. ⁠ ⁠ Meanwhile, whatever you decide, please forgive the rest of us for feeling envious of your talents! ⁠ We love you. For real, we're in this thing together-even we if buy our cupcakes at the grocery store. ⁠ Sincerely,⁠ Non-Pinterest Moms.😉⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #makeovermotherhood⁠ #parenting⁠ #lovenotesformom⁠ #maternalmentalhealth

Dear Pinterest Moms, ⁠ Maybe you don't need to hear this, but I want you to know-don't let us get to you. You know, those of us who can't frost a cupcake properly or make color wheel lunches. Sometimes, in our jealousy, we say mean things about your efforts. Ignore our foolishness. We're sorry. ⁠ ⁠ Pinterest Mom, you celebrate your life-sized rendering of a TRex birthday cake. You pat yourself on the back for your perfectly coordinated themed birthday party with homemade centerpieces. You're amazing and your kids are so lucky to have you. ⁠ ⁠ Just promise me this: you'll only keep doing this stuff as long as you feel good about it. Please, the minute you find it starts to stress you out, or make you feel less than because it's not perfect, then stop. Just stop. ⁠ ⁠ Your kids don't care if the cake is lifelike. They care about the love that you so clearly have for them. So, find a way to keep showing that love in a way that makes you feel good too. ⁠ ⁠ Meanwhile, whatever you decide, please forgive the rest of us for feeling envious of your talents! ⁠ We love you. For real, we're in this thing together-even we if buy our cupcakes at the grocery store. ⁠ Sincerely,⁠ Non-Pinterest Moms.😉⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #makeovermotherhood⁠ #parenting⁠ #lovenotesformom⁠ #maternalmentalhealth ...

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Instagram post 17895824702037138 Dear Moms of Teenagers, Sorry, I'm afraid we don't pay enough attention to you. For some reason moms of teenagers stop talking to each other and the world seems to stop talking to us as well. There are no mommy groups when your kid starts driving or dating, or waiting tables to earn money for their own car. 😳 The myths are that teenagers are hard and moody and even mean. If this holds true in our houses, we clam up. Who wants to share struggles out loud? Because maybe you'll be judged or lectured or simply outed as a "bad mom". And if it's not true? If your teenager is actually someone you want to spend time around, and you rarely fight or worry? Well then you really shut up. Because you might make other people angry, or jinx your good luck. It seems, moms of teens, you're dammed it you do and if you don't. So, you get quiet. You worry and fret and question as much as you ever did in those early years, but there is no one to share with. I'm here to tell you we're all in the same boat. My truth: sometimes it's a struggle. They're independent human beings who test me at every turn. I worry about their safety. I worry about their mental health. I worry I'm too hard on them. I worry that I'm not hard enough. I worry that they'll hate me if I do or don't do the things right. (Spoiler: I almost never have any idea what all the things are and what is right.) ALSO, sometimes, it's nothing short of glorious. There is laughter and warmth and love. I find them to be spectacular independent human beings who amaze me with their wit and wisdom. I am newly understanding the deepest meaning of proud as I watch them grow. AND I am newly understanding the deepest feeling of loss as I watch them fly away, in search of their own dreams. Both the negative myths and the positive and heartbreaking truth are what shows up in my house on a daily basis. Teenagers, raising them, is messy business. We need each other to help us all get through. Remember I'm here, in it with ya. Reach out when you need a reminder of how great you are. You got this mama. Even when it doesn't feel that way. You're perfect. You rock. You're loved. xoxo, CRK #parentingteens #maternalmeantalhealth

Dear Moms of Teenagers, Sorry, I'm afraid we don't pay enough attention to you. For some reason moms of teenagers stop talking to each other and the world seems to stop talking to us as well. There are no mommy groups when your kid starts driving or dating, or waiting tables to earn money for their own car. 😳 The myths are that teenagers are hard and moody and even mean. If this holds true in our houses, we clam up. Who wants to share struggles out loud? Because maybe you'll be judged or lectured or simply outed as a "bad mom". And if it's not true? If your teenager is actually someone you want to spend time around, and you rarely fight or worry? Well then you really shut up. Because you might make other people angry, or jinx your good luck. It seems, moms of teens, you're dammed it you do and if you don't. So, you get quiet. You worry and fret and question as much as you ever did in those early years, but there is no one to share with. I'm here to tell you we're all in the same boat. My truth: sometimes it's a struggle. They're independent human beings who test me at every turn. I worry about their safety. I worry about their mental health. I worry I'm too hard on them. I worry that I'm not hard enough. I worry that they'll hate me if I do or don't do the things right. (Spoiler: I almost never have any idea what all the things are and what is right.) ALSO, sometimes, it's nothing short of glorious. There is laughter and warmth and love. I find them to be spectacular independent human beings who amaze me with their wit and wisdom. I am newly understanding the deepest meaning of proud as I watch them grow. AND I am newly understanding the deepest feeling of loss as I watch them fly away, in search of their own dreams. Both the negative myths and the positive and heartbreaking truth are what shows up in my house on a daily basis. Teenagers, raising them, is messy business. We need each other to help us all get through. Remember I'm here, in it with ya. Reach out when you need a reminder of how great you are. You got this mama. Even when it doesn't feel that way. You're perfect. You rock. You're loved. xoxo, CRK #parentingteens #maternalmeantalhealth ...

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Instagram post 18165404386125708 16 Years Ago Today My Mom Died. ⁠ Today, I'm taking a break from Love Notes to share this podcast which may be the ultimate love note. Today's episode brings our favorite @keelafowler back but instead of talking makeup, we're sharing our experiences as daughters forced to say an Earthly Goodbye to our moms too soon. Today's Conversation is one of love and loss and learning how to live a full and rich life without your mom to call when you need her. ⁠ It's honest and raw, sad and even a bit hopeful. Give it a listen. ♥️⁠ Conversations with Cristie-available wherever you listen to podcasts or at the link in my bio. ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #motherlessmothers⁠ #grief⁠ #mentalhealth⁠ #podcast⁠

16 Years Ago Today My Mom Died. ⁠ Today, I'm taking a break from Love Notes to share this podcast which may be the ultimate love note. Today's episode brings our favorite @keelafowler back but instead of talking makeup, we're sharing our experiences as daughters forced to say an Earthly Goodbye to our moms too soon. Today's Conversation is one of love and loss and learning how to live a full and rich life without your mom to call when you need her. ⁠ It's honest and raw, sad and even a bit hopeful. Give it a listen. ♥️⁠ Conversations with Cristie-available wherever you listen to podcasts or at the link in my bio. ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #motherlessmothers⁠ #grief⁠ #mentalhealth⁠ #podcast⁠ ...

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