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.
19 Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails in Austin
I took my son on his first hike at 17 months old. The trail was very short, but—shocker—I still had to carry him most of the way. I wasn’t much of a hiker pre-motherhood,...
Best Play Date Spots in Austin Where Parents Can Actually Chill
Play dates are great for kids, of course. They provide opportunities to socialize and explore new surroundings. But play dates are important for parents, too. For me, play dates help break up the monotony...
Splash Pads in South and Central Austin
Ahh, summer in Texas. Whether’s it’s 8 a.m. or 8 p.m., it’s brutal out there. My 2-year-old went outside with a freezer pop and had a meltdown because it instantly, well, melted down. I...
The Many, Messy Contradictions of Motherhood
“Will you carry me up?” asks my son.
It’s bedtime, the end of a particularly exhausting day. A day where my time was not my own, my body barely my own. I feel like I’ve...
Day Trips from Austin to Celebrate Your Kid’s Birthday
Birthday parties are fun; chaotic; and exhausting.
For my son’s fifth birthday, we threw our first “real,” non-family party with six of his friends at a mini-golf course. So much planning and purchasing went into...
18 Places to Volunteer with Kids in Austin
18 Places to Volunteer with Kids in Austin | Volunteering and giving back to the community is something I want to model for my children, starting at a young age. Volunteering together is the...
15 Holiday Events in Austin
15 Holiday Events in Austin | We may not have snowy white winters or cozy fireplace weather during Austin’s holiday season, but that doesn’t stop us from having festive traditions. There are so many...
Why You Should Have a Doula at Your Birth
Soon after you get pregnant, you might start putting together your baby registry. You think of all the things you’ll need for diapering, feeding, bathing, and sleep. But in addition to the tangible stuff,...
I’m a “Puddle Parent,” and Here’s Why
Helicopter parent. Snowplow parent. Tiger parent. Jellyfish parent? I’ve never strongly identified with any of these parenting styles, but recently I heard one that I can get on board with: puddle parent. Broadly defined,...
COVID-Safe Outdoor Classes and Activities for Young Kids
After giving birth to my second child in October 2019, I had visions of doing all sorts of outings with her once she was a little older. I imagined we would spend mornings, while...