Paula Billingsley
3 Unique Gifts for Kids on Valentine’s Day
Over the years, Valentine's Day has become another, in my opinion, opportunity for social media spoiling. So, instead of loading the kids down with cheap candy and breakable plastic, let's look at a few...
What To Do If Your Child Goes Missing
We hope it never happens, but it's important to know what to do if your child goes missing.
For this list, I consulted government websites, nonprofits, police, and parents whose children went missing. These are...
Special Valentine’s Day Pet Adoptions
If you're considering adding a new pet to your home, you may want to think about adopting from Columbia Animal Services. You can't put a price on unconditional love, but...
This Valentine's Day, in honor...
What I Did When My Toddler’s Cat Died
I guess I should have known better when we accidentally started rescuing cats, even though I’m allergic (another story for another time). Not every teeny tiny kitten is going to make it.
After we got...
Why I Take Saturdays Off
Let me start by saying, I am a SAHM (stay-at-home mom). Sure, I'm an attorney, but I only do pro bono work. I'm a writer too, obviously, but when people ask, I have to...
If The Words “Open Adoption” Scare You, Read This
For a lot of people considering adoption, "open adoption" is a scary word. I understand. I've been there. Having both adopted and then given birth to a surprise baby, I have some perspective. I...
National Transgender Awareness Week and Your Kids
November includes National Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20), and for many that's a confusing thing. Maybe you'd rather not think about it, but as much as you attempt to...
Ways to Give as a Family This Thanksgiving
There are many ways to give as a family this Thanksgiving. Both giving and gratitude has been shown to raise happiness levels, and the best way to teach a value is make it a...
5 Steps to Being a More Mindful Mama
Recently, I've been trying to be a more mindful mama. If you don't know what I mean by this, mindfulness is the practice of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment...
5 Ways Under $5 to Stay Cool in Columbia this Summer
Are you trying to stay cool and keep the kids busy? Let's face it, Columbia is famously hot! And parenting can be infamously expensive. So, here are five ways to stay cool this summer without...
Messy Mom Tested Ways to Make Your Kid Infested Living Room Livable
Let's be real: kids can make a mess anywhere they go. And while there's no need to make sure everything is neat and tidy all the time, the threat of actual filth can become...
Sorry, Not Sorry :: I’m a Helicopter Mom
I know, I know ... helicopter has become a bad word. No fair to helicopters either! I mean, all they do is rescue people, give us a heads up on traffic, let us see...
10 Nostaglic Baby Names Inspired by the 90s
With so many 90s kids having their own kids, we thought it would be fun to look back at names inspired by this generation. Thanks to pop culture, television, music, and more, these monikers...
Fun Things to Put in Easter Baskets That Aren’t Candy
Not a fan of sugar comas? Here are some alternative Easter basket ideas for kids of all ages!
Use an umbrella or rain boots instead of a basket. Include a game or two to...