Your brain bounces between your day at work, what time you need to get each kid to practice, your teen’s missing school assignments, that you haven’t called your mom lately, the load of the laundry to be switched, “What’s for dinner?” and “Why are 3 of my brain-tabs frozen?”
You are raising tweens, teens and college-age kids: the unique parenting phase where everything gets easier…and harder.
We’re finally believing all those “they grow so fast” comments. This is your last hurray with kids in your home and you want to love it.
You’re taking a second look at your career, your hobbies, how to share your gifts and talents.
Parenting grows your faith and then makes you wonder where your faith is.
You long for friendships and deep relationships, but you’re just so busy.
You’d love a quick place to connect and feel encouraged.
Join the hundreds of other women who’ve signed up for Empowered Moms and Kid’s inspirational monthly emails. You’ll look forward to opening them. (Plus, it’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.)
I’m Cheryl and I’m walking through this parenting tweens, teens, and big kids stage with you.
I have three boys ages 17, 15, and 12. (Picture is old, see updated pictures here.) Then, as if raising my own tweens/teens isn’t enough, I go every day to work to spend time with – ready for this? – more teens.
I teach high school and love it! I’ve taught since I was 22 years old. Here’s my quick working-with-teens resume…
- Master’s degree in Educational Leadership
- Math teacher: Alg II, Alg I, Alg 1 Concepts, Algebra II, Honors Algebra II, Algebra II Concepts, Remediation, Basic Math, ACT Prep, Geometry, and Calculus
- Academic & Career Mentor for our E3 STEM program (Mentoring/counseling students)
- Working with businesses/colleges to create career exploration and opportunities for our students
- NCDA Career Counseling Certificate

Then, I started having babies and oh-wow-spinning-world how that changes your perspective. I wanted to stay home, so after my second son was born, I took a leave of absence from my job. For six years. But even during my SAHM season, I still craved teaching. I ran a tutoring center from my home working with teens and parents and education from a different angle.
Education is my thing.
Lessons pop out at me and I can’t even help but shape them to share. It’s like a reflex. It’s weird…but useful. And that’s why I love working on this website.
Through stories, inspiration, and resources, I have two goals with this online magazine for both myself and my fellow moms raising tweens and teens. I want us all to…
Be an Empowered Mom
Our kids grow so fast, but the older we get, we realize, we have grown too – in really cool ways. So much happens on our journey and Empowered Moms and Kids is here for it. We have encouragement through all the ups and downs of mom life for you. Topics include…
Heartfelt Stories
Kids Grow Too Fast
Raising Big Kids Looks Like
Importance of Moms
Building Strength
Ordinary Life
Sports Parents
Miscarriages
Overcoming Perfectionism
Pandemic Parenting
Faith
Prayer
Sacred Moments
Growing
Seeing God in Mom Life
Christian Meditations
Worry
Negative Self-Talk
Healing
When You Struggle
Mom Life
Working Moms
Everyday Mom Life
Joy
Planners and Organization
Self Care
Me-Time
Mindset for Challenges
Goals
Peace
Inspirational Books
Music
Podcasts
Writing
Aging
Gifts
Keepsakes
Photography
Printables
Preserving Memories
Friendships
Home
DIY Home Remodel
Organization
Cleaning
Art
Holidays
Christmas
Valentine’s Day
Mother’s Day
Easter
NYE
Raise Empowered Kids
As I high school teacher of 20+ years, I have a heart for raising big kids. They are in such an awesome stage of life. I know, they can act like teens, but it’s just that: they can act like teens. We don’t take it personally and know they need us now more than ever. Empowered Moms and Kids is here to support moms (and dads) in their parenting journey. Topics include…
Parenting Tips
When Parenting is Difficult
Parenting Regrets
Struggling Kids
Encouraging Big Kids
Kids’ Listening
Growing Kids’ Wisdom
Perspective in Parenting
Anxiety
Summer Planning | Creative Kids
Dating
Raise Kids of Character
Gratitude
Kindness
Family Cleaning
Responsibility
Raising Leaders
Once-a-Month Family Giving Challenge
Family Connection
Grandparents
Communication
Dinner
Movies
Exercise
Loving Your Family
Happiness
Crafts
School
Getting Organized
Motivation
Cocurricular Activities
Reading
Start of School
Middle School Parents
Freshman Parents
Senior Parents
Getting Through May
Booklists
Books for High Schoolers
Books for Middle Schoolers
Teaching Kids Faith
Gifts
Gifts for Teens
Gifts for Teen Boys
Gifts for Teen Girls
Raising Sons
Boy Moms
Communication
Podcasts for Teen Boys
I’d love to stay connected with you.
You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can get encouraging monthly(ish) email in your inbox, by subscribing here.
Thanks for being here,
Cheryl
empoweredmomsandkids at gmail.com
PS – One more important thing…
I write in the spirit of encouragement. I never mean to offend or upset you. If something I wrote did – know that it wasn’t intentional.

Affiliate Links and Disclaimer and Privacy
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Disclaimer: This website is intended for educational purposes only and does not know the specific details of your unique situation so cannot make decisions for you. EMandK’s encourages seeking professional help when necessary. Read the full disclosure here.
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Publications
Empowered Moms & Kids was formerly called Since I Became a Mom.
The Huffington Post:
18 Hours Later and I Felt Braver (For Moms)
To the Mother of All Boys
Why Alone Time for You Is Good for Your Kids
5 Lies We Tell Ourselves
Today Parenting:
(Don’t forget to click “vote up” on the upper left side of my Today Parenting articles.)
Everything’s Been Canceled – but, love hasn’t…
5 Reasons Why A Miscarriage is so Emotionally Painful
Momma, You’re Not Just Exhausted – You’re BEAUTIFULLY EXHAUSTED…
To the Working Mom
Helicopter Parenting {The Good Kind}
Young Mommas, Your Babies Will Grow But Don’t Be Sad
Her View From Home:
Sometimes Late Bloomer Just Need Time
Dear Kids, You Nailed Distance Learning and We’re So Proud of You
Parenting Teens and Tweens:
It’s Hard to Stop When Raising Teens and See The Great Kid in Front of You
International Publications:
Buzzit.No (Norway): To the Mother of All Boys
Mamamia Women’s Network (Australia): To Every Mother of Boys: You Can Count Yourselves Lucky.
The Huffington Post (Germany): To the Mother of All Boys
The Huffington Post (Italy): To the Mother of All Boys
Psychologies (Russia): To the Mother of All Boys
The Huffington Post (United Kingdom): To the Mother of All Boys
Published on Faithit.com
Sometimes I Do My Best Parenting at Starbucks
To the Mother of All Boys
Guest Blogger on:
Made to Mother: To the Mother of All Boys
Inspire Me Mama: Let Your Faith Be Bigger Than Your Fear
Moms Magazine: You are Inspirational
Published in Print:
MomSense Magazine May/June 2009: I Need Friends!
MomSense Magazine March/Apri 2010: Creative Exercise
*MomSense Magazine is a publication of MOPS International. The name has changed and the magazine is now called Hello Darling.
Blog Featured on:
parenting.com – check it out here.
Equipping Godly Women – check it out here.
Beautiful Ashes – check it out here.
Skipping Sideways – check it out here.
The Evil Mommy – Best Advice to Help Parents of Teens During a Pandemic
Our bathroom remodel was featured here on the amazing Remodelaholic blog.