Once upon a time, I had some “non-negotiables” for parenting and motherhood. Then I had kids. That’s how the joke goes, right? That absolutely nothing can prepare you for motherhood and all the ‘pivots’ that come along with raising children. 

I had done it. I’d figured out my baby daughter’s schedule. I followed the wake windows as recommended by some parenting site. Since I figured I had a solid two hours before she would need another nap, so off to Mom and Baby yoga we went. The class began with a gentle reminder from the teacher that she understood we were all moms with young babies, and if there was crying or anything, we all understood. We could just take a break and rejoin the class when we felt ready. 

I made about five yoga moves before my Little Miss started squalling. “I got this,” I said to myself and checked her diaper. Clean. I tried dangling a few toys over her; they distracted her for all of a second. And so it went for what felt like an hour but was only a few minutes. 

I left the room with her to rock her, and when we returned to class, she was still squalling. The yoga instructor gently placed a hand on my tense back. “How about you try again another week? I’ll make sure you get a makeup class.”

The words were kind and I know she most likely didn’t mean it, but I felt dismissed. 

Within seconds of the walk home, resting in her stroller, Little Miss fell asleep. So much for the recommended two-hour wake window. 

It was only then that I gave myself permission to cry. The tension in my back and shoulders released as I wiped the tears dripping down my cheeks. Somehow, by what felt like a miracle, Little Miss stayed asleep while I transferred her from the stroller to the crib. 

Despite what the parenting books might say, there is very little you can plan in raising babies and kids. But sometimes we feel like we need to shut this place off, not talk about it, hold it close, as if that’ll make it easier.

But it doesn’t. It’s one of the reasons I started my blog, www.OopsAndDaisies.com, about juggling the moments we wish we could forget with the moments we cherish the most. Parenting is hard, and I wanted to create a space where we could live life “zoomed out” and share not just about the joys but the hard stuff, too. It’s also one of the reasons I started Where Daisies Grow, where I dive into the joy of the writing and creation process. 

This writing community is growing out of a similar desire: to create a safe space and platform for other moms who love to create and tinker with words. Plus, ever read a “PSA” from a mom on social media about how you may hear her yell through the open window if her kids aren’t listening to her? 

That’s why we’re called “Open Window.” We encourage you to be your full, messy self. Be honest. Be vulnerable. Be real…. without fear of judgement. 

Welcome to “Open Window.” I have so much planned for this little corner of the internet, and I hope you decide to join us. 

Stay tuned for more from author Liz SanFilippo Hall.