Brieanne Hilton
Brie Hilton lives in the Northland is a stay-at-home mom with multiple side hustles in the Northland. Her oldest son, Charlie, is 7 and has his own pet-sitting business and outsmarts his parents at least three times a week. Her youngest, Patrick, is 5 and has cerebral palsy and autism, so she considers herself an expert on navigating the special needs life on way too little sleep. In her spare time (ha), Brie teaches group fitness classes, has a boutique in her basement, naps too much, and actively ignores the piles of laundry on the floor.
Father’s Day for the Fatherless
It can be a little bleak not having a living or present father on Father's Day. Or, let's face it, for the whole month of June. Personally, my father died shortly after my eighth...
Kansas City Spotlight: Ronald McDonald House Charities
Kansas City Mom Collective is highlighting select local non-profit organizations that serve Kansas City's moms and children.
This installment features the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City, an organization dedicated to "keeping families close"...
Why I’ll Never Be Quiet About Miscarriage
The first time I found out I was pregnant was September 10, 2011. I was on a business trip to Toronto for work and I bought a charming digital French pregnancy test that pronounced...
The Task of Finding Myself Again
Summer is waning, the masks are off, and Target is filling up with pencils and crayons and backpacks. As I think about my kids getting on a school bus at long last in a...
Embracing Autism and Listening to Autistic Voices
When my son was diagnosed as being autistic two years ago, I thought I understood what that meant. I thought it meant communication delays, trouble with social interaction, sensory meltdowns, and more. I had...
One Year of Virtual Learning
Back when my oldest son was starting kindergarten, I'm pretty sure I said at LEAST once, "I literally cannot imagine any scenario in which I would choose to homeschool."
Then COVID-19 came into the world...
How to Write a Fabulous (and Eye Roll Free) Holiday Card
When I was a little kid, I was big into having pen pals and making and sending cards. As an adult, this has translated into a deep, slightly irrational love of writing our annual...
My Number One Holiday Life Hack: Outsourcing Meals
Let me start with this: I love holidays. I am the person guiltily playing Christmas music in the car before Thanksgiving. I have themed outfits to embarrass my children. I love sitting around moaning...
Tubie Life: What it’s Like to have a Kid with a Feeding Tube
We recently joined the ranks of families who have children with a feeding tube. We've been very open about this on social media and realized that people have lots of questions they've always been...
Everything I Know about Pandemic Parenting I Learned from the Kansas City Chiefs
Doesn't it seem like a million years ago that the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl? Talk about a whole different world. People packed into stadiums without masks, sharing hugs and beverages, cheering...
I Hate Summer: How We Deal
As we slide into the summer months, I'm overwhelmed by social media declarations of how excited people are to be outside swimming, playing, and barbecuing after a long winter.
I'm happy you're happy. Really.
I know...
Stuck in the Middle with You
When my son, Patrick, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a baby, his doctor lifted his forearm and pointed to a spot exactly between his wrist and elbow.
“This is the middle,” he said. “This...
Supporting the Kansas City Community while Social Distancing
It's everywhere now: social distancing as key to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
It's a good idea. The fewer people who interact, the harder it is for the coronavirus to spread. Makes sense. Count me...
I’m Leaning Out
For the last four-and-change years, I've never seen myself as anything but a working mom. I never had any real desire to stay at home with my two sons. Of course there have been...
Everything I Need to Know about Parenting a Preschooler I Learned From Hamilton
Unless you live in a cave somewhere, you've likely heard of the Broadway sensation, Hamilton. (If not, go listen to the soundtrack, like, now.) I commute with my kids every day, and we listen...
