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A Sober and Strong Mom:
Exploring Life Without Alcohol
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A Mother's Journey During the First Few Years of Sobriety
For more current writing after the first few years of sobriety, please visit my Substack page Unshattered Sobriety
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How to be 18 months free from mommy wine culture
This week Evan and I celebrated our 14 year wedding anniversary. It also happened to coincide with my 18 months of sobriety. We spent the...
May 29, 2022
How to grapple with another school shooting
We talked to the kids this morning about the tragic school shooting in Texas. They all had different reactions, and it was hard to talk...
May 25, 2022
How I Survived Another Saturday Night Without Alcohol
Last weekend, we had a party for a friend's 40th birthday. I was really excited to celebrate this person, as she has been such a...
May 20, 2022
Something you may not know about me
Anxiety has played a role in my life since I was a little girl. It is something that I have been dealing with for many years, and I never...
May 14, 2022
I wish I had more Sober Mother's Days
I feel like every holiday brings about moments of self reflection. I think back on how I used to spend this special day when I was...
May 8, 2022
When you get COVID and it reminds you of a hangover
Getting COVID is rather reminiscent of a hangover. Not being able to get out of bed because my head is throbbing and feeling like I have...
Apr 30, 2022
The Lethal Hold of Resentment
“Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” -Malachy McCourt Holding onto a grudge is detrimental to...
Apr 24, 2022
Easter carries shameful reminders of my drinking past
I am not a big fan of holidays in general. I realized yesterday that I have had a dull headache all week, and that is likely because I...
Apr 17, 2022
500 days sober, I did it and so can you
I am 500 days sober today. I happened to open the app that counts my days and it was on 500. I stopped keeping track a while ago, because...
Apr 13, 2022
Sunshine and Sangria - when warm weather makes you crave alcohol
I have been sitting outside this week in the afternoons on our new Adirondack chairs down by the river before the kids come home from...
Apr 12, 2022
How sobriety may change the way you drink in front of your kids
My daughter started wearing my perfume this week. She not only sneaks into my closet and tries on my shoes and all of my jewelry, but now...
Apr 7, 2022
Why Drinking Could be Hurting You
I sometimes need to remind myself, that others might benefit from hearing my story. There is no courage, growth or intimacy without...
Apr 1, 2022
Parenting an 11 year old as a sober mom
Yesterday I received a call from the principal regarding my son's behavior at school. It was an eye opening conversation, and I ended the...
Mar 31, 2022
What propelled my drinking along?
I have had sweaty hands and feet since as long as I can remember. I always used the phrase, "I am an anxious person." I used it as an...
Mar 27, 2022
I have friends and family that see my sobriety as a punishment...
I think that some people in my world still view my sobriety as a problem that I should be ashamed of. They treat me as if I am damaged....
Mar 24, 2022
St. Patrick's Day when you are sober
Yesterday, it occurred to me at one point that it was a big drinking day. Evan reminded me that it was the start of March Madness as...
Mar 18, 2022
How did I used to view sober people?
I happened to look at the app today that calculates how many days sober I am. 470 days. When I think about the last year, 3 months and 13...
Mar 14, 2022
Things you may not know about me
I don’t often feel the anxiety build in my stomach anymore when walking into a room full of people I don’t know. I don’t usually question...
Mar 6, 2022
During all the years I drank, I wish I had known that the truth would set me free
My therapist tells me this a lot. I try to understand what she means, and most of the time I think I am listening to her. Some of what...
Mar 4, 2022
Do you wonder what it is like to vacation sober?
Evan and I took a sunrise hike this morning. We meandered through a sandy path up a steep hill above the ocean, just as the sun was...
Feb 24, 2022
Vacationing in St. Croix
There is nothing more healing than the sounds of the ocean. The way it soothes. Rocks the body to sleep. Stills my thoughts. I find...
Feb 20, 2022
When someone asks if you want a drink
I keep hearing from people all over to keep writing. Keep sharing my story. And at times, it feels as if the only person I am writing for...
Feb 13, 2022
Behind the FEAR of getting sober
In our most recent interview for our podcast, I was talking to our guest about how much fun she has being sober. We talked about how this...
Feb 9, 2022
When my worst fear comes true
My anxiety has decreased so much over the last year of my life. I have learned not to think about worst case scenarios and instead try to...
Feb 4, 2022
"It's all meant to bring you home, to remind you who you are, how to love, and how to never leave again."
- Laura McKowen
A Sober and Strong Mom blog serves as a healthy vessel of discovery.
To return home. To find freedom. To reclaim joy.
Join me in navigating motherhood, parenting and marriage.
Walk along beside me as I wander this beautiful, newly discovered sober life.
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