(aka MamaBookworm)
helping parents of middle schoolers navigate the tween years.
Literacy & learning start at home.
The middle school years can be tumultuous. Parenting tweens can be hard! During this time of rapid growth, relationships, experience, and positive reinforcement continue the foundation built over the elementary years.
My goal is to equip parents of middle schoolers with research-based information and enrichment activities to spark creativity and generate interest in reading and writing to nurture tweens and unlock the potential that stems from the purposeful parenting of this age group.
When you just finished cleaning the kitchen, and you spot your teen eating a Nature Valley granola bar without a bowl 10 minutes later…
I hit peak meltdown mode a few weeks back over the lack of help at home. I was on the brink of listing the house and downsizing to something smaller.
One of my teens asked, “But would we have to switch schools?”
I went full drama queen mode and said, “MAYBE!” and threw in a “Maybe we’ll just move to another state; who knows?!”
Suddenly, our dinner table banter quickly took a nosedive into the funtown realm. It’s like I triggered the apocalypse of dinnertime discussions.
I don’t linger in snits; I get over them quickly. Not 20 minutes later, I was back to cracking the jokes. No one was having it. What can you do?
→ Just me? Do you get overwhelmed with the housework? Like it tidy or a little more free range?
#cleaningstress #goodhousekeeping #moodswingsbelike #memereel #mylifebelike #moodyaf #momlifeunfiltered #motherhoodunfiltered #catmemesforlife #reelfunny #momstruggles #messyhousehappykids #parentinghumor #momhumor #momtoteens #raisingkids #bookmom #readingandparenting #raisingreader
𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤: Melissa Broder’s 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲
“𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.”
I totally dug the main character`s messy, self-deprecating, sarcastic vibes in this story. Seriously, she had me cracking up a couple of times. And can we talk about the desert setting? It`s this hidden gem in fiction that doesn`t get enough love. Broder`s writing is strong. I read somewhere that absurdism is her secret sauce. The highlight for me was the Best Western part omg 😂.
But…
The entire narrative felt like a rollercoaster of bizarre (derogatory) for me. I`m usually all about embracing the weird, but this one didn`t nail the landing. I powered through it, fueled by pure spite. The profound message on grief? Yeah, that sailed right over my head because the self-referentiality got a bit pretentious for me.
Thank you @BookClubFavorites #BookClubFavorites for my #FreeGfit.
—> Last book that didn’t nail the landing for you? Can you think of a book that handles the topic of grief well? Absurdism in fiction - yay or nay?
#deathvalleybook #melissabroder #literaryfiction #litfic #bookreviewers #metafiction #griefstory #darksurrealism #simonandschuster #bookinfluencer #weirdbooks #womenversusthevoid #memorablecharacters #absurdism #bookrelease #newbooksmell #momswhoread #literaturelover #milkfed #threestars #womenwriters #readingallday
Radical self-acceptance is where it’s at, baby 🖤
Hey there! So, remember that reel I posted a few weeks back about the whole mom group situation? Yeah, the one titled “Who Let the Dogs Out” in my pinned reels? It blew up.
It got me thinking about how many folks struggle with the whole fitting-in thing and feel like the odd one out.
Here’s the kicker: What if your uniqueness lies in not belonging to any one group? We all need people, but what if 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 people aren’t 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 people?
Give me someone who is their authentic self, both in real life and online, any day of the week.
I’m part of the 15% of the population wired differently as a Highly Sensitive Person. Only recently have I come to believe that emotional intensity is not a pathology; my whole life history suddenly made sense. I won’t get into the details, but it’s a gift, a superpower. Truly.
Take your pick → What is your gift/s? Do you feel like you present your most authentic self online, or do you hold back?
#loveyourlifenow #radicalselfacceptance #beyourselfalways #thereformatory #readingnook #overthinkers #quotereels #reelquotes #momgroups #struggles #readersareleaders #booklifestyle #wednesdaywishes #literaturelover #litfict #highlysensitiveperson #nuerodivergent #virałreels #quotestolivebyforever
Responsibilities? You mean those things I’ll get to right after I finish this book? 😈
Hide-and-Seek: Adult Edition. When the holiday chaos becomes too much, channel your inner child and play hide-and-seek with your responsibilities.
Kidding. I get the crapola done—most of the time.
I’m one of those people who makes rigid plans for each day. Throw in a couple of curveballs, and I want to shut down or lose my shit. For instance, my kids and husband decided last night would be the time to pull out holiday decor + the tree. Really? At 7 pm when I’m tired AF? My brain struggled to comprehend. Nah, bros. Nah. And yet they went ahead with it…
Take your pick —> if you could have a personal assistant for any task you dislike, which responsibility would you delegate first? Or—you’re helping adapt a book; which book & who is the lead actor/actress?
#imtheproblemitsme #imtheproblem #taylorswiftedits #taylorswiftmemes #itsmehiimtheproblemitsme #procrastinationtips #bookishlifestyle #morebookslessstress #avoidance #twosides #readtheworld #bibliotherapy #mybookstagram #mybooks #bookhumor #reelbook #bookmemesarelife #reelhumor #holidaystress #todolists #distracted
Nah, I’m good. 💁🏻♀️
I’ve seen what’s out there, and I prefer it in here. It’s too bad reading 10 hours a day isn’t an option.
A bookish life is woven of threads of intellectual richness, emotional depth, and imagination. Honestly, it’s solace. I’m so, so good.
This evening, I plan to finish The Reformatory. Next up is either Alex Michaelides’s The Fury or Mona Awad’s Rouge. As a longtime Awad fan, I’m leaning toward Rouge. There are only so many days left in 2023.
What is one benefit you get from having such a rich reading life? Do you feel like you have a solid life balance? One book you plan to finish before the end of 2023?
#lifebalance #readingworld #bookworld #mylifeinbooks #alwaysreadingabook #bookmom #bookmoment #fantasyworld #constantreaders #bookstan #readforlife #imaginationcreatesreality #bookreel #bookreelsofinstagram #reeltrend #annotatingbooks #annotating #homeofficelife #remoteworking #shelfies #livinginbooks #lifebook #dreamersanddoers
Leftovers are for quitters…
Current state of one of my desks + some snaps of the holiday! 🍁
As you can see, I don’t keep my desk (or house) neat & tidy. It’s purposeful chaos, and that’s how I like it. I’m loving our home office facelift, though. If you work remote, you get it. It’s important to have a workspace you feel is productive and cozy.
Despite my exhaustion yesterday, I managed a long walk with a friend & 200 pp of The Reformatory. I have some holiday chores to do, but I hope to finish my current read this evening! Historical horror? We need more of this 🤌🏼
Did you all shop Black Friday? Score any deals? Whatcha reading?
#homeofficedecor #homeofficelife #remoteworklife #holidaytimes #thanksgivingweekend #familyandfood #familymeals #deskspace #bookpiles #tbrpost #momswhoread #readinglifestyle #ireadandiknowthings #thereformatory #blackfridaysales #morebooksplease #gratitudedaily #booklifeisagoodlife #advancedreviewcopies #bookfriendsarethebest #bookinfluencer
“Is your house on fire, Clark?” — Aunt Bethany
Always, Bethany. Always.
This is the kind of caca I get when I ask for holiday gift ideas.
Did my kids make their wishlists like I asked them to do a few weeks ago? We are one for four here. Fine, guess you’re getting socks and underwear.
Back to Thanksgiving…
I’m cooking & cleaning all day. College kid is home. Kids are off. I’m going to pop in my AirPods, listen to an audiobook, and scrub, dust, prep, etc. Good luck to all the other hosts out there. You are true heroes in my eyes.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING 🦃🍁❤️
What are you reading this long holiday weekend? Fave Thanksgiving dish?
#christmasvacationmovie #relationshiphumor #momswhoread #christmaslist #holidaywishlist #memereels #thanksgivingprep #thanksgivingweekend #clarkgriswold #familyfuntime #reelmeme #coupleshumor
I’m fine. Everything is fine.
Where my Thanksgiving hosts & hostesses at…
You ready for the milling about that happens in your kitchen during holidays as you sweat to get that food on the table for all…
My pet peeve. On holiday and every day. No, you can’t have a snack either. I’m making dinner. Damn 😂
Kidding. I’m grateful. So grateful lol.
Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends!
Pet peeve?
#petpeeve #petpeeves #quietrage #silentseething #holidaymeals #thanksgivingday #gatherings #annoyedaf #holidayhumor #holidayhustle #memereel #funnyvid
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