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

  • “You’re Going to Figure It Out Like You Always Do”: Parenting Through Chronic Illness

    I want to believe I’ll be okay—I have to. More honesty. . . my health (& my body) weighs heavily—pun intended—on my emotional well-being. When I talk about depressive episodes, my deepest clouds, I’m talking about days where I woke up with a chronic illness flare-up. These morning begin with self-doubt questions: Did my body…

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  • One Bad Chapter Doesn’t Mean Your Story Is Over: Turn the Page

    September is Suicide Awareness Month, emphasizing open dialogue about mental health. The author shares personal experiences with depression, highlighting the importance of connection and support. Through children’s literature, they aim to teach that emotions are real and manageable, encouraging conversations that foster healing and diminish isolation. Reaching out can save lives.

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  • The First “I Hate You”: A Memoir of a Moment

    The Background Ever since Creature started school, her sleep has been… well, let’s just say some curse words. At school, she naps with the class. At the grandparents’, someone always sleeps with her. At home? She’s decided sleep is optional. Instead, we get hours of screaming, thrashing, & inconsolable tears. Her tonsils are inflamed—I’m terrified…

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  • This Is How My Brain Loves- Overwhelms & Shows Up Real

    The People Who StayRecently, the Merriment Maker shared a post about cycling through friendships — about the cosmic, electric connections that light us up… & sometimes fizzle out. (link shared below) I felt it so deeply. She wrote about showing up fully, creating waves of impact, & still watching the energy shift. She was honest…

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  • “I’m Frozen”: The Line to Delete?

    This picture book reflects the complexities of parenting, encapsulating moments when a parent can’t fully engage. The author uses the phrase “I’m frozen” to convey a shared understanding with her daughter about needing space. It emphasizes that it’s normal to need breaks while deeply loving one’s child, portraying the realities of parenthood.

    /more

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