As we close the chapter on 2024, we’re taking a moment to look back at some of the standout blog posts from our PMC team this past year.
From thought-provoking insights to heartwarming stories, our writers have delivered pieces that informed, inspired, and sparked engaging conversations. These stories made us pause, laugh, and reflect—moments that truly resonated.
So, grab a cozy seat, settle in, and join us as we revisit our favorites from 2024…
Finding a NEW Love Within Myself
Food is my weakness and always has been.
My mom and dad always pushed my sisters and me to work out and eat healthy (my parents were obsessed with both exercise and nutrition when I was growing up). We definitely participated, but I also think I pushed back a lot because, as a teenager, it was JUST WHAT I DID (insert eye roll to myself).
Now, as a 41-year-old woman, it has come full circle for me. I am married, and I have had two children; my weight has gone UP (a lot) and down (slightly) in my 30s. I decided I was over it!
I have spent far too much time hating the body I am in. I need to find a decade and begin to love my body for what it has done for me.
Read the full post here.
My One Word
Each year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions.
According to Forbes Magazine, only 8 percent of people who make resolutions stick to them after the first month.
Forbes states, “Failing at New Year’s resolutions is so common that there’s even a slew of (unofficial) dates commemorating such failures—some sources cite ‘Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day’ as January 17 while others denote the second Friday in January as ‘Quitter’s Day.’”
Wow!!! What does that say about us as a society? What does that say about me? Are we all just a bunch of quitters?
Upon self-reflection and a road map of unfulfilled New Year’s resolutions behind me, I decided to take a closer look at my failures. I noticed that the vast majority of resolutions I had made were ones steeped in negativity.
Read the full post here.
Choosing Me: How Breast Reduction Surgery Became My Path to Confidence and Comfort
Yet here I was dreaming of having smaller breasts to enjoy simple things like buttoning a shirt that was the size made for my body, rather than one I had to wear because it fits my chest, buying a bra that didn’t have to be special ordered because it wasn’t as common for mainstream stores to carry the larger sizes.
So, after all the years of pushing it away, even with the documentation I had with my primary doctor (for insurance purposes), it was absolutely a medical necessity to have breast reduction surgery.
At the age of 33, I finally decided it was time. My children were at an age where I felt comfortable knowing I wouldn’t be needed by a toddler or missing those little hugs and picking them up. I marked off my schedule for the entire summer (although not necessary!) so I could properly heal and enjoy some extra time with my family while I healed from this surgery.
Read the full post here.
Easter From a Greek Orthodox Mom’s Perspective
While I learned to appreciate all of the richness and meaning woven into Orthodoxy as my understanding grew, it was not until I attended the midnight service on Saturday night of Holy Week (Anastasi) that I truly felt connected to the religion. Then, when I became a mother, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to give my children a good foundation from a young age.
Here are some of the main traditions associated with each day of Holy Week in the Greek Orthodox Church.
My hope in sharing is that you will gain a greater appreciation for the significance behind Easter while also providing a glimpse into a religion that many may not be familiar with.
Read the full post here.
Mad About Mahjong
“Snap, Crackle, Pop” or “Crak, Bam, Dot”?
Are we talking about cereal or Mahjong?
Read the full post here.
Inside Out 2: A Journey Through the Teen Brain and Beyond
With the first Inside Out film, I couldn’t imagine how Disney Pixar could make sense of, much less create entertainment out of, the processes of the human brain.
Within a storyline about a preteen girl’s existential crisis, Disney shook me as a parent and reminded me as a teacher of the impact we all have on each other in the form of childhood “core memories” (a phrase that jumped out of medical textbooks and into the vernacular thanks to the film).
Read the full post here.
From Mom to Mom: Abdominal Surgery is No Walk in the Park
Why is Kate Middleton’s extended stay and recovery following abdominal surgery so newsworthy?
Well, obviously, she’s KATE.
She’s also young and a very active and visible member of the Royal Family. I think it’s safe to say we were all surprised by the news, and perhaps more so by the lengthy period of time that she would be out of the public eye due to her recovery.
But as someone who has gone through a similar recuperation process after abdominal surgery at age 37, I will tell you that it is no walk in the park.
I’m not saying her case is the same as mine, but we are both moms who have people who depend on us, and abdominal surgery is NO JOKE…
Read the full post here.
A Game Changer: The Unexpected Gifts of Football and Friendship
My family is really into football. Like, really into football.
Unfortunately, our oldest son, Kohlton, is unable to play most sports because he was diagnosed with soft tissue cancer when he was two years old. Due to the damage from his tumor and over ten years of chemotherapy, we did not feel comfortable letting him try out for high school football, even though he really wanted to.
Because of his medical history, countless doctor appointments, infusions, relapses, homeschooling, and days of feeling awful, Kohlton has missed out on having close-knit friendships. He has longed for great friends and the chance to play sports.
So, when he started high school and the Milton High School football coach learned of his situation, he found a role for Kohlton and welcomed him onto the team as their manager.
But it’s been more than I anticipated.
Read the full post here.
A Letter to the Daughter I Don’t Have
As I listened to my friends express their deep concerns about their daughters’ body image, I found myself recounting my own struggles growing up (and let’s be honest, still have today as a 40-year-old woman).
We discussed how body image issues are pervasive, often rooted in seemingly innocent comments that can give very young girls a complex about their bodies. These remarks, while often unintentional, are far from harmless.
Each of us shared our experiences—those singular moments when someone said something that forever changed how we viewed our bodies. It was heartbreaking to hear, and even more so to think that our daughters might go through the same thing.
This got me thinking… What would I say to my daughter? How would I ensure she feels beautiful, strong, resilient?
Read the full post here.
When Life Gets in the Way: The Reality of Adult Friendships
I’d like to think it’s the stage of life we’re in—the stage of little kids that require constant attention, the stage of chauffeuring to dance class, the stage of not leaving the house so a naked toddler can be potty trained. The stage of working full time, making time to be intentional with my partner, and taking care of myself.
The stage…of survival.
I’ve been thinking about this survival mode recently, so I unofficially polled my self-proclaimed ‘low maintenance friends’—the people I can text or message without fear of judgment or anger that it’s been a while since we last talked or met up.
And the response was overwhelming: we ALL feel this way.
Read the full post here.
You Can Have Both – Signed, A Working Mom
As a mom who works outside of the home, I think it’s important to remember that our career is important, just like our role at home is important.
It is absolutely possible to have both if you want both.
That is, a successful career and a fulfilling life in motherhood. Now, that doesn’t mean it’s EASY or that every day is perfect. There will be a constant juggling of priorities, and yes, family always comes first.
What it means to me is that other women, other mothers, fought for us to be where we are today so that we can choose to have both should we desire it.
Read the full post here.
