I was working on first a Masters, and then a Doctorate in mathematics when my first two daughters were born. Then when I got my first full time job, I gave birth to my son shortly afterwards. I only took a week to recover from labor with each of my daughters so that I didn’t get behind on my grad school classes. I also wasn’t willing to sacrifice my ability to breastfeed my little ones, so I either met up with my husband in between classes to feed my babies, or I learned to pump while at work. I understand the exhaustion that comes with having newborns and still working hard every day. Because of sleepless nights getting up to take care of a crying child, I fell asleep in class a few times, but I learned to lean on other people to help support me through this difficult time. I also learned a lot of tricks for working with a baby in my arms or in a seat nearby. My kids are all older now, my youngest is 5 years old, but I have a thriving career.

For the parents doing double-duty and still wondering if it’s enough. When you’re raising kids on your own, it’s easy to feel like there needs to be more—more time, more opportunities, more money for the extras that other families seem to have. You pour yourself into providing the best you can, but carrying the weight of two people can make even your best feel like it falls short. Do you feel like no matter what you do, it never measures up? If you’re a solo parent exhausted from giving it all and still questioning if you’re failing, let’s talk. Maybe you just need space to admit the guilt and pressure you’ve been holding. Maybe you want to release the shame of not having a partner, or talk about the fear that you’ll never feel “whole” enough for love again. However you show up, I get it—I’ve had those same doubts as a solo mom, and we can work through them together.

I'm not a therapist. I'm not "healed." I'm someone in the trenches who shows up to work anyway and has learned what actually works versus what sounds good in theory. If you work in libraries, social work, nonprofits, education, or any helping profession while dealing with your own mental health struggles, trauma, or recovery—I get it. The imposter syndrome. The triggers at work. The exhaustion of performing "fine." The guilt about boundaries. I'm here for real talk, practical strategies, and validation that you're not too broken to do this work.

When my baby arrived, life flipped upside down overnight. The sleepless nights, endless feedings, and constant uncertainty made even simple things feel impossible. I quickly learned that surviving those newborn days meant letting go of perfection and focusing on small wins—like managing one nap, one meal, or one load of laundry at a time. I found comfort in connecting with other new parents who reminded me I wasn’t alone, and I picked up tricks to balance work, childcare, and rest whenever I could steal it. Slowly, I built routines that worked for us and learned to trust myself more each day. Now, having come through that season, I can share what helped—practical tips, emotional support, and the reminder that every parent is doing better than they think.

My husband and I turned to fertility treatment after years of trying, and were overjoyed—then overwhelmed—when we found out we were having boy/girl twins. We were already anxious about becoming parents, and the thought of two babies at once was a lot to process. At the time, we had demanding jobs, long commutes, active social lives, and close family ties—so life changed fast. The twins’ arrival was baptism by fire: little sleep, big emotions, and a steep learning curve. Eleven years later, we’re still figuring it out—some days we thrive, other days we regroup and try again. Our goal is to raise kind, curious kids who feel seen as individuals, not just as "the twins." Along the way, we’ve learned just as much about ourselves and our marriage as we have about parenting. I’ve got practical tools to share—but sometimes the best support is just knowing someone truly gets how tough (and beautiful) this ride can be.

Becoming a parent later in life brought both joys and challenges I hadn’t expected. While some parenting experiences feel universal, I’ve learned that others — like balancing parenthood with a professional life or navigating the world as a parent of color — can be deeply unique. I’ve also found that parenting isn’t just about raising children, but about learning how to show up in different spaces, including among other parents, at schools, and in communities that don’t always reflect my own experiences. Along the way, I’ve thought a lot about how to advocate for my child, connect with the right support services, and step into leadership roles where needed. My journey has taught me that parenthood is about more than just surviving the day-to-day — it’s about building belonging for both yourself and your child.