Samantha Kraus
Samantha is a stay-at-home mom to Lily and Isaac. She is originally from San Antonio, Texas but moved to Iowa when she started attending the University of Northern Iowa. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English and Special Education, and loves the opportunity to mentor other parents in the special needs community. She enjoys knitting, reading, and baking in her free time.
I’m Growing Closer To My Kids During this COVID Quarantine
In the midst of a stress-filled time, I notice that the relationship between my children and me is much stronger than before. I never knew I could grow this close to my kids.
Before...
An Honest View of My Life During Quarantine
This article started out with me trying to share the ways my family has been keeping our sanity in the midst of quarantine. Soon I realized that wouldn’t be a very honest article. We...
I’m Losing Weight this New Year Following Three Simple Steps
My weight loss journey has been full of ups and downs. As any mom can tell you, pre- and post-baby weight fluctuations can vary widely.
With my first pregnancy, I had hyperemesis gravidarium and...
A Letter to My Son As You Become a Toddler
To my son,
Something caught my attention the other day. I suddenly realized that you are not a baby anymore. You are a toddler, and you are becoming a little boy right before my eyes.
It...
The Pros and Cons of Having a Halloween Birthday
My birthday is on October 31st. All my life my birthday has been shared with the happy trick or treaters, and now that I’m an adult, I can more clearly see the pros and...
Life Lessons from my Accidental Pumpkin Plant
Something happened recently that taught me a much-needed lesson.
Lately, I have been feeling as though I can't get all of the things done that I would like, or as if my house will...
Cedar Rapids Moms Neighborhood Series: 4 Reasons I Love Living in Center Point
I moved to Center Point about 3 years ago and came from San Antonio, Texas. It's a huge difference moving from such a large place to a smaller town. But, our family has thrived...
Summer Traveling Tips: Flying with 2 Young Children
Airports are notorious for being a hassle to navigate. From gate changes to delays, traveling by plane is not for the faint of heart-especially with young children. I will be traveling by myself with...
From the Trenches: My Experience As A Special Needs Mom
Like all moms, I loved my daughter and did my best to make sure she learned everything she needed to know. Despite my best efforts, it distressed me to realize around 18 months that...
Reclaim Bedtime! The Nighttime Routine That Works for Us
You know the stereotype: I have young kids, so I must be sleep-deprived to some extent, right? But that just isn’t the case in our household. My kids are 5 years old and 10...