Remember in school when you needed permission slips? I was thinking about giving myself one now, as an adult and a parent. A little slip of paper on which I would simply write, “I give myself permission.” I’d tape it onto the bathroom mirror, inside the kitchen cabinet, on the dashboard, to the side of the coffee table, or over the bed. I’d put this unencumbered message where I could see it regularly and remember to drop my baggage and give myself permission to be the parent I want to be. Continue reading
You’ve probably read it. That blog post everyone is sharing about how being a mom, a lady in the everyday trenches with her babes, is more than enough for you, me, her, all of us. Now, although I get the heart of the message is to give yourself a break, a pat on the back, and a friend in the field, it’s all a pipe dream. Being a mom is enough? Nope, unfortunately, it’s not enough for you, me, her, all of us. 
While everyone is making lists of resolutions and preparing their excuses for why they didn’t follow through with trying to better themselves, I’m reminded of a time when our family made some big changes that had nothing to do with a new year but did result in a happier, healthier Lady. Buckle up, folks. Here’s the tale of my bumpy ride with postpartum depression. 
**Just a heads up, dear reader. I curse kind of a lot. I try not to do it around the kids or company or my mom or anyone I want to impress. Still, there’s nothing better than a well-placed swear word. This post is full of them! Being the Lady that I am, I wanted to let you know they were coming in case cursing isn’t as lovely to you as it can be to me.**