Midwest Mimi

  • From Vacation Mode to Lesson Plans: Our Homeschool Prep Process

    We just got home from vacation and youā€™d think weā€™d still be unpacking, doing laundry, and easing back into our daily rhythm. And yes, weā€™re doing all of that. But in the back of my mind thereā€™s another clock ticking: the start of a new homeschool year. For us, that means more than just picking…

  • The Part of Vacation You Donā€™t See: Recovery Days After Missouri

    We just got back from our Missouri vacation. Iā€™m so glad we went and I truly enjoyed the time with my family. But hereā€™s the part you wonā€™t see in most travel posts: the recovery days. The first night home, I was asleep by 8 p.m. Yesterday, the day after we got back, I didnā€™t…

  • Accessibility Review of Black Hawk State Historic Site ā€“ Rock Island, IL

    Black Hawk State Historic Site has long been a favorite spot for me. Itā€™s close enough for an easy drive, rarely crowded, and offers that lush, calming greenery along the riverbank that always helps me reset my mind. This park blends history, nature, and family-friendly spaces; and it does so with a fair amount of…

  • St. Louis Zoo Accessibility Review: Tips for a Smooth Visit

    The St. Louis Zoo is one of the top free attractions in the Midwest, and itā€™s an incredible destination for families. But if you or someone in your group has mobility challenges, there are a few things youā€™ll want to know before you go. Admission & Costs to Plan For One of the best things…

  • Owl Creek Park River Access Accessibility Review

    (Formerly Bonehole Swimming Basin) Owl Creek Park River Access (formerly known as Bonehole Swimming Basin) is one of those hidden gems that makes you want to linger just a little longer. We had such a great time here that we actually visited twice in the same week. Whatā€™s funny is that even some locals we…

  • The Sensory Language of Nature

    Some days, talking just isnā€™t how we communicate. Not because we donā€™t have anything to say, but because conversation isnā€™t always possible when weā€™re overwhelmed. In our family, neurodivergence shows up in so many different ways. Each of us is wired a little differently, carrying our own blend of ADHD, autism, chronic pain, depression, or…

  • Why Nature Is One of the Best Grounding Tools We Have

    And why that matters for those with sensory sensitivities or mental health struggles Grounding helps calm the nervous system and brings us back to the present. Nature might be the most powerful (and underrated) grounding tool available. Hereā€™s how the outdoors supports mental health, especially for neurodivergent families like mine. What Does It Mean to…

  • When Youā€™re the Jungle Gym: Touchy Toddlers and Sensory Boundaries

    My toddler treats me like Iā€™m part jungle gym, part couch, and part emotional support trampoline. He climbs me like a treehouse ladder, trust-falls onto me like Iā€™m a trampoline, and hangs upside down off me at any opportunity. And while I love being his safe placeā€”I really doā€”thereā€™s another truth layered under that love:…

  • The Part You Donā€™t See: Living with Invisible Illness

    I wish I could invite people into my body for just one weekend. Not to feel pity, but to understand. Because on the outside, I look like Iā€™m managing. I can make it to a two-night camping trip with my kids. I can smile around the fire, walk slowly to the lake, laugh when the…

  • When One Heart Hurts, the Whole Family Feels It: Staying Grounded Through a Loved Oneā€™s Mental Health Crisis

    When someone in your family is struggling with their mental health, it doesnā€™t just affect themā€”it ripples through the entire household. Routines shift. Emotions spike. The energy in your home changes. And if youā€™re a caregiver, a parent, or both, those waves often crash right into youā€”while youā€™re still trying to keep the boat steady…

  • Rage Hikes and Crying in the Rain: How Nature Holds Space for Big Emotions

    When big emotions take over and even love feels unreachable, we head outside. Nature doesnā€™t judge, correct, or explain ā€” it simply holds space. For our neurodivergent family, that space is sometimes the only thing big enough to handle the storm. Some Days, the Weight Inside Our House Feels Too Big to Hold A slammed…

  • The Calm That Comes After the First 20 Minutes Outside

    Some days, everything feels too loud. The toddlerā€™s crying. My joints ache. Iā€™ve already hit my sensory limit by noon, and we havenā€™t even left the house. I want to cancel the whole day ā€” just crawl into bed and try again tomorrow. But Iā€™ve learned something, over and over again: If I can just…

  • Nature Indoors: How Pets Help Neurodivergent People Find Calm and Connection

    Some days, getting outside just isnā€™t in the cards. My body hurts too much to load the van. The weatherā€™s wild. Or the kids are on sensory overload before we even leave the driveway. But even when weā€™re stuck indoors, we still crave nature. We crave softness, connection, and moments that help our nervous systems…

  • What I Thought Healing Would Look Like (and What It Really Is)

    I used to think healing would be simple. I thought Iā€™d finally get the right diagnosis, start treatment, and feel like myself again. I thought Iā€™d go back to school and finish my masterā€™s in physical therapy. I thought Iā€™d have the energy to keep up with my daughter the way I wanted to. I…

  • 7 Ways Nature Builds Resilient Kids

    Letā€™s be honest: life can be a lot, for us, and for our kids. Theyā€™re navigating school, friendships, big feelings, and a world that sometimes feels way too loud and fast. And on the days when everyoneā€™s melting down (or arguing over who looked at whom the wrong way,) I remember why I keep getting…