Hi. I’m back from my maternity leave.
I hope you enjoyed those 23 guest posts while I was away from this little place (twenty-three!). I loved everyone’s perspective shared on all kinds of topics, from potty training infants, to why dirt is good for you, to why adopting is such a beautiful thing.
I was reminded how much I love this space, what Simple Living Media has become, and how community-oriented we are. Thank you, both to the writers and the readers, for making this a place I love. I hope you do, too.
I’ve been pretty busy, mostly because of this little guy:
On June 11, our family gladly welcomed baby number three, Finn. He was joined by his big sister Tate and big brother Reed, and our life has been a three-ring circus ever since. How did the back seat of the car get so loud?
A refreshing perspective
Stepping away from anything for a good while resets your perspective on the thing; frees you to see your landscape from a new angle. This maternity leave did just that for my relationship with this blog.
I started Simple Mom in February 2008, ironically during the hallowed newborn weeks of my second-born. I wanted a creative space to jot down my thoughts on parenting and home management, and quite unexpectedly, it took off like a rocket.
This was the first time since Simple Mom’s inception that I took a nice, long, much-needed break from writing and editing and designing, and quite delightfully, I was reminded of how much I love this little thing I do.
I want to get back to its roots. I want to be a bit more personal. I want to keep writing on the things that I love — I just want to be a bit more transparent.
In short, it’s important to me that the writers on this blog remain real people here, with real ideas and experiences and faults (they always have been, but I’m not always sure it’s been interpreted that way). I want to make sure Simple Mom stays simple, that it doesn’t unintentionally morph into an archive of useful articles and that’s all.
It’s on a good path. It is. I just want to make sure it stays on it.
This means I’ll be sharing more of me, using my photos, and chatting with you in the comments section.
I’m a wife and mom. A writer. An entrepreneur. A global nomad who’s not quite sure where we’re going to live at this time next year. I like to read, write, be outside, and drink coffee. I miss walking everywhere, and am a bit weary of the American infrastructure that requires so much driving. When I write for this blog, I usually listen to Andrew Bird, St. Vincent, Sufjan Stevens, or Grizzly Bear in the background. Just because I like them a lot.
I’d like to know if you’d like to know more. I’ve told you lots of times that I’m just a regular gal, running a home, parenting littles, and learning new ways to do those things while still thriving with my head above water. Sometimes I do well. Many times I crawl into bed with my knees shaking.
I’m not perfect. I’m right there with you, in the trenches, documenting it with my fingers on a laptop.
What kinds of things would you like to see more of here on Simple Mom? How about on the other SLM blogs I help spin — Bites, Homeschool, Kids, and Organic?
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What a cutie!! Love his name too.
Any chance you could share where you lived abroad? Would love to hear more about the other cultures you’ve experienced.
I might be able to share where we last lived, depending on our current work and moving situation — though I don’t know 100% just yet. So I can’t really say anything at the moment, but it’s not entirely possible down the road.
That said, I would be happy to share more about cultural experiences, so that’s a great idea. Thanks for the tip!
Honestly, I am just such a huge fan of all that is Simple Living Media and I try to give you all “shout outs” whenever I can. I can’t think of a single thing I’d want more of, not yet anyway.
Welcome back and congrats on your newest addition! He is beautiful!
Sofia’s Ideas´s latest post: Magic of the Mundane
Congratulations on the birth of little Finn! A friend pointed me in the direction of your blog about a month ago, and I spent all of my son’s nap time one day reading back through your archives, and just felt so comfortable here! Before he woke, I had added you to my reader. I’ve enjoyed reading the guest posts during your leave, and I’m looking forward to reading your posts from this point forward.
Crystal @ Semi-Crunchy Mama´s latest post: Backyard Camp-out
I’ve already made a comment, but I wanted to add….although I never bake my own bread and I can barely sew (on my list to learn!) I still appreciate all these slow-living/parenting articles that you post. Many of us are too busy to do a lot of this and are busy surviving our days, but it gives me something to strive for and something to try when I do have the extra time! Also, many of us were raised by working moms, and these traditional homemaking skills were not passed on. I dig that you want to be more personal here, but don’t change too much!
Just adding to the chorus of “welcome back!” And I so look forward to more personal insights from you. That’s what made me start hanging around this lovely place from the beginning – YOU! Can’t wait to hear what you have to say.
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Welcome back! I’m sure you and your family enjoyed some much needed time together! I found your blog about 5 months ago and have thoroughly enjoyed all of the posts. I will become a mom in less than a month and I have poured myself over your (and your guest authors’) posts looking for some hints and tips.
I would love to hear more about you. It’s that personal touch to blogs that makes me want to come back and keep reading. I love what you already shared and completely agree that blogging gives one a very unique mode to express oneself.
By the way, I love your choice in music, especially Sufjan Stevens. Big fan.
Nicole´s latest post: rolling back
Congrats on the new addition to your family! Love the name (my son’s as well) and your blog!
Love this! Love your thoughts and love the pic of your beautiful baby boy! Congrats!
I have been a Simple Mom reader for about a year and I do love all the tips and helpful advice, but I have to admit that I’ve missed some of the transparency and personal-ness (is that a word?) that I find on other blogs. As a fellow blogger I totally understand what you are saying that you don’t want to come across the screen seeming like you are super-mom or your kids are perfect or you have life all figured out – I think that is a constant tension that we as bloggers have to fight against. I am excited to read and learn more about you and your family!
Personally, I would love to read about how you manage blogging/working while staying at home with little children, how you built your blog and your brand, and other tips for WAHms who are trying to give the best to both their families and their work. This is a big struggle for me right now, I am having a hard time trying to figure out how to “get it all done.” I think some people are just naturally better at this than others, and it seems to me like you are one of those people, so I’d love to learn from the “best”!
Thanks for Simple Mom and for all the SLM blogs. I *love* them and have learned so much from reading them!
Hi Tsh!
Finn is precious and I’m so glad to hear he is such a good eater…my third is a “healthy” one too and I can not get enough of the rolls on his arms and legs…I’m sure you are also in the can’t stop eating you phase of infant world too!
Many wishes for deep rest when you have a moment of sleep and deep joy just at the sight of your growing family. I simply can’t get enough of watching my three interact and grow together, it’s precious.
Oh and Congrats on the book cover– can’t wait for it to be published!!
Lisa @ WellGrounded Life´s latest post: 4 Little Known Ways to Stay Hydrated
Hmm. I unsubscribed awhile back when Simple Mom became Simple Living Media and felt more impersonal, so I’d be glad to see things go back to their roots!
Things I loved: Daily Docket, articles on everyday home & time management, New Years reflection questions.
Not so much: Relationship advice, parenting advice, the assumption that everyone eats organic and uses cloth diapers.
I hope that helps without sounding critical. Very excited for your third blessing!
Hi Sarah May,
Thanks for your feedback. The intent for SLM from the beginning was simply to be a group of five blogs that, yes, share tips, but does so in a personal way. Simple Mom never intended to morph into SLM, it simply added four sister blogs and became a family.
That said, I appreciate your perspective on it, as it’s good to know what the network seems like from a reader’s viewpoint, even though we never meant it that way. So thanks!
To everyone — Thanks so much for your feedback! And thanks for your congrats — I feel enormously blessed.
Just for the record… Simple Mom isn’t going to change that much. It will still be a practical blog, mostly focusing on tips and ideas to make home management easier and more fun. That’s what the tagline means, anyway – life hacks for home managers.
It will just be more personal and fun. Not so article-y. More or less back to the way it originally was intended from the get-go. Things written from other people, just like you.
And that’s what it sounds like most of you would like, so it’s great to hear! I truly do appreciate you taking the time to give me feedback, so thanks.
Hello there,
I must say your blog has inspired me to start my own recently. Mostly because I read so many blogs and I feel overwhelmed because I’m not so put together. I would love to hear more about the real you, imperfections and all. I’m very interesting in trying to establish a waldorf like home but I’m still trying to maintain contact with my very not waldorf friends and family… balance is key but oh so difficult… any info or help there would be wonderful!
Karly´s latest post: 30 before thirty
Tsh,
We forget how simple and pure your writer’s voice is until you pop back on the scene. I’m excited to hear more personal stories and photos, as I think we moms learn so much from hearing each others’ stories and bopping ideas around informally.
I see the top photo doesn’t have a source – is that your own backyard, too?
Katie
Yep, that’s where we currently live. I don’t know if you’d call it our front or backyard — you enter our place through that gate, and then our house is just to the left of the photo (the car port is in the background).
I guess you’d call it our side yard.
I really love this blog and am so looking forward to getting know you a bit more!
Congrats on your adorable little boy!
Catie´s latest post: Saturday Skinny
Welcome back! He’s precious. I just had my third in March. It was a wonderful transition and he is the best baby ever! I wish you all the best
Hi Tsh! Congratulations–I absolutely love your kids’ names. I subscribe to the newsletter and noticed this article and came by to read. I used to be a pretty faithful reader–I participated in the Animal, Vegetable, Miracle bookclub and was a Simple Kids book club contributor. Within the last six months, I made a pretty drastic decision to stop reading blogs in general, but specifically self-help, health/wellness, or organizational-type blogs. I found myself utterly unhappy with myself, not able to follow through on any of the suggestions I found, particularly on the Simple Living network. Feeling like I couldn’t leave some things undone and focus on a few (ironic, considering one of your main mantras is saying no!). I don’t blame this on any contributors by any means. This is where I’m at in life–young mom, still trying to reach a place of peace with who I am, still learning about who God made me to be. I really struggle not to compare myself to everyone else.
That being said, thank you so much for asking what might be helpful to your readers. I think there are probably a lot of other women in a similar emotional position to me. I would love to hear what you ladies are struggling with as you make some of these changes in your own lives. I’ve noticed that a lot of the Simple Organic ladies emphasize that changes come one step at a time–I need more of that!! What are some of the struggles that accompany these changes. And what do you do when you’re too tired to move? Or you don’t have a single thing to make a healthy meal in the fridge? What are some of the compromises you make on things like food and green housekeeping?
It is typical of me to leave such a long comment
I will leave it at that.
Welcome back Tsh and congratulations on a beautiful little boy. I don’t often comment but I want to thank you for the resource you provide to parents like myself. Also, this space you’ve created has been an inspiration to me as I’ve forged my own path with a blog on dance training and education. So thank you for that, as well. I look forward to learning, watching, and growing as you continue to move forward with Simple Mom and Simple Living.
Nichelle´s latest post: Muscles 101- Comparing muscles to a rubber band might be stretching it…
I’ve only been reading the SLM blogs for a couple of months, but I love the articles and insights. My second son, Nathaniel, was born just three days before Finn, and the transition from one to two has been challenging. Especially since we found out that we were moving to a new country right around the same time Nathaniel was born. Tomorrow we fly out, and start six weeks of “vacation” visiting friends and family all over the U.S. These blogs have been a great reminder to me during this insanely hectic time to keep things as simple as possible and to focus on the things that really matter instead of fixating on the things that are outside my control or not crucial to our family’s welfare at this specific moment.
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Welcome back, Tsh! And welcome to the world, little Finn.
I love the flow here, and the balance among topics. You are amazing at the helm!!! The one thing I’d like more of is to see more profiles of Moms making changes and living simply.
Thanks for all you do!!!!
amy´s latest post: You CAN get you some!
Great idea, Amy! I love that one.
Oh, I like that idea, too, Amy!
Aimee @ Simple Bites´s latest post: Three 3-Minute Chilled Soups
Congratulations and welcome back.
I am another person who has been on the verge of unsubscribing for quite a while. I have been reading your site since the beginning and recommended it to so many friends but lately found myself passing over posts as they felt less relevant, less helpful and less “you”. I felt like you were focused on growing your brand and not focused on providing great content. I will stick around for a second chance and hope I will be forwarding links and sending subscribers your way again soon!!
Hello Tsh, Congratulations on the little cutie & welcome back to blogging!
I found your blog in the fall of ’08 and it really changed the way I approached motherhood. It also inspired me to start blogging, so thank you. As SimpleMom grew and you got busier, I cheered your success, but really missed the personal tone of the earlier days. I’m thrilled to hear you’re bringing back some of that familiar feel.
Looking forward to what’s in store!
all the best,
m
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Tsh not sure if you remember me….but I was the girl back in late 2008 or was it early 2009 that sent you a message regarding your be like the Tortoise post…I stated it was the clincher in our decision to step out, have faith and make the long trek to Southern California….well just wanted to let you know, we have been here a year and it has been more amazing than expected. New doors are opening and life is just plain beautiful for me the hubby 3 littles the dogs cat and turtles. Thanks again for your creative writing and at time awe inspiring posts! Be blessed as you get reconnected.
Hi Tsh, well, I’m a little late to welcome Baby Finn. I’m finally catching up on blog reading myself. Your voice is what makes this blog. Period. Always love what goes on here … even though most is about experiences I’ve grown out of now, I’m on to the college days! Hard to believe. Wanted to say hi!
Sandy
Big congratulations to you! I’m quite partial to the name, given that it’s my firstborn’s!
. I found number 3 an easier transition than number 2. I hope that’s the same for you and that you have had a lovely long babymoon.
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