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!
Wishing Away the Winter Blues
It’s that time of year again—the stretch of the shortest days where I feel the weight of winter and the pull of time slipping...
The Best Bagel Shops in Fairfield County
As a mom of three energetic kids and a former New Yorker, my bagel adventures often combine a quest for authentic NY-style perfection and...
Embracing the Beauty of Aging: Life, Love, and Growth
As I turn 42, I find myself standing at an intersection of self-acceptance and deep gratitude. Aging, for so long something I was told...
What Our Cheer Team Taught Us About Winning and Losing
I felt proud as I sat in the ballroom, watching our second and third graders perform their routine with all the energy and enthusiasm...
The Reality of After School as a Parent of Children with ADHD
There are no breaks. No downtimes. No days off. Children with ADHD need structure and consistency. They require infinite patience and grace while holding...
Grandparents Are the Best
September 8th is National Grandparents’ Day. While the greeting card companies may have created this as an excuse to sell more cards, I’d like...
Let’s Taco-Bout It! {FCM’s Favorite Taco and Margarita Spots!}
Time to live every day like it’s Taco Tuesday! And maybe a delicious margarita or some sangria to go along with it? This round-up...
A Travel Sports Mom’s Guide to Essential Gear
As a travel sports mom, I’ve experienced blazing sun, torrential rain, and freezing winds while cheering my kids on from the sidelines. Over the...
Explore Fairfield County :: Redding
“Explore Fairfield County” is an informational series that provides a glimpse into the wonderful towns and cities in Fairfield County. Fairfield County is diverse,...
Troop Beverly Hills 2.0
I honestly never thought that out of all my kids, my daughter would be the one to get involved in scouts. My oldest son...