People often say that my daughter and I look exactly alike, and my typical response is, "But she’s much prettier." I struggle to understand how I could possibly be considered that pretty as well. Growing up, praise was scarce, while criticism was abundant. As a result, I felt ugly and somewhat stupid, convinced I was never doing anything right. My childhood provided a blueprint of what not to do as a parent, leaving me feeling broken inside. I learned to project confidence wh

This blog post reflects on my journey of navigating girlhood through a challenging relationship with my mother. It delves into how my upbringing shaped my identity and the lessons I learned as a parent about fostering curiosity and self-discovery in my children. Ultimately, it highlights the importance of support, love, and connection that comes with embracing one's true self.

People flinch when I say how old my kids are, like I’ve got monsters at home. But my kids talk to me. That isn’t luck — it’s intention, born from studying my parents’ mistakes and my own. I made plenty of them when they were little. Their reactions were the mirror that showed me who I didn’t want to be — and where I could choose repair. ✨

Sometimes reassurance doesn’t come in grand gestures. It comes in a quiet question, a plate of food, and a note from a teacher.

Growth isn’t about pretending the hard things didn’t happen. It’s about letting them shape you without dimming your light — a reminder sparked while hosting my daughter’s birthday party and watching kids be so unapologetically themselves.

Moving to Manila has been an adventure — but it’s also meant missing the kinds of conversations that make me feel grounded. The ones where we can share the wins and the worries of parenting, and know we’re not alone.

One small choice to pause and respond differently can change everything — on the tram, at home, at work. Here’s what I saw and what it taught me about connection.

It’s summer again. 🌴 For the kids, that means no school, no homework, and weeks of unstructured time to play, rest, and… test your...