If you haven’t noticed already, I’m kind of an idea person. True confession: That doesn’t mean I’m always great at executing the ideas I have, but my brain is wired always to be thinking of the next thing. It’s a blessing and a curse. 😜

The point is that I’ve been noodling with the idea of doing a monthly wrap-up for women for quite a while now. I’ve tested a few ways of delivering this, and finally, voila! I came up with a plan.

So, without further ado, here’s your Womanhood Unwrapped monthly wrap-up for April 2024.

It’s that time of year again. That’s right. The time of year when it seems like you should have everything in place: your personal vision board, your business plan, and your New Year’s resolutions. Here’s your simple 30-day plan to get yourself in gear.

As soon as January 1, 2024, hits, I promise you’ll be ready to charge forward with inspiration and powerful motivation if you don’t wear yourself ragged over the holiday season.

So here I am, cozying up with a warm beverage and starting my annual wrap-up. Here’s what I loved and learned this year. I hope it provides you with some inspiration for your own reflection.

If you’re a woman turning forty-two-years-old soon, you’ve already crossed the threshold into your mid-forties, or you’re just curious and planning for the future, here are some of the ways I’m striving to live a fulfilled and fabulous life at forty-two years old.

This year, we’ve collected our favorite products and gift ideas for the women in your life, so you don’t have to go hunting all over the place for the perfect gifts.

Here it is, The Womanhood Unwrapped Holiday Gift Guide for Your Favorite Women. Or, as we like to say, the Ultimate WU (Womanhood Unwrapped) Girl. 😘

Over the eleven years I’ve been a parent, and yes, to all of you grown-and-flown moms out there, I’m sure you’re thinking, “Oh, honey, you have no idea yet!” All the same, over this decade plus, I’ve learned (often the hard way 🥴) a number of valuable lessons about parenting two very unique little humans.

Whether you’re a new mom of two, a mommy to more than two, or are going through a tough time with parenting your kiddos, I hope this list helps bring you some peace, insight, and a laugh or two (no pun intended 🤪).

I wasn’t always a conscious, gentle parent. I was raised by a single mom with three kids under the age of 7. My childhood was marked by her struggles, her pain, and the harsh parenting techniques she inherited from her retired military stepfather’s overpowering, colossal presence. Here’s how I healed and began to parent in a conscious and loving way.

I spent my fortieth year working through these questions, reframing my goals as a mother, partner, professional, and woman over forty. And I don’t have the answers, to be honest. But, this month, I turned forty-one, and a peace settled over me. Here’s what I realized as I moved from forty to forty-one and am now solidly in my “forties.”

It’s not the end of the world to have a c-section. Here’s why this could be an okay end to your birth story.

I chose to parent, I wanted to be a parent, and my children are lovely, unique (albeit crazy) little humans. For better or worse, I want to be part of their lives. I want to be there for them when they are sad, happy, and all the things in between.

But, some days, weeks, or months just get the best of me. And this last week was one of them. So what should you do when, like me this week, you don't have the energy or desire to be a parent anymore?

After talking myself off the ledge and taking a few deep breaths, I realized there are some things I can do and need to do right now to make sure I can function as a mom -- especially during an emotional crisis.

Instead of resolutions, I believe that you need a plan. And not just any plan, not some loosey-goosey list of high faluting things you’ll never accomplish, or a gushy statement of acceptance that is actually just stunting your growth. I mean a real personal strategic plan that looks at your accomplishments, strengths, weaknesses, and realistic goals for the new year. Will you accomplish all of your pursuits in one year? Likely not, and that’s OKAY! A well-thought-out personal strategic plan isn’t about pressure or dooming yourself for failure; it gives you an incremental path from point A, where you are, to point B, where you want to be. And at the end of this year, if you sit down and create this personal roadmap again for your life, I will bet you that you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come!

Taking vitamins doesn’t have to be hard when you’re on the go as a busy parent. Here are some hacks for taking your vitamins with you, so your kids stay healthy.

My family decided to drive from Central Oregon to Maine on our first cross-country camping road trip this summer. Here’s how we did it.

My kiddos are nine and six years old now, so I feel like I right in the middle of the ‘raising children journey.’ Although, someone with adult kids is welcome to correct me on this. And I know the teenage years are coming and will change the dynamic drastically. Therefore, I am definitely working harder these days to enjoy my little humans, and appreciate how much they have grown already. But there are still those days (or should I more accurately say, moments every day), that I do not enjoy. These are the ones I look back on and feel guilt or regret for not being more patient, or listening more. But I think it’s time to normalize the rollercoaster of emotion that comes along with parenting. Stop trying to enjoy every moment, but enjoy the important ones!

Etta Loves was born, and this year launched their US presence as well! Creating the only baby products in the world designed alongside an Orthoptist (A.K.A. expert in children’s vision) -- putting science at the core of everything they do, Etta Loves, and Jen its founder have a truly unique mission. Read her story, and how she manages life as a working mom.

If you’re reading this, hoping to gain some insight into your hopes and dreams for your son or son’s futures, I endeavor to give you the following:

• A glimpse into how this modern working mom (me!) is trying to raise my son

• Camaraderie in the son-parenting journey

• Solace in the knowledge that we’re all doing the best we can

• A community of like-minded parents hoping for better for their sons in this complicated world

What do I wish for my son? So many things, but here are the ones I pray for the most.