parenting stories | photo j

July 11, 2019 by JiaYing

New Wallingford playground

We went to check out this UH-MAZING new playground in Wallingford for ParentMap! My story is here.

June 24, 2019 by JiaYing

New Surrey Downs Park

The new playground in Surrey Downs is open! Here's my write up for ParentMap.

June 20, 2019 by JiaYing

On TV!

I was on KING5 this morning talking about summer adventures for families! Paul waited patiently off camera. Here's the New Day NW segment:

June 2, 2019 by JiaYing

Another Seattle's Child SHOP section! This month features the two ladies who are building the Expedia of childcare. Also, the art educator at the Frye always has the BEST projects and I got to ask her where she gets her stuff.

June 2, 2019 by JiaYing

Temporary pets

I couldn't handle having extra things to keep alive, so I got rid of all my plants. Pets? Not happening. If you like the *idea* of animals, but aren't ready to commit, I wrote up some ideas for how to get a temporary pet.

Photos from a friend's birthday with a petting zoo!

There are two bunnies on the table. Paul asked me, "How come the bunnies are connected?" Umm, actually the bunnies are sisters. Cotton and Candy.

June 2, 2019 by JiaYing

Mommy makeover

Somehow 8 years as a mostly-SAHM zipped by and I turned into a total slob. I got a long overdue mommy makeover in the name of story research (thanks, ParentMap!). The best was meeting the makeup genius who made me look human again. (Her contact is in the story — the consult is free, and her work is amazing.)

Phone selfie!

Another phone selfie. Whoa, going to tackle all those grays next.

Paul was such an incredibly good boy. I don't know any other 3 year old with half the patience he has. He got to spend some very boring days hanging out with me in the dressing room and makeup counter.

June 2, 2019 by JiaYing

Ballet class

Paul and I went to check out this darling new ballet studio, Tutu School Seattle. The teacher is a PNB principal dancer and a momma! Really, really sweet place. Here's a Q&A for ParentMap about dancing, motherhood and making it work.

May 6, 2019 by JiaYing

Mother’s Day

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday, and here's what Mom REALLY wants.

May 2, 2019 by JiaYing

Shop feature in Seattle’s Child

I wrote the SHOP feature in this month's Seattle's Child. The lead story is about So Suzette's handmade baby bonnets. But my favorite part of the page is the quote from Ms. Beach, our principal and mom of 9, about where she shops: "We have multiple kids. They grow fast and they are hard on clothes. We go to Goodwill every other week. There are color days where that color tag is half off. Other than that, we do Fred Meyer and shop the sales. In my dreams, I will get to shop somewhere super nice one day." Keeping it real! Love it.