Brittany Velasquez
Brittany hails from Phoenix, Arizona, but has lived all over through her husband’s career in the Air Force. They have moved from Arizona to Texas to Italy to Korea (for him) to Illinois (for she and the kids), and now Texas again — but this time as a reservist! Brittany has three children and currently spends her time studying in graduate school, mastering the art of precision over-the-shoulder snack throwing in her minivan, and saying yes to every single thing anyone asks her to do as a volunteer.
Why My Middle Schooler Does Not Have a Cell Phone
She first asked in third grade.
Two kids in her class had their own phones.
"No way," I told her. "Who would you call? What would you do? Nothing that you can’t do from my phone....
10 Reasons Why Marrying Your High School Sweetheart is the BEST
Once upon a time, I knew a cute boy in high school. He was quiet, serious, smart, and handsome. Three years later (he’d argue it was sooner than that), he noticed me, too. Thus...
Going Gray the Trendy Way: Advice From a Stylist
Confession time: I’ve never dyed my hair. Never highlighted it, frosted it, or anything else. I’d like you to believe that this is because I have some sort of innate confidence in my appearance,...
A Definitive Ranking of the Best Halo Top Flavors
I love ice cream. Love it so so much. I wish I could eat Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food or Blue Bell Moo-llenium Crunch every day for every single meal. I wish ice cream...
A Letter to Food Allergy Parents: I am Thankful for You
Dear food allergy parent,
I see you at new parent orientation. I see you sink down a little in your seat as the teacher tells the parents that this preschool is peanut and tree nut...
Urgent Care: A Love Letter
Dear Urgent Care,
You are the unsung hero of my motherhood journey because my kids ALWAYS get sick on Friday night.
It is uncanny!
I have dragged them into an urgent care on countless Saturday...
Mean Girls Grow into Mean Women: Let’s Do Better
We moved to a new city right after spring break last year. My kids were almost done with their school year, and they had to begin again at a new school. It was particularly...
It Is OK to Be Just OK: A Letter to My Daughter
My sweet girl,
It is the summer before you start middle school. I don’t know how this came about so quickly. It seems like just yesterday I brought you home from the hospital where you...
Kid Funnies to Brighten Your Day!
I love Facebook’s “On This Day” feature. Last week I was particularly stressed as I was trying to get through finals as a grad student while still being a mother of three children.
On Facebook,...
“The Summer List” or How I Limit My Kids’ Summer Screen Time Without Losing...
The days are quickly approaching where my sweet school-aged children will be released from school for the summer!
Home with me.
All day.
Every day.
And a little secret: I love it.
I love not having to set my...
Motherhood Through the Decades: 1970s and the Vietnam War
In honor of Mother's Day, we interviewed a military mom from each of the past eight decades. We enjoyed hearing what has changed and what has stayed the same. From fads to parenting techniques...
No Matter How Commonplace Moving Becomes, There’s Always the Dreaded Week of Lasts
We are moving this week.
I am a pro at moving. We’ve done it enough.
Staged house to sell.
Separated stuff into piles.
Cleaned out closets.
Transferred utilities.
We’re good at it. Moving is easy. But no matter how often...