Melanie McGehee
Melanie McGehee never knew she wanted to be a mom. Even marriage caught her somewhat by surprise, in spite of the fact that she met husband Andy through a matchmaking service. She thanked eharmony by writing about that experience for an anthology, A Cup of Comfort for Women in Love. Almost two years to the day after marrying him, she stared at two pink lines and wondered aloud, “Is this okay?” His response, “Kind of late to be asking that now.” It was a bit late – in life. But at the advanced maternal age of 35, she delivered by surprise at 35 weeks and an emergency C-section, a healthy baby boy. Ian, like Melanie, is an only child. She’s written much about him during her years with the blog, but he’s now a teenager. Please, don’t do the math. It’s true. Momming in middle age is the best!
Knock, Knock! Who’s There? Hospitality After Halloween
We'd lived in the neighborhood for five months and I still didn't know anyone with kids. My baby was almost one year old and I planned to make the most of Halloween.
Armed with a...
12 Budget-Friendly Things to Do with Your Tween Around Columbia
You know all the baby and child-friendly places in the Midlands, but your child is too old for that stuff now and you have a tween? You need a new place, a new activity, a new...
The Best Summer Toy for Moms and Middle School Boys
Remember playing Chutes and Ladders together? Candyland? Connect Four? Uno? I loved those games.
OK, not Candyland. I have a few good fuzzy memories of playing Candyland as a child. They include me always drawing a card...
3 Reasons a Meal Delivery Subscription Is Worth the Money
My mouth watered each time I'd see an ad for a meal delivery service. Friends began sending me coupons and free meal promises. With each one, I'd delve into the website, read all the...
State Fair Competitions :: One Local Mom Shares Her Experience
The SC State Fair is now open for entries in a multitude of categories, and we at Columbia Mom think you might be inspired. Each year South Carolina’s finest agriculture, art, crafts, flowers, and...
Local Educator Shares Tips and Encouragement for Social Emotional Learning
Have you been reading about how our children are behind after all that pandemic quarantining? Find it discouraging? Wondering what you can do? Local mom and elementary certified educator, Niki Porter, shares some encouragement...
5 Lessons Being in Pageants Taught One Mother/Daughter Duo
Amanda Mustin is so proud of her daughter Adaline! Adaline is three years old and was crowned Wee Miss Tiny Tot South Carolina 2022. When Amanda reached out to Columbia Mom to share the...
How I’m Healing From My Childhood Trauma
No one can say they've gone through life without some sort of traumatic experience. We have each encountered losses and hurts, done intentionally or unintentionally, the result of living among imperfect people in an...
Moms to See in the 803 :: Sally Peek
Sally Peek, of Nana by Sally, has been in business for fifteen years. Sally makes beautiful bags from leather remnants and fabrics, that are often vintage inspired.
Recently, Sally sat down with Columbia Mom to...
Celebrating Pride Month :: Meet Sara Cunningham, Founder of Free Mom Hugs
You've likely seen the stories and photographs about Free Mom Hugs. Moms and grandmas of all ages attend Pride events, such as Pride Parades, sport identifying t-shirts, and stand ready to embrace anyone needing...
Finding Educational YouTube Channels for Your Teen
I know the internet can be a dangerous place for teens. You should definitely read all the warnings and tips, and then decide which ones you ought to implement. After that, you should cautiously...
6 Ways I’m Helping My Child Grieve
My son was close with both of his grandfathers. When he was in first grade, they both passed away unexpectedly. They died seven weeks apart from each other. We hadn't yet finished grieving for...
Memes, Teens, and Strange Things for Christmas
We don't do Santa. I'm going to just get that out of the way. Close your mouth and keep reading. My son is a teenager now so it's too late to change our mind...
HELP! Where Do You Go For Parenting Advice?!?
Where do young moms go to get parenting advice these days?
Someone posed this question in a Facebook group last week, and I clicked "subscribe to notifications" quicker than a crawling toddler finds an open...