Category: Uncategorized

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I am very open about being bicultural. I grew up with traditions, foods, and ways of doing things that are different than most folks within my community.

Camping really should be enjoyable as much as possible. Camping with young children is demanding but it gives everyone an opportunity to explore and enjoy nature, individually and together.

It is officially the month of June which means we are just halfway through the year, 2020. I am a total planner and problem solver but the current situation is clearly out of my wheelhouse. Many times, I have felt a bit stuck.

We are going into week 4 of quarantine and just when I think I have this whole quarantine life down, something changes.

Since the beginning of January I have had two international travels and I remember seeing many travelers with masks and using sanitizer more than normal.

My name is Jessica Frederick.  I am so excited to be joining the Pollywog Blog team.

I enjoyed reading the Chicken Soup for the Soul books while growing up. The books were filled with true inspirational stories of hope and happiness. The stories were written by many different people who had faced adversity or had overcome challenges. Somehow, they were able to draw from hope and see the good in the situation. It was inspiring to see how the writers took control of their lives and found good in difficult situations.

It is December and we are in the thick of holiday season celebrations. This is my eighth holiday season as a parent and I feel confident in how I celebrate. To me, focusing on simplicity makes for a more peaceful and joyous holiday season. More importantly, it honors the true spirit of the holiday season by allowing space to enjoy time with our cherished ones.

Have you ever seen the quote, “Change your thoughts and you change your world”?  Well, it’s true. How do we make our brain happy so that we may have a better lens to view life? Through working in the early childhood field and with medical personnel, social workers, therapist, counselors, and behavioral specialists, I have come to know the special effects gratitude has on your brain the science exists.

Three years ago, my son’s preschool class made mini-pumpkin pies. I still admire his teacher for leading the baking project. The pumpkin pie was small, cute, and the smell was both comforting and mouthwatering. Luckily, my preschooler shared some of his little pie with me and I am not sure if it was because my son made it but that little pumpkin pie was so yummy! It made me think that things are to be enjoyed no matter how big or small. Quality over quantity, a good motto to have this holiday season.