Month: August 2026

40s

Posted on by Lauren

Your 40s are weird, man. 

Everyone is busy and what consumes each person is different. 

Some of your friends are juggling working full time with raising a family while others are working part time while also caring for their ailing parents. Mix and match, as you will. 

The friends your kids had in elementary school may no longer still be their friends in middle or high school so the friendships you forged with the parents isn’t as easily accessible as it used to be. 

All the while your coping with an identity crisis. Who am I outside of parenthood? Do I still identify with the person I was before? If not, how have I changed and where does that put me now?

Moreover, how do I even make new friends or properly maintain the ones I’ve had for years?

Where do I want to go and how do I get there?

Is who I am becoming the person I am most proud to be? If not, how to pivot?

I find myself constantly reassessing my current state, challenging myself to evaluate whether I’m on the right path. 

What I do know for sure is the importance of authenticity, particularly in the face of an ever growing artificial world. 

I’m in this weird grey area (which I always hate) but I’ve been here before and know that it’s simply a temporary transition space for what’s next. 

I’m approaching the 10th anniversary of this New Leaf Parenting blog so I guess I’ll continue to do what I’ve always done to process: I write. 

Audacity

Posted on by Lauren

It’s finally sinking in. 

My first born is off to high school tomorrow. 

It seemed so far away until it was just around the corner. 

I recognize that Emmett and I are approaching the phase of parenting where everything suddenly speeds up. She’s home and then she’s gone. 

And we’re left wondering, did we treasure it enough?

Did we pause and let it soak through our soul?

Is she going to be ok? Is she ready? Did we parent her well?

I’m overcome with emotion because I know the answers are YES. 

She, nor any of us, may ever feel ready but she’s going to be ok (come what may) because Aurora is a child of great faith. 

I’m the public school teacher but my first born has taught me more than I may have ever taught my students. 

She has humbled me and delighted me. She has made me laugh and cry. But more than anything she has blown me away with her audacity. 

As the first born, she’s had the unfortunate task of paving the way for her sisters. First to grapple with social norms, bus rides and mature friendships. First for us to parent through cell phones, sleepovers and curfews. Onward she trudged through middle school, despite longing for the comfort of her teachers in elementary. And when her three sisters had gymnastics in common, Aurora found her place in volleyball. 

Last year, she picked up the acoustic guitar and taught herself dozens of popular songs, spending hours playing and singing. She joined chorus at school and when the track music suddenly stopped during her first solo on stage in front of hundreds, she laughed and carried on, finishing strong. 

Most impressively, Aurora has brought our family to faith. 

For years, Aurora went to church with neighbors who picked her up on their way. Alone, she showed up, joining the youth group, slowly but surely finding her footing. Emmett and I witnessed this beautiful child blossom into a confident young teen. Her joy was infectious. Her songs became worship.

After a while, we started to wonder what this church was all about. How had it taken such a hold of our child?

So we started to attend. Cautiously, skeptically toes in the water we’re finding our way back to church with our first born to thank. 

Her fearlessness. Her boldness. Her audacity to pave the way is how I know she will be ok. 

My talented, intelligent, gorgeous first born is off to high school tomorrow and while it feels monumental, I have nothing but great faith in her.

Camille Vaughan Photography 2016