The Mom I Thought I’d Be vs. The One Yelling From the Sidelines
When I was married and dreaming about having kids, I had visions . Beautiful ones. Soft ones. Pinterest-worthy ones. I imagined myself as that mom . The nurturing, patient, intentional kind. I would make memories on purpose. I would teach my kids how to be kind, smart, funny, and independent. I would guide them through life with wisdom and grace. Our home would run like a well-balanced system where everyone helped out, chores were done without resistance, and daily routines-b
Stefanie Cybulski
2 days ago3 min read
The Morning Routine That Is Never Routine
You would think that after doing the exact same morning routine for approximately twelve consecutive years, I would have it mastered. A well-oiled machine. A graceful conductor of breakfast foods and backpacks. A woman who calmly sips hot coffee while her children independently prepare for the day, or as independently as their age allows. You would be wrong. Every single morning feels like a surprise attack. I wake up genuinely shocked that we are once again expected to wake
Stefanie Cybulski
Jan 83 min read
Forty, Apparently: A New Year's Reflection from the Woman Who Swore This Wouldn't Be Her
My twin sister and I turned forty recently. Forty. As in, the age that used to sound ancient when I was twenty-two and eating pepperoni pizza at midnight without consequences. The age where, according to the internet, I should either be “aging backwards” or “entering my most powerful era yet.” I am neither. It’s the beginning of 2026, and here I am—overweight, overtired, overstimulated, and honestly a little over the audacity of everyone else online making life look like a m
Stefanie Cybulski
Jan 64 min read
