Start Where You Are

You do not need a big yard or a full plan to get started. In this region, you are working within USDA Zones 5b to 6a, with a typical last frost between late April and early May.

If you are new, keep it simple:

• A raised bed or a few large containers

• A mix of vegetables and flowers

• A spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight

If you have gardened before, this is your chance to refine:

• Try a new layout or rotate crops

• Add one or two new varieties you have never grown

• Upgrade your soil with compost or fresh mulch

A good garden does not start with perfection. It starts with planting something and building from there.

What to Grow Around Here

The Midwest growing season gives you more options than you might think.

Easy vegetables for most families

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Cucumbers

• Zucchini

• Green beans

Fruits that feel rewarding

• Strawberries

• Raspberries

Flowers that bring it all together

• Zinnias

• Marigolds

• Sunflowers

• Coneflowers

Herbs that actually get used

• Basil

• Mint

• Chives

• Parsley

For experienced gardeners, consider adding:

• Cut flower rows for bouquets all summer

• Trellised crops like pole beans or vertical cucumbers

• Succession planting of lettuce or herbs so something is always growing

The goal is not to grow everything. It is to grow what your household will actually use and enjoy.

Make It a Family Thing

Gardening works best when it is shared. It gives everyone a role without needing to force it.

A few ways to involve all ages:

• Let each person pick one plant to be theirs

• Rotate watering instead of assigning it to one person

• Turn harvest days into something simple like making a salad or arranging flowers

• Give older kids or teens a section to manage

Even people who are not initially interested tend to get pulled in once things start growing.

Timing It Right

Timing matters.

• Early spring: Start seeds indoors or plant hardy greens like lettuce and spinach outside

• Late April to early May: Begin planting more outdoors as temperatures stabilize

• After Mother’s Day: Plant tomatoes, peppers, and other warm weather crops

Weather can shift quickly in this region, so stay flexible and avoid planting warm weather crops too early.

Level Up Your Garden

If you already have beds or a routine, focus on making it easier and more efficient.

• Add mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds

• Install a simple drip hose or watering system

• Start a compost bin for kitchen scraps and yard waste

• Create defined sections for vegetables, herbs, and flowers

You can also think beyond function:

• Add a small seating area near the garden

• Plant flowers for cutting and bringing inside

• Mix herbs or vegetables into existing landscaping

Keep It Low Pressure

Not everything will grow perfectly. That is part of it.

What matters more:

• Using herbs or vegetables you grew

• Seeing others in your household engage with it

• Having a reason to step outside and check on something

Start small. Adjust as you go. Add more next season if it makes sense. That is how a garden becomes something you return to each year.

Mom to Mom team contributed to this article.

A modern grandmother’s answer to “it takes a village.”

I used to hear people say, “It takes a village,” and I would nod along like I knew exactly what they meant. It sounded comforting. Familiar. Like something wise women had always said.

But somewhere along the way, I started to wonder — what village?

Because if it really takes a village, a lot of families today are doing their best to raise children without one they can easily see.

What does that phrase even mean anymore? Maybe it once made sense when families lived closer together and neighborhoods functioned like extended family — when neighbors stopped by without it feeling strange, and help showed up with a knock on the door instead of a carefully planned text message.

I don’t know that we actually want to go back to some imagined version of the past. Life changes. Families move. But it’s hard not to notice that somewhere along the way, we became incredibly connected… and strangely alone at the same time.

There was a season when my husband would come home from work, look around at a house that was a complete disaster, notice me standing there with five small children, and quietly wonder what I had done all day. From where he stood, it probably looked like I had been eating bon bons while chaos unfolded around me.

I remember finally answering him with a sigh, and maybe even a small hint of ironic triumph:

“Well… today I showered. And I kept the kids alive.”

At the time, it felt like survival. Looking back now, I think it was also the tail end of a shift I didn’t fully understand while I was living through it. We still had pieces of the village then — neighbors who knew our names, older women who offered advice face-to-face, kids drifting between yards without formal arrangements. It wasn’t perfect, but it was there.

And then, slowly, things changed. Families spread out. Schedules filled up. Life got louder. Busier. More curated. Playdates started needing calendars. Advice moved from front-porch conversations to late-night scrolling. Independence stopped meaning healthy growth and started sounding a little too much like doing everything alone.

As challenging as that season was, I wonder now about my daughters as they raise their children in a world that feels so checked out and self-involved that the idea of a village can seem like a distant memory. They are strong, capable women. They love their children fiercely. But the weight they carry often feels heavier — not because they are weaker, but because fewer hands are reaching in naturally to share the load.

The truth is, I don’t just observe this season from a distance — I’m still living pieces of it myself. Every time I take my adorable but slightly feral grandsons out in public, I find myself doing the same dance so many young moms know well: counting heads, redirecting wandering hands, negotiating snacks like an international diplomat. And my daughters? They’re the ones standing in the Walmart checkout line doing the slow mental inventory: We didn’t come for slime, three candy bars, or a mystery toy that appeared somewhere between produce and paper towels. Somehow small humans possess the unique ability to shop without money, permission, or eye contact — and you only discover it when the total flashes across the screen.

Not long ago I watched a young mom in a parking lot wrangling a small parade of children into car seats. She moved with steady competence — one hand guiding a toddler, another buckling a preschooler, diaper bag slung over her shoulder like a badge of honor. I felt that instinct rise up — the urge to walk over, smile, say something encouraging.

And then I hesitated.

As I stood there, I wasn’t just watching her — I was remembering myself. I could almost feel the weight of little bodies leaning against my legs, hear the chorus of questions, and sense that familiar mix of exhaustion, frustration, and fierce love that followed me through every grocery store trip when my own children were small.

I stood there longer than I probably should have, keys in my hand, watching her work through buckles and backpacks like a seasoned air-traffic controller. Ten years ago I might have walked right over and said, “You’re doing a great job.”

But today there’s this quiet question that creeps in: Will I seem intrusive? Will she think I’m judging? Will I become one more stranger offering opinions she didn’t ask for?

Somewhere along the way we stopped assuming encouragement would be welcomed. We started second-guessing kindness like it needed a permission slip.

Maybe we hesitate because modern parenting feels like a carefully curated performance. Everyone is tired, everyone is trying their best, and nobody wants to be the person who accidentally becomes “that lady from the parking lot.”

The village still matters, though, because humans need each other. Technology may be able to organize our schedules and answer our questions, but it cannot replace the warmth of someone who shows up in person.

Children raised around multiple generations learn things no program or app can teach. They learn where they come from. They learn empathy. They learn how to relate to people who are older, younger, different.

Of course, not everyone lives close to extended family anymore. That part is real. But maybe rebuilding the village doesn’t mean recreating the past exactly. Maybe it means expanding our idea of who family can be — the neighbor who becomes honorary grandma, the friend who shows up consistently, the younger family walking alongside us.

So what would it actually look like if we stopped hesitating — even just a little?

It probably wouldn’t be dramatic. It might look like complimenting another mom’s patience instead of silently admiring it. Offering to return a grocery cart while someone wrestles a toddler into a car seat. Becoming the house where kids know they can grab a glass of water without an appointment.

The families I see rebuilding community aren’t waiting for perfect circumstances. They start small. A shared meal once a month. A group text that says, “I’m at the store — anyone need milk?”

And maybe the real shift happens when we stop waiting for help from the village of the past… and start learning to build a new one.

Because how will we ever push back against the cynicism that keeps us isolated if we continue to hesitate… and then walk away?

Maybe building the village starts when we stop entertaining our children constantly and start inviting them into real life — helping cook for neighbors, carrying chairs, setting tables, learning to notice when someone else needs a hand.

These moments don’t look dramatic. They won’t make perfect pictures. But they give children purpose, keep them grounded, and give them a role in something bigger than themselves.

Maybe we’ve misunderstood the phrase all along.

Maybe it doesn’t take a village to raise a child.

Maybe building the village is what shapes a child… and the generations that follow.

Key Takeaways

• The village has not disappeared, but it looks different today

• Modern life has made us more connected and more isolated at the same time

• Many families are carrying more without natural support systems

• Small, everyday actions are how community is rebuilt

• Encouragement is often withheld out of hesitation

• Children benefit from multi-generational and community connection

• The village can include neighbors, friends and chosen family

• Rebuilding starts with simple habits and consistency

• Inviting children into real life builds belonging and purpose

• Building the village shapes both children and the generations that follow

As seen in the March / April 2026 issue of Mom to Mom

Fast dinners and heavy snacks for sports season survival

There’s a very specific kind of chaos that comes with sports and activity season. You’re leaving the house at 4:45, someone can’t find a shoe, dinner is…unclear, and suddenly it’s 8:30 p.m. and everyone is starving.

This is not the season for complicated meals. It’s the season for portable, filling, and forgiving.

Here’s your go-to list of quick dinners and heavy snacks that actually hold kids (and you) over, plus a few social accounts worth following for ideas and inspiration.

Heavy Snacks That Eat Like Meals

These are the MVPs when dinner is happening…in the car.

Snack Boxes (aka DIY Lunchables)
Protein + carb + fruit. Think: turkey roll-ups, cheese cubes, crackers, grapes. Done.

Peanut Butter Banana Wraps
Spread, roll, slice. Add honey if you need a win that day.

Greek Yogurt Parfaits (to-go jars)
Layer yogurt, granola, fruit. Toss in a cooler bag and call it dinner-adjacent.

Cheese + Crackers + Salami Packs
No prep beyond opening and arranging. High return for low effort.

Hard-Boiled Eggs + Fruit + Muffin
Simple, filling, and surprisingly effective between practices.

Quick Dinners You Can Pull Off Fast

If you have 10 to 20 minutes (or planned ahead slightly), these save the night.

Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
Grab a chicken, shred, add tortillas and toppings. Zero stress.

Pasta Salad with Protein
Make once, eat for two nights. Add chicken, chickpeas, or both.

Sheet Pan Quesadillas
Build on a tray, bake, slice. Feels like you tried harder than you did.

Crockpot Meatball Subs
Set it earlier, forget it, win later.

Wrap Bar Night
Lay out tortillas, deli meat, veggies, spreads. Everyone builds their own.

Job title / company: Channel Manager, meter.com

Family snapshot: Divorced mom of 2 children, Luke and Elin

Education / credentials: Received my bachelors degree from Northern Illinois University and hold several certifications with top technologies companies.

Professional background: With over 24 years of experience in the technology industry, I have built a career centered on driving impactful outcomes in security and networking. I have held key roles with leading organizations such as Fortinet and Palo Alto Networks, where I developed deep expertise in cybersecurity solutions, enterprise networking, and strategic customer engagement.

Most recently, I joined Meter, a company redefining how organizations procure and experience technology by prioritizing simplicity, performance, and measurable customer outcomes. In my current role, I focus on serving Education and Government clients, aligning innovative infrastructure solutions with their unique operational needs and long term goals.

Beyond my professional work, I am an active participant in several Women in Tech groups throughout the Chicagoland area, contributing to mentorship, community building, and advancing diversity within the industry. I also dedicate time to volunteering with organizations such as Junior Achievement and Habitat for Humanity, supporting initiatives that promote education, economic empowerment, and community development.

Q&A

What drives you? Why do you do what you do?
What drives me comes down to two main things. First, my family. I’m motivated by the desire to provide for my children and give them opportunities to experience life in meaningful ways, just as I have. That includes traveling to different states and countries, exploring new cultures, and truly taking in what local communities have to offer. Second, my professional purpose. I take pride in contributing to society through my work, especially in a predominantly male industry.

What’s a decision you’ve made recently (or not) that reflects who you are now, not who you used to be?
Two of the most defining decisions in my life have shaped both my professional path and my personal growth.

First, I made the decision to leave a well established technology company to join an emerging startup as one of its first 120 employees. Being part of building a brand from the ground up has always been a dream of mine. The experience has required immense dedication, continuous learning, and resilience, especially when facing setbacks. It has pushed me to embrace failure as part of the process, adapt with new strategies, and collaborate closely with a team to create something meaningful and impactful.

Second, on a personal level, I went through a divorce about two years ago, which required me to redefine life for both myself and my children. While divorce can be an intimidating and emotional experience, I prioritized making decisions that were in the best interest of my family. This period challenged me to grow, to put my well being first, and ultimately to become a stronger mother and a more present, supportive colleague.

How has your definition of success or fulfillment shifted over time?
My definition of success has evolved over time, especially after becoming a parent. Early in my own journey, I was focused on climbing the corporate ladder and believed that professional achievement alone would bring fulfillment. However, having children shifted my perspective in a meaningful way. Success for me is no longer defined solely by career progression, but by the life I’m able to create for my family. I’ve come to believe that there isn’t a perfect or universal work life balance rather, it’s about intentionally designing a life that aligns with what matters most to you.

For me, that means being present. I want to be the mom who makes their lunches, shows up to their sporting events, and is actively involved in their everyday moments, while still pursuing a career that I’m proud of.

What’s something you do differently now at work because you’re a mom?
Becoming a mom has changed the way I show up in the everyday moments. I make a conscious effort to slow down and truly take them in, knowing my children will only be this little for so long. When they hug me, I hold on a little tighter.

I’m intentional about the kind of presence I bring into their lives. With my daughter, I want to help raise a strong, confident young woman, so I spend time sitting with her, listening to her talk about her day, her classes, and everything in between. With my son, I make space for connection in other ways, like tossing a football together and being part of the things he enjoys.

What boundary are you actively protecting, even when it’s uncomfortable?
One boundary I am intentionally protecting is my inner peace. As someone who has naturally been a “yes” person and strives to make everyone happy, I’ve learned that I cannot be everything to everyone, especially in a professional setting.

I’m becoming more mindful about where I give my time and energy, and I’m learning to say no when something doesn’t align with my priorities or well being. This shift has allowed me to be more present and effective in the areas that truly matter. My circle of friends may be small, but it is deeply meaningful. I’ve also grown closer to my family than ever before.

What’s one work habit, expectation, or rule you’ve let go of?
One work rule I’ve had to let go of, especially as a single parent, is the expectation around the hours I put in. There was a time when I would work around the clock, attend every onsite meeting, and hop on a plane at a moment’s notice without hesitation.

Over time, I’ve realized that this approach isn’t sustainable for the life I want to lead. I’ve learned to set healthier boundaries and to lean on others for support. Trusting my team and sharing responsibilities has not only helped me be more present for my children, but has also made me a more effective and balanced professional.

What kind of support has mattered most for you to keep working?
I don’t think I could balance my career and be a present, engaged mother without the deep support of my family. They are my foundation. When I need them, they are always there, whether it’s stepping in to help or simply showing up for me emotionally.

On the days when things feel overwhelming or don’t go as planned, they remind me of who I am. They ground me, encourage me to know my worth, and reassure me that I am enough.

What helps you feel like yourself when things feel loud or overwhelming?
I’ve come to truly value my alone time as a way to reset and recharge. Whether it’s sitting with my thoughts, watching a good movie with a glass of wine, or simply enjoying the quiet, those moments allow me to reconnect with myself.

In a world that often feels busy and chaotic, I’ve found that silence can be incredibly therapeutic. It gives me the space to reflect, process, and find balance so I can show up as my best self for both my family and my work.

What’s one piece of advice you would give other moms navigating work and life?
One piece of advice I would give to other working mothers is that it’s okay not to be everything to everyone or everywhere all the time. What matters most is the outcome you are trying to create for yourself and your children.

It’s okay to be vulnerable and let your guard down. Life doesn’t have to be perfect. Sometimes socks can stay on the floor until tomorrow, and it’s completely fine to order takeout when you’re burnt out from the day.

What do you hope your children learn from you?
I hope my children learn the value of hard work and the importance of being a good person from me. At the end of the day, everything I do is for them.

I want them to understand how deeply loved they are, and to know that if they have a dream, I will do my best to give them the tools, guidance, and support to make it a reality. Equally important, I hope they learn kindness, integrity, and empathy.

What’s one thing you wish more workplaces understood about working mothers?
I wish more workplaces understood the reality many of us face. Traditionally, we are expected to take on the world, but in reality, that’s simply impossible. We show up every day, giving 110 percent at work, and then continue to give the same energy at home.

Having a supportive partner to help balance responsibilities can make a huge difference, but for many, the expectation to “do it all” is still overwhelming. Greater recognition of these challenges in the workplace, not just in words, but in policies and culture, would go a long way toward supporting working parents and helping us thrive both personally and professionally.

To all the working mothers out there: you are not alone. I see you, I feel you, and I am here for you. Your dedication, resilience, and love are noticed and valued, even on the days it doesn’t feel like it.