Tag: life

No, You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone

On By justmymomsenseIn Mental HealthLeave a comment

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and every year I find myself thinking about how much has and hasn’t changed in the way we talk about mental health. We’ve come a long way. But there are so many people that still feel if they can’t handle things on their own, something must be wrong with them.

That’s a lie.

Something I hear a lot, which sounds cliche but is also true: “We would never tell someone with a broken leg to just push through. Mental health deserves the same grace.”

We don’t think twice about going to a doctor for a fever, a sprained ankle, a headache that won’t quit. We don’t tell ourselves we’re weak for needing antibiotics or a cast. And yet, when it comes to anxiety, depression, grief, burnout (all the invisible weight people carry), there’s still this idea that we should just… figure it out.

Mental health is health. Full stop. It affects how we sleep, how we parent, how we show up for the people we love, how we feel in our own skin. Struggling mentally is not a character flaw any more than struggling physically is. And just like physical health, it exists on a spectrum, from everyday stress to more serious conditions and all of it is worth taking seriously.

Here’s the thing about asking for help that I think gets missed: it takes courage. It is not an easy thing. It means admitting that something is hard. It means deciding that you matter enough to invest in. That’s not weakness, that’s strength.

Therapy, medication, a support group, an honest conversation with a friend, all of these aren’t signs that you’ve failed. They’re tools. And smart, strong people use the right tools for the job.

Let’s use this month to give ourselves and the people around us more grace. And then let’s keep that going each month after that. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. If someone you love is struggling, the kindest thing you can do is make space for that conversation without judgment. And if you’ve been carrying something heavy for a while now, please know: reaching out is not weakness. It might just be the strongest thing you do all year.

If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7: call or text 988. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

Everyday Kindness: Small Acts That Make a Big Difference

On By justmymomsenseIn KindnessLeave a comment

Today is World Kindness Day, a reminder that kindness doesn’t have to be big, loud, or complicated. Sometimes, the most powerful acts of kindness are the quiet, everyday ones. As parents, we have this amazing opportunity to help our children understand that kindness is a skill, a habit, and a choice.

Here are a few simple ways families can celebrate kindness, not just today, but everyday:

Kindness begins in the little moments. Encourage siblings to help one another, say thank you, and use gentle words. Let your kids see you apologize when needed.

Create a “Kindness Jar.” Every time someone in the family does something kind, (holding the door, helping clean up, comforting a friend) write it down and drop it in the jar. At the end of the week, read them aloud and recognize the acts together.

Send a handwritten note to a teacher, draw a picture for a neighbor, or drop off snacks for your local library or fire station. Showing gratitude to others teaches kids that kindness connects us all.

Model it. When we give ourselves grace after a tough day or use positive words when talking about ourselves, we show our kids that kindness isn’t just something we give, it’s something we deserve, too.

Ask your kids what kindness means to them. You might be surprised by their answers. These conversations help build empathy and awareness.

Kindness doesn’t require perfection, it just needs intention. Today, take one extra moment to be kind, not only to others but yourself too. Then, share your favorite family kindness idea in the comments or tag #JustMyMomSense on social media! Let’s fill our feeds (and our homes) with a little more good.

Back to School and Back to the Podcast!

On By justmymomsenseIn PodcastLeave a comment

After a summer hiatus, Just My MomSense is back and I couldn’t be more excited!.

If you’re new here, welcome! I’m Jen, a mom navigating the everyday ups and downs of parenting, sharing stories, resources, and encouragement along the way.

This week’s episode is a solo one, where I’m catching you up on how summer went in our house, how we’re handling the big back-to-school transition, and what’s ahead for the podcast.

🎧You can listen to the full episode, Summer Recap, Back to School and More Episodes Ahead, by clicking here or wherever you listen to podcasts.

I’d love to hear from you too! How was your summer, and how is the back-to-school season going for your family? Share with me in the comments below or come connect on Instagram [@justmymomsense].

You Don’t Have to Do the Whole School Year Today

On By justmymomsenseIn Anxiety, schoolLeave a comment

Last Tuesday was the first day of school in my area. We had an awesome summer full of fun, family, travel and friends! That would be a tough one to transition from normally, but this year both of my kids were going into new schools. If you’ve read this blog before, then you can probably assume that this caused plenty of anticipatory anxiety in my house.

Last week, as we were navigating first-day jitters, endless forms, and figuring out new drop-off times, my husband and I reminded the kids (and ourselves):

You don’t have to do the whole school year today. You only have to do today.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the big picture:

  • The homework and projects that will eventually be assigned
  • The tests that will need to be studied for
  • The extracurricular activities and school events that fill the calendar

But when we focus on everything all at once, it feels overwhelming before we even begin. That’s true for our kids, and it’s true for us as parents. We’ve been working on breaking it down into manageable pieces. Today we wake up, we eat breakfast, we get to school, we do our best. That’s it. Tomorrow we’ll do it again. One day at a time.

As I write this, the Sunday Scaries are creeping in. If you deal with that too (as an adult or child), know that you’re not alone. Keep taking everything one day at a time. Look for the small victories, the things to celebrate and the mishaps to learn from.

We don’t have to do all the days, we just have to do today.

Just My MomSense Podcast Is Live! Here’s What You’ve Missed (So Far)

On By justmymomsenseIn PodcastLeave a comment

Just My MomSense: The Podcast is officially out in the world! I was excited (and a little nervous!) to finally hit publish on these first few episodes.

If you’re new here: I’m not an expert. I’m a mom learning, growing, and doing the best I can just like you. This podcast is a space for parents, caregivers, and anyone navigating the world of raising humans.

Let’s take a look at the first three episodes in case you missed them:

Episode 1: Introducing Just My MomSense

This one is short and sweet! I talk about why I started this podcast and what you can expect going forward. Every good series needs a Pilot episode!

🎧 Listen here

Episode 2: Understanding the 8 Senses

In this episode I dive into all eight senses: what they are, how they work, and why understanding them is essential for supporting your kids (and yourself)

🎧 Listen here

Episode 3: How We Learn with Dr. Val

This episode has my first official guest, my friend Dr. Val!  We talk all about how we really learn. We dive into the different learning styles and explore why recognizing these styles matters for kids and adults alike. 

🎧 Listen here

More to Come!

Looking forward to more interviews with experts and incredible parents, solo chats sharing my own tips, and resources I’ve found helpful along the way.

If you’ve listened, THANK YOU!

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and if you like what you hear, leave a quick rating or review. It helps so much in getting the word out.