vanessav
Born and raised in a suburb of Buffalo, NY, Vanessa moved to the Bronx, NY after college, where she met her husband and gradually migrated north together. Now they reside in Newtown, CT with their three children; two sons (2013 & 2019), a daughter (2016), two dogs - Gracie (2022 lab mix) and Jasper (2026 golden retriever mix), and two cats - Ozzy & Luna (2023 tabbies). A former administrator turned special education consultant & advocate by day; by morning/night, she's a taxi for her kids' activities. In her "free time," she enjoys being in her pool or hiking with her family, listening to 80s/90s hip-hop, watching the Bills game, and sharing sarcastic mom memes with friends. You can follow @mindbridgeed for more!
When the Answer Is Finally “Yes”: Our Journey to an Autism Diagnosis
For four years, I asked every provider the same question: “Could this be autism?” And for four years, I heard variations of:
“She makes...
Family-Friendly Wineries in & Around Fairfield County
The fall days in Connecticut are a beautiful time to enjoy one of the region's local wineries. It’s a fun way to spend the...
Raising Inclusive Kids: Take Action
When raising inclusive children, we need to teach them that kindness isn’t enough. There are some actionable steps to consider. True inclusion goes beyond...
Raising Inclusive Kids: Kindness Isn’t Enough
Let me start by saying: I know your child is kind. You’ve taught them to say “please” and “thank you,” to take turns, and...
Too Much or Just Right? The Mental Load of Raising a Daughter with ADHD
I’ve sat in a lot of meetings in my life—IEPs, 504s, parent-teacher conferences. I’ve read thousands of reports, interpreted diagnostic data, and coached families...
The Best Wings in and Around Fairfield County
Chicken wings were invented by mistake in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. This is Buffalo’s claim to fame, along with...
The Midlife Squeeze
Lately, I’ve been caught in a season of life I never fully saw coming—the one where you’re a mother to young children and a...
Spring Fever: Navigating the Final Stretch
As both a mom and a middle school educator, I know firsthand how the arrival of spring can stir up a unique blend of...
Supporting Your Child with Anxiety: A Mom’s Perspective
As a mom who struggles with anxiety, I understand how overwhelming it can be to balance your own emotions while supporting your child through...
The Best Happy Hour Spots in Fairfield County
Perhaps the saddest part of my research for this post was the number of responses I received along the lines of, “I can’t remember...