Danielle Rivenbark

My third kid is going to think his name is "Dang it!"

I have a funny, independent, hot-headed, daredevil of a third child. I’m not sure if it is just the byproduct of being the third child, but he has been a climber more than the two kids before him. It’s possible that he learned everything he knows from them. It’s possible that he just goes missing because he’s the third of four kids. It’s possible that he was just born this way. It’s also possible that I just don’t have anymore “f***s" to give… because, you know, he’s not the last kid. Whatever the case, I find myself saying, “Dang it Steele!!” every time he does something.

How I was reminded to change my attitude about school this year

Remote learning for 9 weeks…. 9 whole weeks… at least! That’s the news we got last month about the re-opening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yes, I know it’s safer for our awesome teachers and families, especially those that are at risk. Yes, I know that bringing the kids into school would both cost a lot more for cleaning and possibly put the kids at risk. Yes, I want to be a good citizen and protect others. However… NINE. WHOLE. WEEKS. TEACHING. AT. HOME. I was terrified. I AM TERRIFIED.

Time is only lost if you forget to live

I know I’ve spent many car rides commuting back and forth to work over the years thinking that I would do certain things “if I only had more time.” Well, here we are. With the pandemic of COVID-19 we ALL have more time. More time to spend time together, organize, exercise, or some other lofty goal we had. I’m sure many of us have chosen instead to binge watch “Tiger King.” I mean I just can’t look away from that train wreck!

How I'm trying not to treat a gift like a burden

I knew that being at home with four kids wouldn’t be easy and I was right. While I’m trying to juggle working and entertaining a 5, 3, 2, and 10 month old I have to keep reminding myself to give myself a break. Here I am thinking that I can have it all, but I can’t possibly be all things to all people, and if I try, I will be the one that breaks.

Looking into the crystal ball for the event industry

The world is crazy right now. With so much uncertainty surrounding the spread of COVID-19 and a collective charge to practice social distancing, we have all started to navigate what this looks like for us personally and professionally. The goal for me is to keep my life as routine as possible. There is something about keeping things in my control that gives me comfort and I know I’m not alone in this.

The autism diagnosis that set me free

As a parent, I never know if I’m doing a good job or not. And I won’t know until my kids grow up and leave the nest. For someone that suffers with anxiety and depression it can feel like so much pressure to try and do everything right. Did they eat enough vegetables? Am I teaching them the right things? Are they social? Did I let them watch too much television? Was I too hard on them? As a result, I constantly fear that what I do and say to my kids may or may not be “the right thing.”

We had a "fiver party" and you should too!

Our oldest celebrated his fifth birthday this month and we decided to throw him a “fiver party”. So what’s a fiver party? I’m so glad you asked. A fiver party is where you ask everyone that attends to bring $5 in lieu of a gift. The parents of the birthday child purchase one big gift in advance and all the money received goes towards one big gift chosen by the child.

Views expressed on this site are that of the individual authors and do not represent the views of the organizations they work for.