We think of patience as a skill. Something we need to learn and practice. Something that parenting experts can help us with by providing the phrases and scripts to use in those frustrating situations. But you could have the best strategies, phrases, or skills and still react impatiently if you're overwhelmed.

Questions are just your brain being curious. And that's a good thing! It's when you let those questions fester and sit unanswered, that's when you start to question yourself. So if you're feeling doubtful or guilty about anything in your life right now, find the question that needs to be answered and answer it.

When you plan an activity or outing, do you think ahead to the memory it will create? It's kind of like taking a picture to capture a moment so you can have physical evidence to go along with the memory. I love looking back at photos from years past and being reminded of all of the things that we did, the places we visited, and the milestones we crossed. And...I want to remind you that those memories also happen in the little things as well.

What matters is that you're present in THE moments of your life with your kids. That you appreciate life when it's good. And when it doesn't feel as good, you draw on your freeze-frame moments to get you through. Because you recognize that you will come out of it tomorrow, or next week, or next month. And there will be more freeze-frame moments.

As moms, it can be hard enough to be fully present in the best of moments: listening to your child tell you a story about their day or truly getting into a game of hide and seek. So what about the hard moments? When your vacation starkly contrasts what you’d looked forward to for months or your kids fall ill, turning the house upside down?