Caffeine is AWESOME...

by Pavette

And he shall be called "Road Rage."

This is what happens when Mommy plays Legos.

Note his $100 on the dash, for coffee refills.

Our New Look

by Melissa

Not quite a year ago, I started this blog as an outlet—for my parental frustrations as well as my professional drive to keep writing, writing anything at all. Here's an excerpt from that original "About" page, which shall be kept for posterity:

inevitably, some of the most poignant times – when we remember why parenting is a joy – are when we're all doubled over in giggles over something that would make our single friends look at us with a pitying 'you've gone nuts.' they have no idea that it's the sanest we've felt in a long harried time. remembering the carefree parts of being a child by celebrating them with our own keeps the crazy away.

this blog is a compendium of light-hearted reminders to enjoy our kids and cherish the fleeting years we have with the silly stage – before they turn into sour teenagers.

Not quite a year later, you've noticed a lot of "guest" posts from a dear friend of mine, Jesikah, and as of yesterday, another dear friend, Pavette, who are writers in their own right—as well as super mommas with the healthy dose of humor that's needed for this parenting trip. In other words, they've got the silly = sane philosophy down.

So I'm not waiting for some one-year anniversary of reflection. In the midst of potty training a 2-year-old (oh, how I hate poop), trying to jimmy-rig a clown costume for my 5-year-old (oh, how I hate clowns), and increasingly filling naptime hours with paid work (oh, how I hate bills but love paychecks), I am going to take all the help I can get with this lovely endeavor that I think is worth continuing. And, quite simply, I'm going to call this blog what it already is: a community effort!

Welcome to the new silly = sane, home of Melissa, Jesikah and Pavette—and, who knows, maybe some other contributors down the road! Check out the new About tab up top to learn more about our writers.

Incidentally, all you writing parents out there (and we do mean daddies, too) are always welcome to submit a guest post for consideration. Email me at sillyissane@gmail.com.

About this blog

Parenting children sometimes requires acting like them. That's the idea behind silly = sane, a blog that recognizes that remembering the carefree parts of being a child—by celebrating them with our own—is what helps keep the crazy away. Over the years, this blog has shared parenting strategies that work, thoughts about poop and burnt dinners, recommendations for picture books and music that keep everyone happy—all with a healthy dose of humor.

Updated June 2020

This blog is written by...

Melissa... I am a mother to two splendid young ladies. On this parenting journey, I've been continually reminded how awesome it is to be a kid (and, as an adult, to just act like one). I started this blog when my daughters were much younger, if equally rambunctious (see the old photo at right and the original About post). A freelance writer and journalist, I continue to work from home to focus on these two, the oldest of whom is now a teenager and taller than me (and happy to remind Mom about both facts... every... day...). When they were young, being silly was key to survival. In the sarcastic teen years, it's still true. Ultimately, this blog is an on-again, off-again outlet to share the parenting journey as well as a way for me to simply keep writing when other projects stall. For me, writing is a personal passion that, along with being silly, is my sure path to staying sane.

You are welcome to submit your own guest posts or ask questions; reach out to sillyissane@gmail.com.

Past contributors

Jesikah is a writer/teacher mom of three spirited children each styling an epic personality. Good thing, too, as she is always up for an adventure! Whether it is creating stories, geeking out on board games, endlessly planning her garden or making a huge mess in the kitchen, she is known to face parenting with a good dose of humor and mythic nerdiness—the essential ingredients to becoming the Geekiest Mom on the Block, a title she boasts with pride. She is now a full-time fiction writer. Check her out at jesikahsundin.com.

Pavette is the stay-at-home mom to three wonderful children. They attempt to peacefully coexist in rural Kitsap County using cooking, crafting, gardening and a lot of humor. Many a Pinterest idea has been executed by Pavette, often with results that would likely be shunned from the Pinterest community due to non-conformity.

Some of our older posts may contain affiliate links to recommended books and other items. Because, hey, if you're buying anyway... Learn more of the legal mumbo-jumbo on the disclosures page.

Dinner Prep: A poem that can be a rap

last week it was the 2-year-old's poop stuck to the bottom of my shoe (hurrah, potty). today, it's getting over a stomach bug (hurrah, potty). it's a case of the Mondays people. and that is my disgusting introduction to the first post from our latest contributor and supermom, Pavette! (a round of groans, please!) learn more about Pavette—and a new approach for this blog—tomorrow... once i'm back on some semblance of a schedule. for now, i'm mentally preparing for tonight's dinner to simply be edible. (last week, my kids got broccoli... just broccoli... at least it was the veggie!)

by Pavette

It’s 5:30, you better be aware,
The atmosphere has changed, there’s a shift in the air
Daddy sends a text, he will not be expedient
That’s a real bummer, since he’s bringing the main ingredient.

You start the rest of dinner thinking all will be well,
When it’s 5:45—thus begins the hell.

The 2-year-old has to potty, you say “Run, hurry, fast”
But alas she doesn’t make it, her bladder did not last.
So you pull out the carpet cleaner while she sits on the pot.
Is this fun yet? Oh no, I think not.

Back in the kitchen working on dinner some more
Holding onto the baby, she was fussing on the floor.
Something doesn’t smell right, you take a big whiff.
The baby’s dirty—off to change her in a spiff.

What’s this? A blow out, oh no!
Poop up her back, but dinner was almost a go.
Finally she’s changed, you preheat the oven.
When into the kitchen come your 5-year-old of lovin’.

He’s looking for attention, and picks up the oil
He pretends to drink it—making a foil
You freak out worried that it will spill
He pouts and cries, breaking his will.

At 6:15 Daddy sashays in
And you open with “Darling, where have you been?”



"Don't Worry!" image provided via pressurechief_redux