Author Archives: Stephanie O'Farrell

I Started Lent Late. Again.
I grew up Catholic. I attended Catholic school from kindergarten all the way through high school. I literally held the title "religious representative" for my small school's ASB in 7th and 8th grade. ...
Stephanie O'Farrell 15h ago Getty | Kara Gebhardt

Easy High Protein Lunch: Pizza in a Bowl + Video Tutorial
I am in the office five days a week and try to bring my lunch at least four of those days. Not only does it save money but it also means I am less likely to grab something unhealthy just out of conven...
Stephanie O'Farrell Mar 08, 2025

Rainy Day Activity: Leprechaun Traps for St. Patrick's Day! (Includes Video for Ideas)
My daughter and her friends were bored one rainy day on their mid-winter break from school recently. So bored in fact that they liked an idea I had that I never would have thought middle schoolers wou...
Stephanie O'Farrell Feb 24, 2025

How to Stay Motivated and Not Fizzle Out
Only 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days. Less than 10% accomplish their goals (Columbia University). I didn't set new year's resolutions this year. I was jus...
Stephanie O'Farrell Feb 20, 2025 Getty | Portra

National Peanut Butter Day is March 1st - Make These Easy Peanut Butter Balls!
Grab and go snacks that aren't chips or goldfish crackers are a must in my house with two busy middle-schoolers. I typically make these peanut butter balls once a week. I like that the kids are gettin...
Stephanie O'Farrell Feb 17, 2025 Pamela D McAdams

We Don't Do the Easter Bunny And Here's Why
Let me get straight to it- the Easter Bunny creeps me out. For as long as I can remember, I have not been a fan of the idea of sitting on the lap of some giant rabbit. It's always confused me. Do I te...
Stephanie O'Farrell Feb 10, 2025

Getting Ready at the Gym - Top Ten Gym Bag Essentials
If I don't work out in the morning, it is very unlikely that I will get a workout in at all that day. While I don't love waking up at 4:30am, the benefits of getting my workout done for the day before...
Stephanie O'Farrell Feb 03, 2025 Getty | Supersizer

Ten Classroom Valentine's Day Ideas to DIY or Buy
When my kids were in preschool and elementary school, there would be a certain stress looming over me this time of year. The classroom Valentine exchange stress. Sure, it was a small stressor but some...
Stephanie O'Farrell Feb 01, 2025

Tips and Encouragement For Connecting With Your Teenager
It's a weird shift as a parent when your kids hit the teenager stage. Not that each stage doesn't come with some sort of stress and confusion of how to exactly parent though it. When my son was about ...
Stephanie O'Farrell Jan 22, 2025 Getty | No_Limit_Pictures

I Don't Miss The Baby Years
My girlfriends and I were texting pictures to each other the other day of our kids, now pre-teens and teens, back when they were babies and toddlers. It's so fun looking back at those days with their ...
Stephanie O'Farrell Jan 17, 2025