Growing up, my life was all over the place. I was primarily raised by my grandparents because my dad wasn’t in the picture, and my mom had her own issues. When it wasn’t my grandparents, it was my aunt stepping in, taking me along on her bus route or having me over for dinner. I’ve never had a good relationship with my mom, and I’ve been no contact with her for five years now but that’s a story for another day.
In my early 20s, I became a young mom. I didn’t have any adults in my life to look up to for guidance. All my best friends were also in their early 20s, figuring out life without kids, so I was learning to parent and be an adult at the same time. It was overwhelming, to say the least.
One memory that sticks with me is taking my daughter to her first soccer game. I saw another mom with a bag of oranges, and I had no idea why she brought them. I was new to the town and completely lost. Growing up, my mom never let me play sports because she thought the parents were too "cliquey," so being a “sports mom” was a whole new world. I ended up googling, “Why do parents bring oranges to soccer games?” (Turns out, it’s to give the kids a quick, healthy snack and hydration boost at halftime.)
That Google search opened my eyes to how much I didn’t know. It made me want to learn everything I could about parenting so I could be the opposite of what I grew up with. I wanted to give my child a safe, supportive environment and become the resource I wished I had as a young mom.
That’s why I joined Macaroni KID: to help parents like me—those who didn’t grow up knowing why parents bring oranges to soccer games or how to navigate life as a parent. I joined to support moms and dads who don’t have a village or a role model to lean on. After 10 years of parenting, I’ve gotten more confident, but I’m still learning every day. And that’s okay. Parenting isn’t about knowing everything; it’s about growing and learning together.
Through Macaroni KID, I want to create a community where we can share tips, laugh at our mistakes, and support each other. I’ll be writing articles about things that might seem like common sense to some but aren’t so obvious for those of us raised differently. Here are some examples of parenting practices I wish someone had explained to me:
- Bringing snacks for the whole team at games (like oranges, granola bars, or juice boxes).
- Making goodie bags for classmates on holidays like Valentine’s Day or Halloween.
- Packing a change of clothes for events that might get messy or wet.
- RSVPing to birthday party invitations.
- Signing up for volunteer shifts at school or team events.
- Prepping for Spirit Week at school (like themed outfits for each day).
- Labeling your child’s belongings, like water bottles and jackets.
- Bringing folding chairs or blankets for outdoor events.
- Navigating the school drop-off line without causing chaos.
Parenting is a journey, and none of us have all the answers. My hope is to create a space where we can share what we’ve learned, laugh at our struggles, and celebrate our wins. If there’s something you’ve figured out the hard way or a tip you’ve found helpful, I’d love to hear it. Let’s grow together and make parenting a little easier for everyone.
If you have anything to add to the list or ideas for expanding our Macaroni KID SW Boston community email: katlynj@macaronikid.com
