Grade-schoolers, Ages + Stages, Celebrations, Child Safety, Holidays, In + Around Tampa Bay, News + Current Events, Toddlers

Should Halloween ALWAYS be on Saturday? The Great Pumpkin Debate!

Posted on by Tricia Sportsman
06
Oct

Many of us know the struggle that comes when October 31 falls on a weekday, as it does this year. We rush out of work, road-raging our way through the congested streets of Tampa Bay, to get home to our young children. We quickly throw food on their plates, get them in their Halloween costumes […]

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Babies, Ages + Stages

Two Mothers Love For A Baby Boy: My Birth Story

Posted on by Tricia Sportsman

To say that our path to motherhood took a long time would be an understatement. My wife and I watched everyone else’s kids grow up. We experienced a deeply painful and personal struggle that we did not discuss with many people. I was so used to being disappointed with the process of conception that I […]

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Babies, Ages + Stages, Tips + Tricks

7 Common Things New Moms Hear and How to Respond

Posted on by Tricia Sportsman

I was having a conversation with a couple of brand new mamas recently. We were talking about the things people say that even though they mean well (at least most of the time) drive us absolutely batty as new mothers. There were a couple zingers that each of us could totally resonate with, and we […]

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Toddlers, Ages + Stages, Travel

How to do Summer Travel with Kids: The 5 Best Things to Bring Along

Posted on by Tricia Sportsman

Summer is here and that can mean summer travel with kids! So, most of us will be doing a little traveling at some point. So about summer travel with kids….Here is a rundown of the top tools (in no particular order) for keeping children happy and occupied when on the move from a travel-experienced mom. […]

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Babies, Ages + Stages

Why You Need to Spend Baby’s First Birthday Abroad

Posted on by Tricia Sportsman

Why opt for the traditional first birthday at home when you can take your baby on a memorable trip abroad? If that idea scares you, fear not. First of all, every trip you take has its own challenges and stresses. Make peace with that and your baby’s first (and so on) birthday trip abroad is […]

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Babies, Ages + Stages, Parenting Wisdom, Tips + Tricks

5 Tips For Surviving Motherhood When You Live Far From Family

Posted on by Tricia Sportsman

As the mom of two elementary-age kids born 16 months apart, I’ve had a decent amount of parenting challenges. My husband and I are transplants to Tampa, so one of the most challenging things has been living far from family. Thru my experience, the following are helpful tips for surviving motherhood when you live far […]

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Teens, Ages + Stages

9 Tampa Bay Programs To Help Teens Find Their Passion

Posted on by Tricia Sportsman

When giving advice for a job choice or career, I have heard the admonition, “Do what you love.” But how do teenagers know what they love to do? Many teens graduate high school not knowing what captures their passion. As a parent, how do direct your teen to tap into what will truly make them […]

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Babies, Ages + Stages, Friendship, Parenting Wisdom

Five Tips to Help You Make Mom Friends

Posted on by Tricia Sportsman

I remember when I first had my oldest son. A lot of my friends then did not have kids so it was difficult for me to keep up with them. I had just turned 22 so I wasn’t too big on going out anymore. There were no more late nights at the clubs or spur […]

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Toddlers, Ages + Stages, Parenting Wisdom, Special Needs

I Am A Horrible Parent – Just Ask My Toddler

Posted on by Tricia Sportsman

Today started off normal enough – breakfast, feeding horses with my toddler, and watching the new Disney princess. Then we went to have some blood work done. Well, you would think it would be the actual blood drawing process that wiped us out, but no – it was the 45-minute wait with a toddler having […]

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Ages + Stages, Celebrations, College, Education, Holidays, Teens

Reflections on a High School Graduate and the Journey Ahead

Posted on by Tricia Sportsman
18
Aug

Adorned in cap and gown, the small blonde kid we’ve grown into a man walks across the stage and into the next steps towards adulthood next week. He will toss his cap in the air and officially be a high school graduate. One long chapter filled with lessons, tests, homework, and school projects on giant […]

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