Mental healthcare is a topic that is widely talked about but limitedly understood. I by no means claim to have all the answers but as a mental health nurse I do have some insight. We do not become mental health nurses by accident. No one just falls until mental health nursing. Pursuing a career in … Continue reading What a mental health nurse wants you to know about mental health care.
You tell anyone that will listen about your new adventure, including the poor deli lady that just wants to know how much ham you want.
My brother Joseph has always played a large role in my life. As my life has matured and changed he has been an ever present source of consistency. His childlike mentality has remained unchanged throughout the years. Change causes him a significant amount of anxiety and my family and I have done our best to … Continue reading The impact that my developmentally disabled brother has on my children.
Remember seeing the beautiful girls in high school? These girls had it all. They were talented, coordinated, popular, and confident. These girls would walk by and draw the attention of their adoring fans. If you took the time to look past the high school's leading women you would start to notice the background. The supporting … Continue reading Embrace your role: What I’d like to tell my high school self.
Cooking is a coping skill of mine. It works out well for me because I end up with food. I by no means am an expert chef. I cook what I like and hope that others can tolerate/enjoy it too. My first venture at sharing a recipe is what we refer to in our home … Continue reading Crockpot Bacon, Sausage, Kale Soup: The kale makes it healthy.
Parenting by definition is stressful. Constantly being subjected to the energy sucking nature of kids takes a toll mentally, physically, and emotionally. There reaches a point where you have to make a choice. You have to choose your own well-being above all. For any parent this is by no means an easy task… but it … Continue reading The Ultimate “Me Time”: A Kid Free Vacation
Parties are great. Whatever the occasion, you are celebrating something with the people you care about. Even if that celebration is simply that you are able to spend time together. The amount of preparation, planning, and anxiety associated with the event pays off in love, laughter, and memories. Almost every party has that moment when … Continue reading Post-Party Hangover: When no more craps are given.
The forecast said 9-13 inches snow. In Wisconsin that's considered a moderate amount. What was different was this storm was armed with strong winds and was coming for us from mid-morning through the late night, peak travel times. I'm a nurse in a hospital. There is no "calling in" for a snowstorm. If the patients … Continue reading I turned a blizzard into a mini vacation
This is one of the parts of parenting that I typically get judged pretty hard for. I find no logical reason to not be straight forward with my children. No one in the world is going to placate my children or keep their world in isolated perfection. The more honest and open I can be … Continue reading No need to sugarcoat: Advocating for straight talk with your kids.
From the moment I wrote the title of this article I have struggled. I am humbled by my inability to put into words the impact my brother, Joseph, has had on my life. I am going to give it my best damn try.
Tired Not Dead 