raising the curtins

A simple trip to the DMV for Scarlett’s learner’s permit becomes a painfully relatable mom fail and a reminder that sometimes motherhood is just confidently forgetting the one thing you absolutely needed to remember. Add teenage side-eye, parental guilt, and a very specific path to forgiveness.

Seven days to Ireland, and the most important document in the house is missing. This week, Kristina walks us through the high-stakes scavenger hunt for Vince’s passport and the moment she realized she might not be losing her mind -she might just be highly protected. We’re talking travel stress, unusual calm in the face of chaos, and the ‘extra credit’ work our guardian angels do for us.

At age two, Marina has officially retired her ‘baby’ status and moved straight into her ‘landlord’ era. This week, we’re talking about the wild independence of the fourth child and the moment I realized my toddler views me more as a roommate than a mother. If you’ve ever been ‘bro-ed’ by a tiny human, this episode is for you

Kristina goes back to the bedroom floor where she spent her childhood protecting everyone but herself. This week, she shares a breakthrough from therapy about ‘re-parenting’ the little girl inside and why the survival skill of ‘saving yourself’ might be holding your adult relationships hostage. Grab the tissues; this is an unfiltered dive into the difference between forgiving and truly healing.

I almost ended my 30-year relationship over a double-sided, syrupy lollipop. In this episode, I’m getting raw about the “whoremones” and the reality of perimenopause symptoms that nobody warns you about—specifically, the cold, analytical “Lawyer” that takes over your brain and detaches you from your heart. We’re talking about: If you’ve ever felt like a stranger in your own body or wondered why your marriage suddenly feels like a court case, this one is for you.

Is AI taking over the world? Maybe. But for now, it’s helping Kristina Curtin plan for college, analyze real estate, and save her from the ‘meeting time suck.’ Tune in to hear how to embrace the dark side and make AI your most productive family member.

Vince is like a bomb—usually, he’s just ticking, but tonight he actually caught himself on fire. Between the literal flames and a daughter who isn’t afraid to point out a double standard, our dinner table became a masterclass in resiliency. In this episode, I’m reading through the chaos of the ‘man bomb’ dynamic, the silence before the explosion, and why a little ‘light emotional damage’ might be exactly what the kids need. Pull up a chair (but maybe stay away from the stove).

What happens when a Type A mom who ‘never gets sick’ meets a household full of fluids, boogers, and a 5-year-old Patient Zero? You get the most productive flu week in history. Join Kristina as she navigates the holiday epidemic and finds a rare moment of stillness in the chaos

Watching my daughters date in the age of Snapchat and location tracking makes me miss the old days. Is technology killing romance? I think so. My brain spiral on the subject leds me to a new idea for a dating show.

I usually adore old ladies. They’re bold, unfiltered, and make great cookies. But every now and then, you meet one who’s just… a dick. While out shopping with my toddler, I ran into one of those passive-aggressive grannies—the kind who hides judgment behind a smile and thinks she’s helping.

I tried to make my living room look like adults live here — you know, end tables, matching lamps, maybe a whiff of “HGTV energy.” It actually worked… for a while. Then one lamp met its death by blanket, and the other was taken out by my 5-year-old doing Spider-Man parkour across the couch. Now both are gone and my living room’s darker. I will never live in a showroom — I live in a house of play, laughter, and memories.

Kristina reflects on the emotional whiplash of raising her 14-year-old daughter, Scarlett. From crying in the car after being pushed away at her first dance to soaking up surprise snuggles the next morning, she captures the rollercoaster of parenting teens with humor, honesty, and hard-earned perspective.

Cardboard boxes were great childhood memories for me and I wanted to pass along this tradition of using your imagination with my two younger kids.

If you’re not early, you’re late… but is two hours early a bit overkill? Kristina dives into the mental load of managing a 6-person household, the ‘parent math’ required to get out of the house, and why she refuses to feel guilty about the occasional scheduling snafu.”

Kristina takes Dublin, her unruly dog, to the vet for his shot, only to get more than she bargained for—a stranger asking if she’s single. What followed was a spiral of awkwardness, self-reflection, and gratitude for the marriage she has, even if Vince sniffs his laundry before wearing it and starts a dozen projects he never finishes. With sharp wit, she explores the absurdity of midlife dating, why her empty ring finger gave the wrong signal, and the deep comfort of a decades-long relationship.

When your teen’s back-to-school prep screams “rich sorority girl energy,” you just nod, sip your coffee, and call her your basic girl.

Recounting how my daughter’s 14th birthday went from pancakes to inappropriate in the matter of minutes.

A funny, unfiltered mom blog post on the inconvenient truth of potty training toddlers. Real stories, real laughs, and way too much poop talk.

A reminder that sometimes with bed-wetting kids, all you can do is laugh (after you change the sheets).

Reflecting on how the feminist movement, while empowering in many ways, also made it harder for women who didn’t want to “have it all.” What about the moms who just want to be moms?

This raw, vulnerable post examines the painful irony of trying to protect our kids from screen time dangers while they silently fear the physical ones we can’t shield them from.

When your preschooler asks why her sister can’t sleep with her boyfriend, and you’re not ready for any of it. Welcome to parenting with an age gap.

Good Friday is literally the antithesis to Black Friday. A day of fasting and penance to reflect on the day Jesus was crucified, and my child thought it was a day to score some sweet sales.

Recounting my first trivia night experience.

A bedtime standoff with my 4-year-old over watching heat lightning causes me to reflect on my behavior as a mother.

I used to see my kids as a reflection of me. Like how they looked somehow proved my worth as a parent. But now I know better. They’re not an extension of me. They’re their own people.

My independent toddler isn’t one for morning snuggles. But on this day, she pulled me close and wouldn’t let go—and in that hug, I swear, she told me something without saying a word.

I have a complicated relationship with Scholastic Book Fairs.

School choice in Florida is great but can also cause confusion when your kids play for rival schools.

My 13 year old grape addict daughter gets attacked by her 4 year old sister.

Feeling just meh and wondering if what I am doing for the past 6 years has been a total waste of time.

Parenting gets complicated again when your kid has a serious relationship.

Ever tried passing around sweaty wafers before Christmas dinner? Sounds odd, but it’s an old family tradition I am going to revive.

Watching your child go under sedation hits differently when the past comes rushing in. A routine surgery turned into an emotional gut punch, and I wasn’t ready for it.

From cooking schedules to recipes, meet ‘The Gobble Guide’—my Thanksgiving survival planner that’s part meal prep and part sentimental time capsule. Organized AF, because that’s what we need during the holidays.

My reflection on having a child that the doctors/parenting books always write about. Who knew these unicorns actually existed?!

I didn’t just spend eons recording my own voice to be told I sound like I’m reading Goodnight, Moon… but here we are.

October’s Quiz brings a win for Vince with a questionable prize request.

Me over here still trying to inspire my family with quotes. So far, I’m mostly failing.

How I’m navigating the emotional debris of Hurricane Milton, from anxiety to unexpected moments of normalcy amidst the mess.

Prepping for Hurricane Milton turns into a memorable experience that involves public displays of married arguments and temporary blindness.

After all these years with Vince, I’ve come to accept most of his quirks—except his daily ritual of starving himself to the point of hangriness. Seriously, the man acts like food doesn’t exist until he’s seconds away from a meltdown. In this post, I break down his Gremlins-level transformation from sweet husband to raging beast—all because he skipped lunch again. Spoiler: it only takes one sandwich to turn him back into a lovable human. But until then… duck and cover folks!

Scarlett and I both got served up with some TMI to the ears on an early car ride to school.

My husband has a super power in that he can make anything about sex. Even butter.

The hilarious struggle of watching my husband suppress his anger.

My efforts to inspire my family go unnoticed and it pissed me off. So, I decided to do something about it.

Tense moments of helplessness when I thought my 13 year old daughter was abducted from soccer practice.

My teenager seriously needs to reevaluate what she thinks “hard work” is.

A date night that includes a call from 911 that my daughter choked while I wasn’t home.

When my kid thinks the Dahmer Tapes are funny and I have to decide if that’s a red flag.