I have to confess something: I love working on my Oscar speech. On long runs, music pumping, I imagine myself on stage. In my daydream, I’m married to Markie Mark (Matt knows), & I’m winning an Oscar for a movie I built entirely in my imagination – a retelling of Oliver Twist, based on a read more
Tag: life
From Kids’ Book to Mental Health Advocate: Sharing My Author Journey
Discover how writing a children’s book for my kids became a powerful journey in finding my voice, speaking openly about mental health, and connecting with audiences through podcasts and storytelling.
Fighting My Brain: A Mom’s Real Battle
A raw, honest reflection on parenting with depression and anxiety. One mom shares how intrusive thoughts, mom guilt, and self-doubt nearly stole her joy—and how she learned that clouds don’t last forever.
I Respectfully Disagree: Why My Picture Book Highlights a Parent’s Mental Health
When a hybrid publisher told me my picture book about parental mental health “wasn’t right for kids,” I disagreed. Here’s why I believe children can understand complex emotions—and why we need more stories about parents with cloudy days.
Seeing My Story in Color: A Vibrant Reaction
Mom’s Cloud at the Beach was born from collaboration, imagination, and a touch of vulnerability. As she waited for the sketches to arrive, she carried the weight of expectation—wondering if the illustrations would capture the emotions she had poured into the story. When the PDF finally appeared, it wasn’t exactly what she had envisioned. The focus shifted, the colors highlighted emotions she hadn’t anticipated—and in that unexpected moment, she found the connection she truly needed.
A Conversation Had: Unlocking Some Insights
This author wanted the identity of Mom to be her whole world. She created a chosen family, she created her own family, and in doing so, she could leave the old self behind and fully embrace someone she was ready to share. She comes with clouds, yes, but on other days she brings fierce sunshine—a kind of sunshine born from knowing darkness, one she can use to spread joy.
One question stopped her in her tracks: “But why?” It was simple, yet demanded an honesty she hadn’t fully given before. She realized she’d spent so long telling a story of strength—the cloud she carries is only a part of her, not the whole. But in that moment, she began to speak more fully, more truthfully.
Breaking Cycles: A Weekend of Parenting, Joy, & Mental Health Awareness
This Mom faced a long weekend solo with both kids, anxiety in tow, and chose to do things differently. Instead of spiraling, she filled their days with joy: a cozy game night, movie time, a bubble parade, and an AFSP walk—dressed in beads, carrying love, and supporting causes close to her heart.
Even the harder moments—bedtime battles, tantrums, and morning chaos—became opportunities to pause, listen, and collaborate with her kids. Alma’s simple solution to the “shoe struggle” worked, proving that small shifts can break big cycles.
Facing Rejection in Publishing: Why I’m Still Writing About Mental Health for Kids
’m still here. Still writing. Still querying—because I carry this stubborn hope that someone, somewhere, will see value in parenting with depression. That they’ll understand it matters to be the parent willing to talk about this, with more words, deeper emotion, and a touch of whimsical truth.
“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 read more
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.