Author Archives: Jasmine Ivory

Surrounded by voices, I stand in the crowd,Faces blur by, some laugh, some are loud.But in the space between their words, I findA quiet echo that calls to my mind. Their eyes pass over, not stopping to see,The weight I carry, the distance in me.I reach for connection, but hands slip away,And I wonder ifContinue reading “In the Midst of Noise”

For all the praise we give “me time,” for all the Instagram posts about bubble baths and solo grocery trips, there’s a side to shared custody that no one talks about—the loneliness. Yes, it’s nice to get a break, to breathe without someone asking for a snack or needing help with their homework. It’s refreshingContinue reading “The Unspoken Struggles of Shared Custody: The Loneliness Beneath “Me Time””

Going back to college as an adult with a two year old and another in kindergarten was no small feat. Looking back now, I’m amazed by how much I was juggling at the time. High school had been hard enough, but nothing prepared me for the challenge of college—especially after being out of school forContinue reading “The College Journey: Balancing Parenthood and Rediscovering the Joy of Learning”

It’s been over a decade since I ended my relationship with my older kids’ dad, but somehow, it still feels like we’re stuck in the same toxic cycle. Every time the kids go to his house for the week, I brace myself for the inevitable texts, the criticisms, and the blame game. It’s exhausting, andContinue reading “Co-Parenting Drama: How I’m Navigating the Constant Criticism from My Kids’ Dad, 10 Years Later”

To my best friend. 20 years. It’s crazy to think we’ve been through two decades of life together—through all the ups, downs, and everything in between. We started out as kids, and now we’re navigating the chaos of adulthood, but some things never change: you’ve always been the one who gets it, the one whoContinue reading “Watching My Best Friend Become a Mother Again: A Quiet Strength in the Chaos”

Dedication to My Mom To the woman who has shaped my world, my rock, and my greatest inspiration—this is for you, Mom. You are my favorite person, the one who has shown me what true strength, love, and resilience look like. Through every trial, you’ve been the light that guides me, the constant support thatContinue reading “A Mother’s Journey: The Ultimate Inspiration”

This is a long one so brace yourselves. Growing up, I had two dads. On the surface, that might sound like I had twice the love, twice the support, twice the chances to feel special. But for me, having two dads didn’t mean having two healthy, loving father figures. It meant I had one dadContinue reading “Growing Up with Two Dads, but Never a Father: A Journey Through Pain, Healing, and Realization”

Let’s be real for a second: as a single mom, the idea of dating is almost laughable. The thought of going out on a date when you’ve spent the day in sweat pants with no makeup, no shower and negotiating with your autistic kid about why they have to wear clothes to the grocery storeContinue reading “Dating as a Single Mom (or, More Accurately, Not Dating)”

Raising Moises, my 6 year old son with autism, is one of the most beautiful and challenging journeys of my life. He attends special education at a school out of our district where he receives 6 therapies weekly within the program, all of which are essential in helping him develop the skills he needs toContinue reading “Finding Balance in a World That Revolves Around Moises”

If you’re a mom, you already know: cleaning your house is like trying to hold back the tide. No matter how many hours you spend scrubbing, wiping, or folding laundry, the mess comes back—usually within minutes. And let’s be real: it sucks. But guess what? You’re not alone. Every mom is fighting the same battle,Continue reading “The Endless Grind of Cleaning: Why It Feels Like Nothing Ever Stays Clean (and How to Survive It)”