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  1. until
    Join us for Sunday play at Sacred Heart Schools! There will be fun activities and open play on the turf field if it is nice out or in the gym in case of inclement weather. Parents, relax and enjoy coffee and light bites during this relaxed, fun morning! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! Sacred Heart is located at 6250 N. Sheridan Road in Chicago. Park in any of the school lots: https://www.shschicago.org/directions-parking
  2. If you’re anything like me, at any given time of the day, your home resembles a pigsty (hopefully sans the odor). I have kid toys, clothing, random bits of food, and some of my husbands random items scattered across the tables, countertops, and floors constantly. It’s become our new decor. While I’ve grown to accept that a tidy home is not included in the toddler parenting pack - I am constantly on the prowl for ways to improve the overall aesthetic of my home (AKA ways to hide all of the clutter). Smart storage has become my new thing. The excitement that comes over me when I walk through the cleaning aisle or the Container Store is enough to make my husband green with envy. But who am I kidding? I don’t actually have the time to stroll through store aisles often. So I am forever thankful to Amazon and their array of useful products that aim to make the cleaning process easier, especially for those of us with busy lives and limited amounts of energy. So without further ado, here are a few of my favorite (Amazon) things! Each of which can hopefully help you take on your cleaning goals and keep your home semi-less cluttered all year long (or until next spring, at least!) The Pink Stuff Cleaning Paste I’ve been hearing about this product line A LOT but it wasn’t until I saw a few reviews on TikTok that I was convinced to try it myself and I have to admit - it works. At only $5 a jar and with over 172k positive reviews, this is a buy that you won’t feel guilty about trying out for yourself. Undersink Organizer With all of the new cleaning products, tossing them under the sink or into a cabinet just won’t cut it. This undersink organizer was easy to put together and saves me a ton of space while keeping everything organized and easy to find. O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop A few years ago, I splurged on a mop system that also claimed to steam your floors so well you could eat off of them. And then the liquid steam solution ran out and it was a pain ordering a new one or a new mop head. This year, I switched over to this O-Cedar mop system and it also removes 99% of bacteria but doesn’t need special steam solution and the mop heads can be picked up at local stores! This bundle in particular even comes with a few extra replacement mop heads! FTW. 22 Piece Drill Brush Attachments Set My hubby bought this years ago when my 5-year old was in her prime “get everything sticky” phase. I thought it was a joke until he tested this bad boy out on her high chair and it came out looking better than new. I really can’t recommend this product enough, it helped reach all of the tiny crevices that food nestles down into and my husband was excited to use it because it requires a power tool. Anything that can get him to contribute to scrubbing is a win in my book. 2-Pack Mop and Broom Holder The people we purchased our home from were so ahead of the game on this one. They already had this installed into our home so I didn’t need to buy one but I had to list it here because it saves so much floor space and keeps everything in an easily accessible spot. Underbed storage We use these to store away just about everything but primarily for hiding out of season clothing and kid toys. We even have our kids help pack their underbed storage bin so they know exactly what’s there and where to find things (and return them later) when they want to play with them. My favorite thing about this pack, is that it comes with 3 bins and they have handles on them! Vacuum Storage Bags Want to stuff even more stuff into your underbed storage container? These vacuum storage bags are addictive and fun. Seriously, we kept looking for items to toss into them and flatten! We even got the kids in the mix and had them help suck all of the air out and talked about the science behind it all, too. I actually just purchased this pack to help with college packing in a few months! Based on some of your advice in the forum, here are a few products I’d recommend to help with some of the main areas you all said to be sure to tackle: Deep clean of baseboards: This cleaner with washable heads can help save your back and knees! Fully clean kitchen and freezer: These storage bins can help re-organize your fridge “Basically everything looks better in storage baskets” - I couldn’t agree more! Here’s a pack of three that are available in a variety of sizes and colors to match your decor! A few of you also mentioned donating things instead of just tossing them and I am a HUGE fan of donating things that we no longer use. Here’s one organization that accepts work attire to help the homeless and other people in need dress their best for job interviews. Keep the spring cleaning ideas coming! Share your favorite products, tips, and strategies in the forum! *It’s important to note that as a 501c3, we are always searching for ways to invest back into NPN and help us continue to grow. For that reason, we may occasionally earn an affiliate commission on the sales of products that we link to at zero cost to you. We vow to only feature items that we genuinely love and want to share and that our opinion on each item is our own and not at all influenced by any earnings.
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    Choosing a preschool for your child can be an overwhelming task, especially in Chicago where there are so many options. What is English Early Years curricula? How about Catholic, French Language Immersion, and Montessori, what are the differences, what are the similarities? With so many different preschool philosophies, how do you know which philosophy works for you and your family? In this discussion, you will learn about a variety of philosophies in early childhood education programs and the benefits of each philosophy in regard to character development in early childhood. In addition, our panelists will discuss some things to consider during the preschool search to help you prepare to choose a preschool for your family. There will be time for Q&A at the end! Our esteemed school panel consists of: Erin Woodhams, Director of Marketing, Admissions, and Communications, British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park Erin Roenna, Community Relations Coordinator, Montessori Academy of Chicago Cecilia Porter, Director of Admissions, Lycée Français de Chicago Corey Jacobsen, Director of Marketing & Admissions, Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph School Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors: British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park, Lycée Français de Chicago, and Montessori Academy of Chicago. And we appreciate our Supporting Sponsors: Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph School By registering for this event, you agree that NPN may share your name and email address with our presenting sponsor. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors
  4. until
    Come join us for a delightful Summer Fun playdate on Sunday, June 2nd, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at CST Academy in Lincoln Park. CSTA warmly welcomes you to a morning filled with sunshine-inspired hands-on activities, sensory exploration, and access to our indoor gym! We’ll be serving freshly brewed coffee, refreshments, and wholesome snacks. This event offers a fantastic opportunity for your child to have a blast while families discover our multidisciplinary services, including Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, ABA therapy, and our therapeutic preschool and kindergarten program. CST Academy is located at 1765 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
  5. until
    Join LEEP Forward and NPN for an inclusive Playdate with Sensory Exploration on Sunday, May 19th, from 9:00 am - 11:00 am for children ages 2-5 years old. Step into a world of sensory exploration and playful discovery with LEEP Forward! Our inclusive environment celebrates individual differences and encourages exploration, meeting each child right where they are. At our NPN Playdate, we're all about PLAY! Dive into a morning of fun filled with sensory exploration featuring various textures, obstacle courses, and messy play activities. Get ready to bounce in our bounce house, engage with sensory tables, and unleash your creativity with outdoor gardening projects (weather permitting). And don't worry about snacks - we've got you covered with healthy, allergy-friendly options for everyone. Plus, every family attending will be entered into a raffle for a night of respite/babysitting! Come join us for a morning of laughter, learning, and lots of fun! We can't wait to see you there! Location: 1447 W Montrose
  6. until
    Join NPN and CPS for a Sunday Playdate at the The Dr. Fisher Early Learning Center in Lincoln Park. Parents, grab a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy as your kids experience some fun activities and get to know this CPS Early Learning Center. This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! The Dr Fisher Early Learning Center is located at: 1840 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60614
  7. until
    Join us for a Sunday Playdate from 9-11am at Bright Horizons in Lakeview as you have the opportunity to Create Art, Engage in STEM activities and Play in the space. Healthy snacks will also be provided. This is a great opportunity to connect with other parents, have fun as a family, and take part in exciting and educational activities for your preschooler. This event is for children ages 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! BONUS! All families in attendance will be entered into a raffle to win four tickets to the new Cirque du Soleil show, Crystal, at the NOW Arena. Bright Horizons at Lakeview is located at 2840 N Lincoln Ave. Street parking is available directly in front of the school.
  8. until
    Join NPN on Sunday, February 11, from 9:00 -11:00 AM at the British International School of Chicago, South Loop (BISC-SL) for a fun and free, Super Bowl-themed playdate. It will be a big win for your 2-5-year-old when they suit-up for the BISC-SL team. We’ll be exploring, experimenting, imagining, creating, playing, and meeting new teammates at our very own Super Bowl Sunday playdate. Your child will enjoy a half-time allergy-conscious snack while you get a cup of coffee, chat with parents and learn more about BISC-SL. British International School of Chicago, South Loop students aged 3 through 18 experience the kind of extraordinary educational opportunity that gets children excited to come to school each day. The personalized, holistic approach to learning ensures that every child's learning needs are met. BISC-SL emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills to prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world. BISC-SL is located at 161 W. 9 th Street. You are welcome to park in the Roosevelt Collection parking garage for 2 hours of free validate parking. We look forward to seeing you on February 11th ! Visit bischcagosl.org for more information on our school.
  9. until
    THIS EVENT IS FULL: WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING RSVP'S. PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT PLAYDATE ON 1/28! Sign up here! NPN Playdates are back! Join us for Sunday play at Kids' Work Chicago Riverview! Their large indoor play spaces will be open, crafts will be available, plus goodie bags with snacks for the kids! Parents come and relax and enjoy as your kids experience some fun activities! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! Kids' Work Chicago Riverview is located at 3429 N. California Ave, near I-94 on California between Addison and Belmont. The parking lot in front of the building has plenty of spaces and there is also ample street parking in the neighborhood! All families in attendance will be entered into a raffle to win a gift certificate to Goldfish Swim School Roscoe Village.
  10. until
    NPN Playdates are back! Join us for Sunday Family Day at Park West Cooperative for a FREE playdate. "Bring the Outdoors In" at the Sunday Family Day with Park West Co-Op Preschool & NPN on Sunday, November 12th, from 9:00-11:00 am. Come with your child to explore outdoor materials inside our award-winning preschool classrooms and indoor gym! Let your child's imagination be your guide and follow them as they investigate a variety of outdoor materials creatively used indoors. Play in our sand and water tables, investigate sticks, leaves, fruits and vegetables. Try painting, build with blocks, complete puzzles, read books, and more. Enjoy the adventure- we hope you will join us! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old, and allergy-friendly snacks provided A goal at Park West Co-op is to infuse our school environment and activities with opportunities for children to further their understanding of literacy, numbers, arts and science in ways that make sense to them and are developmentally appropriate- all in a play-based curriculum. Learn more about Park West Co-op preschool here Park West Cooperative Park West Cooperative is located at 2214 N Bissell St, Chicago, IL 60614. We are accessible just two blocks South of the Fullerton L stop (Red, Brown, Purple lines) and easily accesible from both the Fullerton and Armitage bus. Metered Parking is available on Webster and Street parking is available but please allow some extra time as we are located in the beautiful and busy Lincoln Park Neighborhood.
  11. until
    Join us for Sunday play at City Garden Waldorf School! The playdate will start in the private garden where families and children can explore the sandbox, play train, mushroom house, and the rest of the secure play space. Children can roll dough and bake bread with a teacher and while the bread bakes, enjoy a short, age-appropriate puppet play. Afterward, enjoy the fresh-baked bread, continue playing and mingling with other NPN families, and if you like, use the time as an opportunity to talk with the school staff about their program and Waldorf early childhood education. City Garden Waldorf School is located at 920 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608. There is ample street parking on 19th Street. Enter the school through the garden located between 920 and 912 W. 19th Street.
  12. One thing I love about NPN is that I’m surrounded by other parents that I can honestly share the joys and woes of parenting with. One of those woes that many of us feel daily is the struggle of deciding what to feed the tiny humans we’ve created. My day often moves so quickly that the thought of slowing down to prep dinner for hours no longer fits into my lifestyle. Hangry and searching for ideas that stretch beyond my exhausted “Yummm” Pinterest board, I turned to the NPN Discussion Forum and found several other moms that were desperately looking for new recipes and tips to make dinner easier. A few weeks later, and here we are: launching our very first cookbook! NPN Cooks: Connecting Through Food seeks to compile Chicago meals from Chicago families and solve your weeknight craving for new dinner ideas. Obviously, we need your help and would love to publish your recipe — keep reading if you’re hungry to learn more! What is it? NPN Cooks is our first cookbook that we hope to turn into an annual NPN tradition and fundraiser. The cookbook will be a compilation of recipes from NPN staff and members and provide all contributors with the opportunity to share their favorite recipes and even add a special note (perfect for shouting out your great-grandmama for the original recipe!) or photo. [Related: How to get your kids involved in day to day cooking] How can I contribute? Click this link to add your recipe! It’s super easy and takes less than 60 seconds for the average recipe. We ask that all recipes are entered by November 25th so that we can design the book and get it ready for print for the holidays. Can I share any recipe? This year, we are focusing on family weeknight meals with an emphasis on mains, sides, and sweets or snacks. So we ask that the recipe that you share can fall within one of those categories. Is there a limit to contributing? Nope! There is no limit on how many recipes you contribute! [Related: 5 tips for cooking with little kids] How much does it cost? Contributing your recipe(s) is free! The cost for completed cookbooks varies based on the format that you’d like to order. There are multiple formats ranging from a digital version that you can access on your phone or tablet to a hardback-cover cookbook, with a few other options in between. How do I order? You can pre-order without entering in any credit card information when you submit your recipe. We will notify all members when the book is officially on sale. I have questions. Who can I contact? Please reach out to me with questions at sitaara@npnparents.org. Chef's kiss!
  13. until
    NPN Playdates are back! Join us for Sunday play at Catherine Cook! There will be fun activities on the Rooftop Playground and there will be two drop-in Read Along sessions 9:15 am - 9:30 am and 10:00 am to 10:15 am in their cozy library. Parents, grab a cup of coffee, share some yummy snacks with your children, relax, and enjoy as your kids experience some fun and unique Catherine Cook School activities! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! Catherine Cook is located at 226 W Schiller St, Chicago, IL 60610
  14. until
    NPN Playdates are back! Join us for STEAM Sunday play at Bennett Day School! There will be fun STEAM activities and snacks for the kids! Parents, grab a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy as your kids have fun and engage with peers! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! Bennett Day School is located at 955 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 If you are planning to drive, you can park for free in the gravel lot on the NW corner at Morgan and Hubbard. There is also free parking available on the west side of Morgan and south side of Hubbard, or metered parking on Grand Ave.
  15. until
    NPN Playdates are back! Join us for Sunday play at Bright Horizons Lakeview! There will be fun art & STEM activities, an obstacle course, a LOVEVERY raffle prize, and snacks for the kids! Parents, grab a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy as your kids experience some fun activities! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! Bright Horizons Lakeview is located at 2840 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 (plenty of street parking available)
  16. until
    NPN Playdates are back! Join us for Sunday play at CPS's brand-new Lincoln Park Early Childhood Center! There will be an open play space, STEM activities sponsored by Peggy Noterbaert, and snacks for the kids! Parents, grab a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy as your kids experience some fun activities! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! Location: 1840 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 (2nd floor of Hemingway Professional Building) Plenty of Street Parking Available
  17. until
    NPN Playdates are back! Join us for Sunday Family Day at Park West Cooperative! Come and experience a fun day of play in one of Park West Cooperative's award-winning classrooms! Let your child's imagination be your guide and follow them as they explore sand and water, paint, playdough, games, blocks, puzzles, and more. We will have our classrooms and gym space open for families to explore. There will be allergy-friendly snacks provided! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! Park West Cooperative is located at 2214 N Bissell St, Chicago, IL 60614
  18. until
    NPN Playdates are back! Join us for Sunday play at Lycee Francais de Chicago! There will be fun arts & crafts activities, open gym and snacks for the kids! Parents, grab a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy as your kids experience some fun activities! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! Lycee Francais Chicago is located at 1929 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 (plenty of street parking available)
  19. until
    NPN Playdates are back! Join us for play at Bubbles Academy Arts-Integrated Preschool! Your kiddos will have fun exploring their Meadows & Mountains Play spaces! Or they can express their creativity with an art activity! There will be coffee for the parents and light snack for the kiddos. Parent relax and enjoy as your kids experience some fun activities! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! Bubble Academy Arts-Integrated Preschool is located at 2184 N. Elston, Chicago, IL 60614 Parking lot is towards the back of the building.
  20. until
    NPN Playdates are back! Join us for Sunday play at Kids Work Chicago Riverview! Their large indoor and outdoor play space will be open, fall themed crafts will be available, plus a goodie bags with snacks for the kids! Parents come and relax and enjoy as your kids experience some fun activities! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! Kids Work Chicago Riverview is located at 3429 N. California Ave, near I-94 on California between Addison and Belmont. Parking lot in front of the building has plenty of spaces and there is also ample street parking in the neighborhood!
  21. until
    Join NPN program manager, Tareema, and other NPN members at the Cradle to Crayons Giving Factory. We will help sort and organize donations in the Cradles to Crayons warehouse. If you are bringing a child or children they must be at least 5 years old. Cradles to Crayon adult to child ratios are as follows: 1 adult for every 3 elementary aged children, 1 adult for every 5 middle school aged children, and 1 adult for every 10 high school aged children. Registration is a 2-step process. You must complete both steps to secure your spot. 1. RSVP with NPN. You will immediately receive an event confirmation email from NPN. 2. Complete the Cradles to Crayons registration link included in your NPN event confirmation email. Cradles to Crayons is located at 2500 W. Bradley Place, Chicago IL 60618. The GPS will not take you directly to our section of the property. We are behind Climb Zone, Power, and the other businesses in the front of the complex. Please go all the way to the back side of the complex near Elite Baseball Training and Windy City Ninjas and look for our purple Cradles to Crayons sign. We have parking spaces in front of our building that are first come, first serve. All adults and children must wear a mask over their nose and mouth. (Volunteers must wear the mask provided by Cradle to Crayons for the duration of their shift) Spaces are limited. Please honor your RSVP. RVSP no later than October 5th, 2022! Postpone your RSVP only if the following apply: - Diagnosed with COVID-19 and have not yet been cleared as non-contagious by state or local public health authorities. - Exposed to a person with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days. - Experiencing symptoms of illness such as a fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Questions? Contact Tareema at tareema@npnparents.org
  22. until
    Are you considering private schools in your school search? Do you have concerns about the cost of tuition? Or, have you dismissed the possibility due to affordability? This session is for you! Hear from some of Chicago's best private schools about affordability, grants, and financial aid. You will learn, about general needs and timelines when you apply for financial aid. In addition, details on affordability and alternative support options for each school on the panel. Our esteemed panelists are: Erin Woodhams, Director of Marketing, Admissions, and Communications, British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park Melanie Ahmad, Director of Enrollment & Tuition Assistance, The Ancona School Corey Jacobson, Director of Marketing & Admissions, Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph School Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park. By registering for this event, you agree that NPN may share your name and email address with our presenting sponsor. Free for NPN members and Non- members! Not an NPN member? Join NPN for $30 using promo code NPNschool22 and attend all sessions for free! Join here. Thank you to our media partner:
  23. until
    Choosing a preschool can be overwhelming but in this session, you will get tips on making it manageable. Learn when to start researching schools, how to build a list of schools that are a good fit for your family, and how to manage applications, interviews, and notification letters. You will walk away feeling organized, confident, and ready for this next step. Our esteemed panelists are: Erin Woodhams, Director of Marketing, Admissions, and Communications, British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park Melanie Ahmad, Director of Enrollment & Tuition Assistance, The Ancona School Samantha Maxwell, Preschool Director, Bubbles Academy Arts-Integrated Preschool Corey Jacobson, Director of Marketing & Admissions, Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph School Jimia Walker, Owner & Executive Director, Meaningful Milestones Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park, and The Ancona School. And we appreciate our Supporting Sponsors Bubbles Academy Arts-Integrated Preschool, Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph School, and Meaningful Milestones. By registering for this event, you agree that NPN may share your name and email address with our presenting sponsor. Free for NPN members and Non- members! Not an NPN member? Join NPN for $30 using promo code NPNschool22 and attend all sessions for free! Join here. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors Thank you to our media partner:
  24. until
    Starting preschool is a big step and it can be an amazing experience for you and your child. In this session, we will discuss helpful routines you can start at home with your child to prepare for a smooth transition, separation anxiety, and any lingering doubts you might have about whether your child is ready or not. Our esteemed panel consists of: Chloe Robson, Head of Early Years, British International School of Chicago, South Loop Jimia Walker, Owner & Executive Director, Meaningful Milestones Dr. Camille Franklin, Family Engagement Coordinator, CPS Office of Early Childhood Education Meg Fitzgerald, Early Childhood Director, Bennett Day School Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor the British International School of Chicago, South Loop and we appreciate our Supporting Sponsor Meaningful Milestones. By registering for this event, you agree that NPN may share your name and email address with our presenting sponsor. Free for NPN members and Non- member! Not a NPN member? Join NPN for $30 using promo code NPNschool22 and attend all sessions for free! Join here Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our media partner:
  25. Like many milestones in motherhood, I turned to social media and my friends who were moms to set my expectations for returning to work after maternity leave with my first daughter. The narrative was this: You will dread the end of maternity leave and curse the swift passage of time. You will feel your heart break and probably sob as you leave your child with another care provider. You will spend your entire work day trying to focus while only being able to think of your child. You will feel pulled in two directions, but mostly in one direction: home with your baby. When my turn came to drop off my 3-month-old at daycare, however, I found that very little of my experience mirrored the typical tale. Although I had some anxiety about leaving her with relative strangers for the first time, after just one week back at work, I felt unexpectedly happy and at peace. [Related: 3 things working moms shouldn't feel guilty about] Perhaps it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that I felt relief when others felt dread. After all, much of my postpartum experience to that point had veered from what seemed to be the norm. I struggled with postpartum depression, which left me feeling distant and somewhat detached from my daughter. I felt lost, scared and completely out of my element. My daughter was a horrible sleeper, making me a jittery, barely-present zombie just trying to make it through every day. When I was back at work, it felt like a gift to put my mind toward a challenge outside the eat-sleep-diaper routine, laugh with coworkers, look presentable and use the bathroom or drink a cup of coffee uninterrupted. After three months of total shell shock, I felt like I was seeing the sun again. As the months passed and I slowly overcame PPD and yet still had no greater desire to be at home, I started to feel guilty. I wondered what my happiness at work said about me. How could I be the only one who seemed absolutely certain that working five days a week was the best thing for me? If I were a more natural mother, would I want to be home with my baby like everyone else? [Related: Navigating the Great Resignation as a parent] But motherhood, it turns out, is much like the introvert/extrovert dichotomy. Where some moms derive their energy and sense of purpose from working, others find it at home with their kids (or some combination of the two). When motherhood worries consume me or I have a bad night of sleep, work provides a chance to step away, surround myself with other adults and remember that life goes on. Work helps me recharge my emotional batteries and regain my sense of self so that I'm a happier, healthier, more confident mom. Best of all, the fulfillment I get from work makes me the best version of myself so that I can be the best mom to my daughters. After several years as a working mom, I've become more comfortable in my skin. And the more conversations I have with other moms, the more I realize I’m not actually alone after all. During a daycare social event last summer, another mom confessed to me in a hushed tone, “Sometimes the weekends are so long and hard for me. Sometimes…I look forward to Monday. Am I a horrible person?” I smiled as I told her, with confidence and not an ounce of guilt, that I felt the exact same way.

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