Helping Teens Thrive
- Parenting Is Just Project Management with Feelings
I used to think I understood how systems worked. In my old life, I helped build products. There were timelines, whiteboards, late-night debugging sessions, and the quiet satisfaction of watching something finally function the way it was supposed to. Now I live in a house with four kids, two cats, a dog, and more laundry… - When You’re the Default Parent (And Still Grateful)
Some roles in life arrive with a title. Others unfold quietly. Somewhere between packing lunches, answering school emails, and noticing the subtle shift in a thirteen-year-old’s tone, I became what people often call the “default parent.” Not because we decided it formally. Not because I carry everything alone. But because over time, I became the… - I Don’t Always Say Things, But I Think a Lot
Sometimes people think I’m quiet. I’m not quiet. I’m just… thinking. My Brain Is Busy When you see a cloud, you see a cloud. When I see a cloud, I see a dragon eating marshmallows. When you see a worm, you see dirt. I see “Sir Wiggles the Third.” My brain is always making stories. It’s kind of loud in there. Just… - The Chore Race: We Made Laundry a Game
When Laundry Felt Never-Ending Laundry used to feel like the one chore that never actually ended. Every time we emptied the basket, more clothes somehow appeared. A sock under the bed. A hoodie in a gym bag. A towel we forgot about. It wasn’t hard. It was just always there. Since we’re in 7th grade, our days are already… - When I Say I’m Fine, Here’s What I Mean
It’s My Default Answer People ask how I’m doing almost every day. A friend will ask between classes, a teacher will pause before starting a lesson, and Mama will check in while she’s cooking dinner. Most of the time, I smile and say, “I’m fine.” It’s not a lie. But it’s not the full picture either. What I really mean is that I’m handling what’s in front of me,…
