Amber
Amber is wife to her elementary school crush and mother to three kiddos, ages 10, 7, and 4. Having recently moved to Portland from California, Amber is embracing her “new normal” as she navigates parks in the rain (bring a towel), the line outside Pip’s Donuts (it’s worth it), and where to find good Mexican food (still searching). As bio mom to her two oldest and adoptive mom to her youngest, special needs child, Amber understands and appreciates the importance of “mommy-time." Amber is also a grad student and soon-to-be Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapist. She shares the highlights and gems of what she's learning on her Instagram: @learnandliveproject.
Going to Therapy Makes Me a Better Mom
As moms, we spend a massive amount of our waking hours listening and responding to others. The incoming conversations change over the years, but they take up a lot of brain space, nonetheless. When...
Can I Put “Mom” on My Resume’s List of Skills?
After ten years as a stay-at-home mom, I've begun taking steps towards my dream career. Three years ago I enrolled in a graduate program, and course by course, credit by credit, I'm making my...
3 Reasons to Join Your School’s PTO
When we moved to Oregon, I was desperate to meet other people and feel connected with our new community. I decided to try a parent-teacher organization (PTO) meeting at our new school. Thanks to...
5 Types of Portland Splash Pad Moms
We don’t live near an outdoor community pool (and swimming inside feels offensive to the season), we’ve become familiar with the local park’s splash pad. My kids enjoy having the option of playing in...
“Mommy Juice,” Wine Tees, and Other Ways We’re Not Helping Our Friends in Recovery
I attended my first AA meeting a few weeks back. I am in graduate school to become a counselor, and one of my class assignments required me to sit in on three different 12-step...
Simplifying Summer: 3 Tips for Ditching Mom-Guilt and Enjoying the Break
When my kids were younger, the start of summer felt like try-outs for some “world’s best mom” competition. Facebook was filled with pictures of friend's refrigerators covered in hand-lettered “Bucket Lists,” chore charts with...
How Getting a Nose Ring in My 30’s Made Me a Better Human
I blame it on my nose ring. I always wanted one but never had the guts to pull the trigger and do it. By the time I was in my twenties, I was married...
Dear Mom: Please Don’t Walk Away From Social Media
I recently overheard a group of mom's having a conversation about social media. It went something like this:
“I’m so over Facebook. I’m deleting my account.”
“Me, too. I shut down my Instagram last month and...
Ghosting? Nope. It’s Called “Motherhood”
A few weeks ago, I sent a text message to a friend with a few questions about an upcoming gathering. A couple of days later she replied with her answers and started her response...
Santa, Sex, and Other Big Conversations I’ve Had in My Minivan
My oldest will be eleven this year and I’m finding the “behavior modification” parts of parenting are happening less and less. We’ve moved into this new phase where I feel more like a sideline...