Midwest Mimi

  • The Legacy of Reading: How Books Build Connection and Resilience for Kids and Adults

    I grew up surrounded by books. Both of my parents were avid readers, and the legacy of their love of reading shaped who I am and how I see the world to this day. My mom, Elaine, was both our homeschool teacher and our church’s librarian. She chose a literature-based curriculum that placed stories at…

  • The Difference Between Canceling and Choosing Rest

    When you live with chronic illness, disability, or even just the daily realities of parenting, plans don’t always unfold the way you imagine. Sometimes, life forces you to cancel. Other times, you make the choice to rest. On the surface they can look the same: you’re not showing up. But the meaning and the weight…

  • What My Toddler Taught Me About Slowing Down in Nature

    When my toddler and I head outside, it’s rarely about covering ground. We’re not hiking trails or racking up miles. For us, it’s usually the walk to the beach, wandering through a grassy field, or time spent playing at the park. These little adventures are where I’ve learned the most about slowing down. Toddlers Notice…

  • When the Plan Changes: Flexibility in a Neurodivergent Family

    Change is hard for most people, but if you live in a neurodivergent household like ours, you know it can hit differently. When the plan shifts, whether it’s a sudden rainstorm canceling a hike or a store being unexpectedly closed, it’s not just a small inconvenience. It can throw off the entire day’s rhythm and…

  • 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. Here’s how the outdoors supports mental health, especially for neurodivergent families like mine. What Does It Mean to…

  • Let Them Get Bored. Let Them Get Dirty. Let Them Explore.

    Why unstructured outdoor play is essential for growing minds, bodies, and hearts As a homeschool mom raising three wildly individual kids, I’ve come to believe one thing very deeply: Kids don’t just need space to learn—they need space to wander. That means space to be bored. Space to poke things with sticks. Space to get…

  • When You’re the Jungle Gym: Touchy Toddlers and Sensory Boundaries

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

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

    When someone in your family is struggling with their mental health, it doesn’t just affect them—it ripples through the entire household. Routines shift. Emotions spike. The energy in your home changes. And if you’re a caregiver, a parent, or both, those waves often crash right into you—while you’re still trying to keep the boat steady…