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Which Way's Up?

Navigating life as a Wife, (Step)Mom, and Armchair Psychologist.

Take My Money. But only 75%.

I will price shop for actual months before pulling the trigger on just about any purchase, big or small. My husband, on the other hand, is a different story. His story starts with “Once upon a time OH MY GOD ENOUGH WITH THE PRICE SHOPPING JUST BUY IT ALREADY!!!!” 

Jyl Barlow competitive, family, marriage, ocd, Romance Leave a comment May 23, 2022 4 Minutes

Parenting: The Humble Brag

Parenting is hard. Why do we do this? No, really. I mean, I know the Hallmark answer...but, really, why?

Jyl Barlow Anxiety, Blogging, competitive, Daughters, family, marriage, Mental Health, ocd, parenting, sons, stepkids, stepmom, teens Leave a comment May 16, 2022 3 Minutes

(Step)Mother’s Day

Being a stepmom is a choice, not the fulfillment of a childhood dream.

Jyl Barlow marriage, parenting, stepkids, stepmom Leave a comment May 9, 2022 3 Minutes

Our 12,000 Children

If you’d told me ten years ago that, in a decade, I’d be married with three beehives…well, I might have believed the beehives part, but that’s not really the point now, is it?

Jyl Barlow Attendants, Beekeeping, Comb, honeybees, Pollinators, Queen Bee, stepmom, Top Bar Hive 2 Comments May 2, 2022 6 Minutes

We aren’t paying for college (you don’t have to either).

We aren't paying for college. We have never had "cover all costs for higher education" on our list of must-dos. We aren't interested in borrowing from our own future to fund our children's (adult) present.

Jyl Barlow Class of 2024, college, Daughters, family, parenting, Retirement, sons, stepmom, teens Leave a comment April 25, 2022April 25, 2022 4 Minutes

Holy Sauce Packets.

Ah yes, that explained why the sauce packets were lined up like little soldiers waiting for battle on his leg.

Jyl Barlow family, marriage, stepmom Leave a comment April 18, 2022 6 Minutes

A Tale of Two Boys and Too Many Chicken Nuggets

All ready to vacation...and, wait, the kids are sick? Like, REALLY sick? FML.

Jyl Barlow parenting, sons, teens, vacation Leave a comment April 11, 2022 6 Minutes

CarolinaDookMaggedon

The truth is, I can’t actually remember when I fell in love with Carolina. But the basketball gods have blessed me and I am here to answer the call.

Jyl Barlow Blogging, stepmom 1 Comment April 2, 2022 5 Minutes

Lent Me Your Ears

It’s always about this time, during the Lenten season, that I start checking the calendar for an end date. Is it over yet? Am I done? You’d think I was an actual Catholic.

Jyl Barlow marriage, ocd, parenting, stepmom, teens Leave a comment March 28, 2022March 28, 2022 4 Minutes

My (2nd) First Gymnastics Meet

I’ve been to endless gymnastics meets as a competitor and a coach, but as a normal person? Why wasn't I expecting the circus like atmosphere? And what had I put my parents through?

Jyl Barlow competitive, Gymnastics, marriage Leave a comment March 21, 2022 8 Minutes

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Love this Blog? Me too. So much so that I thought, "Why not write a book?" Coming soon, essays on mom-ming from the most unqualified (step)mom ever.

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