Kendra
Aside from being a writer, Kendra is a Birth Trauma Doula at KarysMa Birth, where she helps moms find their joy after birth trauma. A former middle school English and theatre teacher, she has an insatiable love for learning and a flair for the dramatic. Among the best moments of her life, she counts marrying her husband Steve during a dream rainbow wedding, planning a princess picnic on the beach with her eight year old daughter Karys, giving birth to her one year old daughter Saryn in the middle of a blizzard, and sitting on stage with Glennon Doyle. A Navy brat for the first 13 years of her life, Kendra settled in Virginia for eighteen years before she was finally ready to move again, relocating to Portland in 2014. You can find her work on Portland Moms Blog, The La Leche League Blog, and The Not Your Average Mom Project, as well as the hard drive of her computer.
I Took ‘Maternity Leave’ When My Daughter Was Five
My daughter was born in 2009 via an emergency C-section that proved very traumatic for me. By using a combination of FMLA leave, unpaid leave, and the sick days I had hoarded for over...
To My Baby on the First Day of Kindergarten
My Sweet Baby Girl,
I know you are a big girl now, mostly because you remind me at least twice a day, but you’ll always be my baby. When you are sleeping, your arms curled...
Why I Let My Five-Year-Old Wear Makeup
For many of us, hearing the phrase “kids wearing makeup” immediately conjures up images of Honey Boo Boo and Toddlers in Tiaras—little girls forced to grow up too fast. As soon as I found...
Oaks Amusement Park: Our Chipper’s Preschool Rides Adventure
I started hearing about Oaks Amusement Park immediately upon moving to Portland, and it’s no wonder, because this little amusement park packs big time fun. Our first visit to Oaks was last fall for...
Our Year Without a Car
I got my first car, a 1984 Mercury Topaz, on my 16th birthday. I plastered the rear end of that car in bumper stickers that showcased my most deeply-held adolescent beliefs. I also hung a...
How to Choose a Doula from the Pool of Local Pros
My daughter was born in 2009 via an emergency C-section that proved very traumatic for me. My husband and I are thinking of adding a fourth member to our little family soon, and if...
Explore Portland Like a Tourist {Even if You’ve Lived Here for Years}
My mother recently visited from Virginia, so I had the opportunity to view Portland through the eyes of a tourist once more. Granted, I’ve only been in Portland for about nine months myself, so...