Lara Alspaugh
Lara is a mother to three boys ages 22, 20 and 16 and has been married for 23 years. She is a native of northern Michigan but has loved living in the Grand Ledge area since 1996! When she's not running around for her boys she's busy planning vacations, going to the gym or walking with her husband and Labrador Lulu.
How to Stay Organized this School Year
Whether your school year is virtual, in person, or hybrid, staying organized is a challenge when the school year starts. New routines, new schedules and a lot of moving parts (and bodies!) can reak...
Why I Will Celebrate International Women’s Day This Year
International Women's Day was first celebrated by the UN on March 8, 1977. It is a day designed to celebrate women's contributions to society. A day to encourage gender parity and to boost support...
February Is American Heart Month
We all know February is the month for love, did you know it is also American Heart Month? Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, killing one in...
What Every Mom Needs to Know About Burnout
You know the feeling. You are so exhausted your eyes are burning. Finding your keys is a struggle, you've snapped at your kids, your partner, and your best friend. Perhaps you don't feel well...
Ways to Beat the Winter (Pandemic) Blues
Now that the holidays are over and the bright sheen of a new year is (already!) dimming, it's important to find ways to combat the seasonal blues that are so common in the winter....
Simplify the Holidays and Enjoy all of the Moments
There is not much that is more magical than the holiday season, no matter what you celebrate. The pressure to make the holidays perfect can feel overwhelming. I am 100% guilty of feeling like I...
3 Ways to Make Holidays Easier for Kids (And Mom!)
Some of my favorite memories of raising my kids are of Christmas. We always cut a fresh tree, decorate cookies on Christmas Eve, and take a walk in the snow. But, some of my...
What Teens Need From Their Parents as They Head Back to School
Fall and back-to-high-school comes with it a host of challenges in the best of times. Among social pressures and hormone shifts, AP Classes, extra-curricular activities, SAT and ACT prep are all in play. However,...
Anxiety in Teens: What to Look For
Anxiety in teenagers is on the rise. The National Institute of Health reports that one in three teens ages 13 to 18 will be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Furthermore, in the last decade,...
Tips for Connecting with Teenage Kids This Summer
When our pre-teen and teenage kids begin to want to spend more time alone, away from us and with their friends, the shift can be unsettling, especially at first. We worry what their time...