1, 2, 3, GO!
Welcome to the very first post of Essentials for Kiddos! I am so glad you’re here.
Starting a blog has been a "tab open in my brain" for a long time, and I figured it was finally time to hit "publish." If you’ve ever found yourself deep in a 2:00 AM research rabbit hole trying to find the absolute best sleepsack or the most effective sleep training routine—congratulations, you’ve found your person.
From "Two Weeks" to Today
My journey into motherhood was, in a word, chaotic. I found out I was pregnant just before the world changed. I remember the nervous excitement of telling my teaching colleagues I was expecting; it was the week before schools closed for what we all thought would be a "two-week break."
As we all know, those two weeks turned into a new reality. I shared my. exciting news with my students over Zoom and experienced teaching over Zoom before I transitioned into life as a stay-at-home mom during the height of the pandemic. It was a time of isolation, but also a time of intense learning. Eventually, once childcare became available and I found the "unicorn" teaching position I’d been dreaming of, I returned to the classroom.
Today, that tiny ultrasound picture is a thriving, busy preschooler. (And yes, everyone who said "it goes by fast" was unfortunately right.)
My ADHD Superpower: Hyperfocus
Living with ADHD means my brain works a little differently. While it has its challenges, it also gives me a specific "superpower" that I’ve decided to put to work for you: Hyperfocus.
When I get curious about a parenting hurdle or a product, I don’t just "look it up." I dive deep. I read the manuals, I compare the competition, I scout the reviews, and I look for the best deal.
I do the legwork so you don’t have to. Whether it’s finding the best stroller system or the most appropriate bedtime routine habits, I love distilling hours of research into something practical and helpful.
What This Blog Is (and Isn't)
I want to be clear about one thing: I am not a "Parenting Expert."
While I bring a solid background in child development from my career in teaching, I am still very much in the trenches with you. I don't have all the answers, but I do have:
Deep Research: I lean on the real experts (pediatricians, psychologists, and veteran educators).
Trial and Error: I’ll tell you what actually worked in my living room, not just what looked good on Pinterest.
A Village: I’m constantly learning from my friends who are navigating their own new chapters of parenthood.
Let’s Grow Together
Essentials for Kiddos is meant to be a resource for the "research-weary" parent. Whether you’re newly pregnant and overwhelmed by registry options, or you're navigating the wild world of the preschool years, I hope you find something here that makes your life a little easier and your coffee feel a little warmer.
Thank you for joining me on this journey!
