Jackie Nastri Bardenwerper
Jackie Nastri Bardenwerper lives in Fairfield, CT with her husband and three children, ages 10, 7, and 4. She is the author of several novels that encourage tween and teen girls to listen to their inner voice, from saving the family fishing business in ON THE LINE, to following a passion for crafting in SALTED CARAMEL DREAMS, and exposing a friend’s hurtful social media platform in POPULATTI. She is currently working on a new children's book series and a new novel on motherhood. She also shares her own motherhood experiences on her Instagram @jnbwrite. When not writing, you can find Jackie and her family enjoying Fairfield’s beautiful coastline where they love fishing, swimming and sailing.
Bring Back the Landline
About a month ago, I was running errands when my phone rang, and the contact for our landline appeared on my screen.
Immediately, I worried. Our landline was a relic; we kept it because it...
Not All Skinfluencers Glow: On Saying No to Tween Skincare
We were shopping for a back-to-school outfit at an outdoor mall last August when I first noticed my ten-year-old daughter eying Sephora from across the way.
“Look, Mom! Sephora! I love that place!” she said,...
We Changed Bedtime to Save Our Sanity, So Why Do I Miss the Old...
As recently as one month ago, the most common words our kids uttered between 8 and 9 p.m. were “one more.” One more snack, one more story. One more snuggle, one more glass of...
Is Heaven in Our Backyard?
It was a cold winter day when we found Eleanor, one of our two goldfish, hovering toward the bottom of our tank. The discovery was both shocking and expected. Eleanor had been sick on...
Success Isn’t Measured in Votes
One of my first jobs out of college was working as an account executive for a marketing agency in Washington, DC. The job was everything I thought I wanted – a position that kept...
Sailing Into Forty
Last October, I turned 39. The day fell in the middle of a long weekend, so we loaded up our car with duffle bags of sweaters and shorts, bathing suits and fishing rods, and...
Hurray for Pre-K!
During a preschool pickup in late May, my usually bubbly daughter emerged tear-stained and red.
“What happened?” I asked as she ran into my arms, her small body melting into my own.
Her teacher took me...
Reflections From the Frontlines of Camp Mom
To all my friends I haven’t spoken with in two months, I’m sorry. For all the coffee dates I’ve missed, believe me; I wish I could have made them. It’s not my intention to...
Our Unsolved Mystery: The Tale of the Flamingo
If you have any information on this mystery, please write to us by commenting below.
It all started the Saturday before Mother’s Day. The weather was gray, the clouds thick and low and taunting, the...
Has Tween Culture Done More Harm Than Good?
This month, my oldest turns ten. An entire decade old. It’s a big milestone for both of us, and we’ve been doing a lot of talking about growing up. With age comes responsibility, I...