Follow along as we post a new prompt from Womanhood Unwrapped here and on our Instagram for the next twelve days leading up to Christmas day.

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.