Once Upon a Time . . .

Like many parents, I’ve navigated the balance between motherhood & mental health. As my daughter began discovering emotions & language, I searched for a way to explain my own struggles in a way she could understand. When I couldn’t find a story that truly resonated, I decided to create one.

Mom’s Cloud and the Beach Adventure began as a bedtime story—using a gentle cloud metaphor to explore sadness & other big feelings, while teaching her, she wasn’t responsible for my cloudy days, but she can still love & support me.

Creating this story deepened the way my family talked about emotions. Through our nightly conversations, my daughter not only began to understand my feelings, but also started adding her own lines—many of which are now part of the book.

Ziggleoafing Books

*disclaimer: I’m not a licensed therapist- just a mom sharing a story about clouds & feelings. My hope is these pages resonate & encourage others to seek support if they need it, without guilt or shame.

I created Ziggleoafing Books, because children’s stories do so much more than “just entertain”. They help little hearts & minds explore, imagine, & feel.

I wanted to create a world of whimsical adventures, gentle lessons, & capture the magic moments that spark curiosity, empathy, & connection. While also encouraging pausing & emotional honesty.

Cloudy Day Chronicles

  • We Don’t Talk About Depression.

    Sharing mental health stories matters. In We Don’t Talk About Depression, I explore my journey through anxiety, panic, and intrusive thoughts, and how I’ve learned to acknowledge clouds without shame. This post reflects on breaking cycles, finding support, and modeling emotional awareness for my children — because it’s okay to not be okay. Resources and…

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  • I wrote a book. It’s in the world.

    What that process made clear to me is that there’s a real gap in the market when it comes to talking about big feelings in families—especially feelings that extend beyond a child’s own experience. My intention isn’t just to teach kids how to understand themselves, but to build empathy outward. To help children see that…

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  • Words Matter: When People Forget That Differences Aren’t Defects

    Words matter. I don’t always use the best words. I don’t always say the right things.  What matters just as much as the words, is our awareness.  The awareness of impact, potential for harm, & our capacity to grow because we know we might mistake our words. We don’t have to be perfect, but I…

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  • Merry Christmas: Facing anxiety, reading books, & buying supports

    This holiday season, I’m sharing the story behind my book launch, including Pay-It-Forward bundles, ARC updates, and creative ways to give back. Follow along for behind-the-scenes insights, mental health reflections, and joyful reading moments.

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  • “Progress & Resources Rhymes” (According to Alma): Book Updates & HelpFul Tools

    If you ask me how my indie-author journey is going, I’ll answer: “Somewhere between thriving and spiraling with purpose.” From moving my launch and expanding partnerships, to prepping swag and DIY booth experiments, this process is messy, chaotic, and full of unexpected lessons. With the right illustrator, collaborators, and a pause to grow, every hiccup…

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Send a Little Sunshine

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