The Family of One Child

Send us Fan Mail Sirens hit different when your kid is watching and asking a thousand questions. One minute you’re doing a calm fire station tour, and the next you’re seeing firefighters and paramedics move with total focus as they roll out on a real call. That moment is powerful for kids and honestly for us as parents, because it turns “helpers” from a cartoon idea into real people your child can...

Send us Fan Mail That moment when you meet another mom of an only child and instantly click is hard to describe, but you know it when it happens. I call it the “long lost buddy” feeling, If you’ve been craving mom friends who truly get your season, your schedule, and the unique pressure of being the main playmate, this conversation is for you.  I share the questions that helped me most when my dau...

Send us Fan Mail Making mom friends can be all sorts of emotions. You want connection for yourself and your child, but you also don’t want to come off awkward, intense, or out of place. I’m talking honestly about both sides because I’ve lived them, from boldly approaching strangers to quietly staying back with my phone while my daughter plays. If you’re in a new season of parenting an only child a...

Send us Fan Mail That question people toss out so casually, “Are you having another?”, can land like a weight on your chest.  We go on what it’s like to build a village when you don’t have a built-in one. I share some of my experiences when I have walked into rooms where other moms already had their people, their history, and their easy conversations, while I stood there trying to find a way in. W...

Send us Fan Mail The fastest way to ruin a great field trip is to leave the “small stuff” to chance. Bathrooms, parking, payment rules, group size, refunds, and timing sound boring until you are standing at the door with kids who suddenly need to pee and a host who was not ready for your crew. I want you to walk into your next outing calm, prepared, and ready to have fun.  We dig into Phase 2 of m...

Send us Fan Mail Loneliness can sneak up on you as a stay-at-home mom, especially when your friends’ kids are older and your whole day still revolves around naps, snacks, and toddler moods. I share what helped me move out of that in-between space: building a small, positive community by starting with simple activities I already enjoy with my only child, then inviting one or two moms to join us. No...

Send us Fan Mail We share how we built a simple field trip group that helped our only child make friends while we found our own sense of community. We walk through the mindset, practical steps, and gentle routines that turn small outings into meaningful connection.  • starting with the heart behind gathering people and building belonging  • creating Little Local Adventures from stay-at-home life ...

Send us Fan Mail Homework can show up at the worst possible time, right when everyone is tired and you can finally see bedtime. I’m Ruth, and I’m letting you into what homework really looks like in our only-child home: the after-school car check-in, the moments I’m trying not to yell, and the way one worksheet can flip the mood of an entire evening. Our schedule has a wildcard, the barn. We drive...

Send us Fan Mail We face the honest sting of “You’re always tired” and unpack what it means to parent an only child while entering midlife. We trade guilt for grace and share how play can shift without losing love or connection. • turning 50 as a lens on small moments • the exhausting Saturday routine and the ask to play • the heart-hit of “you don’t play like you used to” • only child dynamics an...

Send us Fan Mail Ever sit in a room where everyone’s milestones feel a mile ahead of yours? That’s where our story opens: friends swapping grandbaby cuddles and wedding plans while we’re checking a third-grade backpack and learning the newest dance challenge with sore shoulders and a full heart. It’s a moment that could spiral into comparison, or bloom into clarity about what really matters. We ta...

Send us Fan Mail This is Episode 3 of Season 4, and it begins with a moment I didn’t expect. A single comment from my husband at a celebrity meet-and-greet lit a fuse in my heart: Who gets to inspire our kids first? What started as a simple family outing opened into a deeper reflection on my identity as a newly minted mom to a three‑and‑a‑half‑year‑old, the power of language, and the fierce love t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Family of One, we’re talking about something every “one and done” parent eventually bumps into: how do you build a community for your only child when some people assume siblings automatically fill that role? We get into the honest stuff, the awkward park moments, the “mommy‑friend trap,” the pressure to have another baby, and the big myth that siblings guara...

Send us Fan Mail I talk about the moment I realized my daughter was growing up and how her curiosity about feminine products nudged me toward preparing for the period conversation. I share stories from my own childhood, the experience of raising an only child, and why I wanted my daughter to feel prepared instead of confused. You’ll also hear real comments from other moms and the heart behind The...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Family of One Child, I take a real look at a question some parents of only children hear: “Are only children spoiled?” I break down the myth using comments from moms raising an only child, along with my own experiences raising my 8‑year‑old daughter. I talk about how my husband and I are learning to set healthy boundaries and how we’re teaching our daughter...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to The Family of One Child. In this episode, I dive into the reality of some midlife moms may face: the overlap of perimenopause and parenting exhaustion. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why am I so tired all the time? Is it just me, or do other moms feel this too?” you’re not alone. I share funny, real-life triathlon stories (yes, I did three in my late 30s before be...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to The Family of One Child. Today I’m talking about the heart of parenting one, with love, with strength, and with honesty about the worries that come with it. If you’ve ever wondered whether your child will feel alone later in life, or felt guilty about them missing out on sibling bonds, you’re not alone. These are real, common fears many moms share. But this episode...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Family of One Child, I share our personal journey of choosing to be “one and done.”  I also read comments from other moms, some that resonate with me, and others that offer a different lens. Together, I explore the joys, the worries, and the cultural pressure that often surrounds this choice. This episode is about honoring your own path, tuning out judgment,...

Send us Fan Mail I knew this moment would come, but I didn’t expect it last week. I asked my 8-year-old daughter to hold my hand as we headed into the shops, just the two of us. She replied, “No thanks, I’m not a baby.” It was honest. It was true.  I always imagined she’d hold my hand forever. But reality has its own rhythm. This moment made me wonder: What other little things will quietly shift a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Family of One, I talk about something I didn’t think I’d experience at this stage of parenting: my 8-year-old daughter finding two of my comfiest hoodies and wearing them like they were made for her. I’m 49 years young, a generous size, and honestly thought we’d be sharing hair clips and scarves, not actual clothes. But there she was, cozy and confident in m...

Send us Fan Mail Bula! After a three-week break, I’m back—and in this episode of The Family of One, I share what it was like to travel to Fiji by myself, without my family. I was nervous. Really nervous. Just the traveling part, navigating airports, and stepping into the unknown. But that stretch outside my comfort zone gave me courage and a creative spark that’s helping me keep writing and creati...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Family of One, I share how we’re using chores to build purpose and financial awareness at home. Instead of saying yes to every toy or makeup request, I’ve been learning to say “no” (or “not right now”), and helping my child work toward meaningful goals by earning and saving. It’s a shift that’s teaching both of us: money can be a tool for growth, not just in...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 23 of The Family of One , I share what it’s like being a mom at 49, from the funny moments (like forgetting I wasn’t 32 at work!) to the honest reflections of where I’m at in this season. It’s a lighthearted look at motherhood, aging, and embracing the beautiful chaos of life with an only child. If you’ve ever felt like time is flying or like you’re still 32 in your hea...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt episode of The Family of One , I’m joined by my fabulous sister Maureen, my go-to for parenting wisdom and real-life perspective. Together, we unpack two of the most searched questions parents ask: 1 How do I teach my child to share?   2.  How do I manage screen time? We explore what these questions really mean in everyday life, share our own parenting stories, a...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 21 of The Family of One, I share how our summer break went, from finding a sitter through Care.com last year to what we did differently this summer. I talk about Olivia’s time at the barn, how her watch helped us stay connected while we were at work, and a few tips that made this season smoother and more joyful. If you’re a working parent looking for practical ways to k...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 20 of The Family of One , I dive into some of the top parenting questions people search online, and answer them from my perspective as a mom of an only child. From “How do I get my child to sleep through the night?” to “What are the best ways to discipline a child?”, I share some funny and relatable stories and moments and introduce my very first guest. If you’ve ever G...