This weekend was a whirlwind—but in the best way. With my husband away at a bachelor party in Virginia, I faced a long weekend with both kids after an already exhausting work week. As a person who usually struggles with anxiety when left on my own, I decided to approach things differently.
In the past, I might have let the stress build. But this time, I chose to break the cycle.
Cycle Breaker #1: Instead of Spiraling
Instead of sinking into worry, I filled our days with connection, community, & joy:
- Friday’s cozy game night with a friend while the kids enjoyed movie time
- Saturday walking together at the AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) event—dressed in beads, carrying love, & donating to causes close to my heart like the 988 helpline & Free Mom Hugs
- Then, a mom’s pumpkin beer night while the kids happily chased each other around
- Sunday capping it all off with a bubble parade
Gentle Parenting in Action: Finding Strength in Harder Moments
Beyond the fun, I also wanted to show up stronger for the tricky parts—like morning workouts & bedtime.
Cycle Breaker #2: Instead of Fighting Sleep
Alma hasn’t been falling asleep easily, & instead of battling against it solo mode, I leaned in to make it playful.
When she was still battling to stay awake at 10pm, we had a late-night jump-on-the-bed dance party sleepover. She surrounded herself with toys, filled my room with comfort, & finally drifted off peacefully.
Safe to say, we slept in, then both woke up feeling like champs. I even fit in my morning workout—thanks to Alma’s sweet permission: “Mom, you go walk. I’ll watch Max with Bluey. Take your time.”
Sorry, hubby—but this weekend proved that I can do it. I don’t always need to tag out or rely on someone else. Maybe I’ve leaned on that support just because it was there.
It wasn’t perfect—I still had messy moments & little frustrations, but I made space for creativity, laughter, & problem-solving. In doing that, I realized I’m not just “getting through” the hard parts. I’m growing. I’m building new ways of parenting that are mine, that don’t always depend on someone swooping in to rescue me.
That doesn’t mean I don’t value partnership or help—it means I trust myself more now. & that feels like its own cycle broken.
Mental Health Awareness: Owning My Story at the AFSP Walk
Speaking of breaking cycles… I am so proud of myself for the AFSP walk. I’ve always been the kind of person to join marches, wave flags, & support from the sidelines—but this time was different.
This walk wasn’t just about showing up for others. It was about owning my story with pride.
I pinned on a button that read I walk for my cloudy days, & for once, I didn’t feel ashamed. My kids ran beside me, cheering, “Today is a happy day!” Together, we looked up at the wide, open sky & knew—there would be no clouds holding us back.
Cycle Breaker #3: Learning From My Child
The morning of the race wasn’t easy—okay, there were a few not-so-easy moments. But delightfully, they don’t linger in my memory, because I championed them.
The one that lingers…Alma, who would NOT get ready…
I was in the kitchen cutting pumpkins, asked her to put on shoes, but instead—she came out three different times with a new dress.
1st new dress, I said ‘cute- but where are your shoes.’
2nd new dress, I said ‘Alma, SHOES.’
By the 3rd dress, I snapped yelled, ‘Alma, I swear if you don’t put shoes on this second….’
On the drive, she sat quietly before saying, “I want to live in a house with less yelling.” Her words stopped me. I immediately heard echoes of my own parents: “I’m your parent, I’m yelling because you have to listen. I told you to do this, now do it.”
That’s when I chose to pause. Instead of repeating the cycle, I opened the conversation:
- “Alma, why do you think Mom yelled? It wasn’t the best thing I could have done, but what happened?”
- “Well, you asked me to get shoes, but I didn’t,” she said.
- “And that made me upset because we were trying to leave, right?” I asked.
- She agreed.
- “So what happened when I yelled to go get shoes?”
- “I got them.”
- “So yes, it worked—but it wasn’t the best way I could have asked. What do you think we should do next time?”
Cycle Breaker #4: Putting Ideas Into Action
The next event, I tried her idea—I put her shoes by the door instead of in her room. & you know what?
It worked. A tiny shift made the morning smoother, calmer, & kinder. That’s when it hit me: breaking cycles isn’t just about me doing better, it’s also about listening to my kids & trusting their wisdom, too.
Breaking Cycles Starts Small
This weekend taught me it can look like:
- Listening instead of reacting
- Making space for collaboration
- Trying something new, even if it feels small
Just like taking on parenting solo—I listened, I collaborated, & I said yes to dancing and sleepovers. Together, Alma & I found a new rhythm. & in doing so, we created something lighter, calmer, & joyful on our own.
m not trying to be profound here.
I know many parents solo parent completely, or for far longer stretches, & I deeply commend their ability to find that strength far faster than I’ve managed to.
This isn’t about comparing—it’s about recognizing what I hadn’t yet discovered in myself.
You can absolutely call me #blessed for the support I usually have, but this weekend showed me that when it wasn’t there, I could challenge myself, rise to the moment, & break a few cycles along the way.
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