Gretchen Pierce
Gretchen is a former communications manager turned stay-at-home mom to son Shepherd (Dec. 2016) and daughter Rosemary (Oct. 2019). She grew up in Minnesota and the D.C. area but is so happy to call Austin home, even in the summer. Gretchen and husband Ryan also have two high-maintenance fur babies, Hank and Gracie. She is a wannabe minimalist who enjoys tennis, creative projects, lake time, and spending time outdoors with her kids as much as possible.
Splash Pads in and Around Austin
No matter what the calendar says, the temperatures outside are telling us that summer is here. Which in Texas means making a beeline for any place that has shade or water, hopefully both. Thankfully...
Parents, It’s Okay to Grieve the Small Pandemic Losses
My daughter was five months old when the country shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I was finally feeling the newborn fog beginning to lift and slowly settling into life as a mom...
Favorite Diverse Board Books Featuring Faces of Color
As part of my commitment to raising race-conscious children, I’ve been diversifying our bookshelves—purchasing and checking out books from the library that feature faces and characters from all different races and ethnicities. I want...
How to Encourage Independent Play in Your Children
Back when I was a new mom, I thought I had to play with my baby all the time. Even if my son was content, I felt guilty when I left him playing on...
Best Glamping Spots for Families in the Texas Hill Country
Confession: I love the outdoors, but I hate the idea of camping with my kids. I hope I’ll change my mind when they’re older, but right now the thought of sleeping (or more likely,...
Packing Away the Baby Chapter
Some old burp cloths almost made me cry today. I spotted them, tucked away in a basket in the living room, and realized I don’t need them there anymore, ready to grab at the...
Best Spots to See Holiday Lights In and Around Austin
In a year when we could all use a little extra holiday magic, a lights display is the perfect way to be festive and stay socially distant. Many Austin traditions are returning and even...
The pandemic led us to couples therapy & here’s what we learned
The pandemic led us to couples therapy & here’s what we learned. When my husband and I were expecting our second child, I read some advice (I’ve long forgotten where) to couples adjusting to...
I Want My Kids to Be Race-Conscious, Not Just Kind
When my son was six weeks old, I wrote him a letter for his baby book. “I know that you will grow up to be the kind of person the world needs,” I wrote....
14 Favorite Eco-Friendly Products
I recently made a resolution to reduce the amount of waste we’re producing in our house, particularly single-use plastic. I have a long way to go on my journey to zero-waste living, but I’ve...