Pods Blogs and Newsies 15

I had a blog several years ago that was mostly just my reflections on life and my relationship with the Savior. I had some rough years and blogging gave me space to process through the hard.

Fast forward to 2022 and life became even harder as my husband and I stepped in as full time grandparents to 6 - now 7 grandchildren whose father was diagnosed with leukemia.

The blog became impossible to keep up as we had to move out of state from Nevada to Utah so that the children would be near their dad who was receiving treatment at the Huntsman Center. He passed away 12 - 10 - 23.

Two months later a 3.5 cm mass was discovered lurking in my kidney. It is small but has grown around several arteries making it a “challenging case”.

It is treatable and also scary. I have all the feels: gratitude, fear, discouragement, overwhelm, and faith.

During all of this turmoil, my Little Gator book series has been looming on my computer ready for me to press delete or to give it a new life.

As I ponder blogs, newsletters, and podcasts and wonder what lies ahead, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible insight I have gained by being thrown into the role of primary caregiver to very young children once again.

I raised 5 of my own who are now all adults. Even with all of the blood, sweat, and tears of bedtime, rushed mornings, potty training, meal time, and messes everywhere, parents forget much of the struggles as their priorities shift. Their children grow up and new challenges take precedence, as toddlers turn into teens and then adults.

I understand in real time through daily experience the challenges of raising children in 2024. I also have the gift of experience from mistakes of the first go round, and I have a license in marriage and family therapy which completes the package.

So here I am writing a children’s read aloud book on a basic morning routine. with a bedtime routine, and a daily affirmation routine in the wings.

This is me.

If a podcast wants me, I can talk parenting, children, grief, homeschooling, the need for secure attachments, and not allowing electronic babysitters to usurp your role.

This wasn’t exactly the assignment for today but it is a starting point for me to say - here I am, trying my best to support families one book at a time. 😄