Mandy Fernandez
Mandy Fernandez has lived in Pensacola since 2009. She's originally from southeast Louisiana and has also lived in Ohio and Alabama before finding a home in this region. Mandy is the mom of two daughters (ages 15 and 11) and has been married for over 20 years. Mandy is an award-winning essayist and short story writer. She is also the author of Kazoo Makes the Team, the beloved children's book about the Pensacola Blue Wahoos baseball team mascot, Kazoo.
Helping Instill Hygiene Habits
“Why did you just touch your feet while you’re at the dinner table?”
“When is the last time you took a bath? Has it been more than three days?”
“Don’t touch your mouth after you just...
When You’re Crying in the Carline
"Grab a tissue and wipe your face," I said to my youngest daughter while sitting in the morning car line. She was crying.
The drama began a few minutes earlier when I styled her hair....
How I Practice Being a More Affectionate Partner and Parent
My husband and my children are more affectionate than me. For two of them, their love language is physical touch. Therefore, showing love in physical ways comes more naturally to them. My love language...
Take the Dare: Focus on Self-Care
As parents and caregivers, we juggle multiple roles that can often drain and overwhelm us. According to Mental Health America, Americans spend an average of 15 minutes or less a day on self-care. Taking...
Ten Things to Do On (Or Near) Thanksgiving for Easy, Family Fun
What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving? Food, family, and football, perhaps?
Those things are wonderful, but you can make this time of the year even more festive. Here are ten ideas to...
Tween and Teen Crushes – They Crush Us but Teach Us!
Do you like me? Circle yes or no.
Did you ever give or receive a similar note? This historical approach was a straightforward path to a potential relationship.
In today’s culture, teens and tweens interact using...
Let One-Hit Wonders Inspire You to Be a Wonder-ful Mom
I love one-hit wonder songs.
My cell phone’s ringtone is a one-hit wonder, Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve.
If you aren’t familiar with the term “one-hit wonder,” the phrase is used to describe any...
Bikini, Training Bras, and Training Mom
“I want to give you a hug,” my youngest daughter offered me.
I was wiping my tears away on my hands. I had no tissue in my purse.
My kids and I were sitting in Culver’s...
Journal Your Way to Joy
Many of us are familiar with a gratitude journal — the notion of writing down reasons to be thankful on a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual basis. I first learned about it when my...
Rate My Parenting Skills
Have you ever thought of having your children rate your parenting skills? Close your shocked, open mouth and hear me out, please.
I’m not suggesting you give them a comment card to complete and say...