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.
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...
Our Family’s YouTube Detox: Reading the Classics
It was a brilliant Saturday morning, the sun shining, the air warm—just the type of day my kids loved for playing outside. Yet instead of racing out the door, my kids were clumped together...
If I Could Bottle Up Age Four
If I could bottle up age four, pictures of rainbows would always cover my walls. The letter “m” in mom would be big and shaky, the “o” not quite closed. There would forever be...
Yes, I Tell My Daughters They’re Pretty
A couple weeks ago, I was talking with a group of moms when one mentioned she was angry a storeowner had called her daughter pretty.
“We won’t be going back,” she said. “It’s inappropriate.”
I nodded,...
Youth Sports Are Dangerous, Let Them Play Anyway
When my husband’s phone rang, we’d just returned home from a weekend trip.
“Are you watching the Bills game?” his brother asked.
“Just about to turn it on,” my husband said.
“Don’t,” he said. “Someone might’ve died...
Surviving Medication Shortages. My Search for Children’s Ibuprofen
It was a Sunday night after a busy week of holiday travel when my oldest appeared from her bed.
“Mommy, I don’t feel well,” she said.
I felt her head. She was burning up.
Our youngest had...