Hello, let me introduce myself first..
For the first 30 years of my life, everything was smooth and worry-free. I was my parents’ most beloved child, found my true love in college, and happily married him after graduation.
At work, I was my boss’s most valued employee. Whenever I was in charge of a project, colleagues would inevitably say, “Oh, then I’m totally at ease.” I was constantly named “Employee of the Year,” with generous bonuses every year.
Later, I started my own business. Within just three months, I had broken into the market and started making money. By the fifth month, I was earning twice my previous salary. Growth was steady month after month. Right when the business needed more hands, I serendipitously met an amazing partner, and the company reached a whole new level.
Really, it seemed like at every step, whatever I needed, a pair of hands would always place it right in front of me, just in time.
My Two Girls: Ellie & Mia
Meet Ellie, My Firstborn
In 2020, my husband and I decided to have a child. After trying for over a year, we finally got the news in 2021 that a little one was on the way. In 2022, we welcomed our first child, Ellie. She made me a mother.
She is utterly adorable—big eyes, rosy skin, chubby little hands. Every time I look at her, I can’t help but give her a kiss. She is pure joy, and I love her more each day.
But as a first-time mom, I faced unprecedented difficulties. The postpartum tearing wouldn’t heal, and the pain was excruciating. Clogged milk ducts made my breasts hard as rocks. The severe sleep deprivation… And what was even more crushing was that, with zero parenting experience, I was clueless when faced with her unexplained wailing, night terrors, refusal to nurse, constipation, diarrhea, fevers… I desperately searched online, longing for one accurate, truly useful answer!
It was during this time that I thought, once I make it through this “dark” path, I must leave a light on for other new moms.
And Then Came Mia
Ellie had just turned one when I got pregnant again. In 2024, we welcomed our second daughter, Mia.
Completely different from Ellie, Mia is a great eater and sleeper. Although she had her fussy moments in the first two months, starting almost from month three, she became super easygoing. She feeds on schedule, gradually sleeps through the night, loves her solid foods, and adapted quickly when I had to stop breastfeeding due to mastitis.
This made me realize just how vastly different babies can be! It made me even more determined to write about my experiences.
Why I Had to Start This Blog
The Catalyst: A Life Pivoted
After Mia was born, my business also began to decline sharply. I had no choice but to close it and become a full-time mom. My work no longer involves Excel and Word, but instead revolves around changing diapers, washing bottles, making baby food, and managing household chores…
This has been a monumental challenge for me. All my past achievements seem irrelevant now. Managing two young children has brought me a sense of frustration I’ve never known before.
The Daily Reality
They are always fighting over things. When one is in my arms, the other immediately demands to be held too. When I try to cook, Ellie wants me to read her a book. When I attempt to load the washing machine, Mia has a diaper blowout, and I must drop everything to change her…
By the time I finish all that, I see the cup of hot coffee on the table has gone cold again. And it’s not until evening that I remember, “Oh my goodness, the clothes are still in the hamper, unwashed!”
Of course, being a mom is filled with happiness, but that doesn’t negate how hard it is.
My Promise to You
Because I’ve walked this path myself, I won’t just tell you how joyful motherhood is, like many websites do. I want to share my real, unfiltered experiences so every new mom can find a “companion” here.
I want to tell you: you are not alone. What you’re going through, I’ve been there too. Your breakdowns, your helplessness, your moments of losing control—I’ve had them all. You don’t need to feel guilty. This is just a small, necessary stretch of the journey for every mom.
My Hope for This Space
I really want to share my parenting experiences—not just the warm, glowing moments, but to honestly document the pitfalls I’ve stumbled into, the tears I’ve shed, and the “survival wisdom” I’ve scraped together in utter exhaustion.
The Goal: A Mom’s Toolkit
I hope this blog becomes a “mom’s toolkit,” filled not with vague theories, but with:
- Practical Tips: Like how to quickly figure out why a baby is crying, tried-and-true methods for dealing with clogged ducts, or how to efficiently manage the daily grind with twins (or two under two) solo.
- Pitfall Avoidance Guides: Sharing the baby products I regret buying the most, and those “game-changer” parenting hacks. Letting you know which parenting anxieties you can let go of, and which principles are worth holding onto.
- A Community for Moms: I hope my stories connect me with more moms like you. We can cheer each other on in the comments, share our own tricks, turning the storms we face alone into a journey we walk together.
The Bigger Vision
My previous career taught me to analyze data, solve problems, and optimize processes. Now, I’m applying all those skills to this new “position” of Mom. I want to prove that a mom’s value is absolutely not confined to the home. The mindset, resilience, and creativity we built in our careers can shine just as brightly—perhaps even brighter—in this more complex, long-term “project” of raising humans, and can even be transformed into a force that helps others.
My hope is simple: that every mom who opens this blog can let out a sigh of relief and say, “So it’s not just me.” Then, she can find a bit of practical info, a dose of comforting solidarity, and return to her sweet, chaotic mom-life with a little more confidence and a little less weight on her shoulders.
This road? Let’s walk it together.
Re: Choosing a preschool: I'M SO CONFUSED!!
What's the student teacher ratio?
Do they have the same schedule during the day?
Same amount of time outside?
Are the classrooms comparable? One of the places we went to had a tiny classroom and expected the kids to sit in their chairs all day because there wasn't an area for playing--- my DS would not have done well there.
We just went through this, and the one we chose was the only one we really felt good about. We knew it was the right fit from the start for our DS. But I would say our top 3 were:
-Small class size (regardless of student teacher ratio, we wanted a small class in general)
-Big on lots of outdoor time and nature exploration
- Director/teacher that had the same educational values and philosophies as us
Are you only looking at daycares or are you also looking at nursery schools/pre-schools?
I would want to know what the teachers' education level and experience is. Also what is the general philosophy/approach of the schools?
Oh i'm sorry, yes i'm looking at nursery schools/preschools. NOT daycares. He's in a daycare now. My mistake.
We are in the process of looking too. Some things I think about/ask when visiting:
Student/teacher ratio
What curriculum do they use
What is their bathroom routine like
Are snacks/lunches provided
What is naptime like
What is the teacher's educational background
How is religion incorperated into learning (a lot of the preschools here are at churches)
How much time is spent outside playing
as a child care professional myself, i would pick a school with a play based curriculum that supports creativity and not lessons. i would pick a smaller classroom for many reasons - less germs being passed around, sanitation, small groups support stronger friendships.
pick one that is close to your job or home
-What type of curriculum do they use (ours uses ABEKA---it's a Christian academic curriculum)
-How long have the teachers been teaching there? What is there educational background?
-How close is it to your job and home?
-What does their school day look like?
-What is their bad behavior policy?
-How clean do the facilities look?
-Any license violations?
-Student/teacher ratio?
-How involved are the parents?
1) developmental (social and play skills based) rather than educational
2) Teachers: How long have they been there? What kind of education? What is the staff to child ratio? Personality?
I am located in Knoxville, TN. The Goddard School in Knoxville has 9 classrooms. Children range in age from 6 weeks to 6 years and they are open all year long. Their hours of operation are 7 AM - 6 PM Monday thru Friday. They have a great philosophy, curriculum based, teachers all have a degree or are in the process of getting one, first aid, cpr certified. I always say, don't schedule an appointment, just walk in! If you don't have a good feeling, turn around and walk back out! See if you can bring your child in for a few hours and observe the interaction that takes place with teachers and other children, ask if you can speak to any parents whose children currently attend the school? Just a few of my thoughts. Goddard is a franchise and I know they have over 370+ schools! I am very happy and please with them!
Good Luck!
As a former teacher, I took preschool selection very seriously and went in with the eyes of a teacher. I decided to write a little guide for other parents who needed some guidelines:
https://noobmommy.com/2011/09/noob-mommys-guide-to-choosing-a-preschool.html#.Tx3Q2KWvJ8E
I hope it helps you out. I added two free printables on there for you to use. You can take them with you on a clipboard or something as you compare your school selections. Good luck!