Kristen Hammaker
Kristen Hammaker is a Dayton native who recently moved back to the best city in the world. As a Daytonian, of course her writing inspiration is Erma Bombeck. She has two young children and works as a school counselor and Orton-Gillingham Practitioner. Since she has a son and a daughter, she understands how each kid is different and you can't over-generalize anything about gender differences in children. Her current Mom Fantasy is dreaming about a day when she won't have to constantly scrape melted fruit snacks off of all surfaces of her car.
Potty Training the Second Kid
Before I became a parent, I had a luxurious, rose-colored glasses view of parenting. I thought I'd teach my child to use the potty before age 2 since she clearly had such supreme intelligence...
Things I Didn’t Know Before I Became a Mom
Motherhood will change you in ways you never knew possible, and you'll undoubtedly learn a thing or two along the way. I myself realized there are so many things I didn't know before I...
For My Beautiful Mom on Mother’s Day
Dear Mom,
Especially these last couple of years, I have appreciated you more than ever. You have a special touch with my kids that no one else has. Mr. Cute is always saying, "I want...
And Just Like That, She’s Going to Kindergarten
I know it sounds cliche, but it really feels like yesterday that my beautiful daughter was born. I distinctly remember getting ready to go to the hospital to be induced. I felt a sense...
What Mom DOESN’T Want for Easter
Peter Cottontail, you better go on hopping down some other bunny trail if you try to bring me this stuff.
That terrible Easter grass that gets all over the place. Nobody likes that. You...
How NOT to Catch a Leprechaun
How not to catch a leprechaun, as written by a 2-year-old and 4-year-old (rather, let's say by dictation because neither can write yet).
Do NOT try to lure him in with plastic dinosaurs, though...
Second-Guessing Who I Am as a Parent
Some days, I sit and ruminate on my parenting choices. My therapist said the word "ruminate" comes from the root of the word "red," meaning energy. I try to exercise to move that restless...
Things a Mom DOESN’T WANT for Valentine’s Day {Hint, Hint}
If you're trying to find the perfect gift for the moms in your life for Valentine's Day, try to avoid items on the list below (speaking from experience), and remember, you can never go...
Things to Think About Before Getting Those Backyard Chickens
With the prices of eggs going up continually, seemingly without end, you might think getting some chickens would be better and easier.
Don't get me wrong, I love chickens, though not for the reasons you...
The 12 Gifts of Christmas {Mom Edition}
We've all heard the song and probably hum it all season long, but this version of The 12 Gifts of Christmas is a mom edition just for us mamas!
On the first day of Christmas,...
When Exercise is a Family Affair
While I was growing up, I always had a secret wish (or maybe a not-so-secret wish) that my parents would bike ride with me, take walks with me, or play some kind of sport...
October is Bullying Prevention Awareness Month
I love October because it brings awareness to two of my favorite causes - dyslexia as well as bullying prevention.
I am a Nationally-Certified Trainer and Consultant in the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (pronounced “ole-vay-us”)....
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
As a CALP (Certified Academic Language Practitioner) and ALTA member (Academic Language Therapy Association), I celebrate Dyslexia Awareness Month and always seek to demystify some commonly misunderstood things about dyslexia. The following information is...
Febrile Seizures {One Parent’s Experience}
I had read online before about febrile seizures, assuming that they happened to "other people's kids," maybe those with a history of seizures. At the very least, I figured kids had them if the...