Hi there,

I’m Jennifer Smith

I live in Austin, Texas, with my husband, our two lively toddlers, and our two equally energetic Corgis. Life is full and beautiful, but it hasn’t always felt balanced.

I worked in education for years, and during that time, I became a certified school librarian and certified Pilates teacher. More recently, I achieved my dream of publishing my first children’s book—a milestone I’m deeply proud of. But even with these accomplishments, something inside me felt unsettled.

Every morning, I found myself rushing my kids out the door, hurrying them off to daycare so I could get to work. Evenings were another race—dinner, dishes, meal prep, bath, bedtime—all on a tight schedule, leaving little room for connection. And then we’d wake up and do it all over again. I started to notice that weekends, no matter how precious, just weren’t enough time to really be present. And if we are being honest, Sundays are just preparation for the following week—cleaning, laundry, groceries, folding—I mean, do Sundays even count? 

It became even clearer when my daughter started having emotional meltdowns. I could see it in her eyes—she just needed more of me. And that broke my heart. She’s only ever known a busy mama, who started her master’s degree when she was only a few months old. I was exhausted, and more than that, I knew my kids deserved a more present, patient, and connected mom.

My husband had been gently telling me since the birth of our son that we could make it work on his income if I wanted to stay home with the kids (Ok fine, it wasn’t so gentle—he was pretty much begging. He has always been a strong believer that babies need to be with their mom in the first few years of life.) But my own stubbornness, my deep need for independence, and the identity I’d built about my work just wouldn’t let me take the leap—until I finally realized that something had to change. For them. For me. For all of us. No, I don’t think this decision is for everyone, and I certainly don’t judge working moms—you all are rock stars! I know how challenging it can be to balance a career and motherhood—but the decision to become a stay-at-home mom was incredibly personal and the right one for me and my family.

That realization is what sparked this blog. I’ve always been someone who needs a creative outlet—it’s part of who I am. But even more than that, I wanted to create a space to connect with other moms who might be feeling the same way. Moms who love their careers and their families but feel pulled in too many directions. Moms who are trying to figure out how to slow down and be present while still holding on to the pieces of themselves that make them whole.

Here, I share what I’ve learned—through trial, through tears, and through small, beautiful wins—in hopes that it might help someone else feel a little less alone.

Welcome — I’m so glad you’re here! ♡