When we began the adoption process, the reality of becoming a parent hit me in a way it never had before. It could happen at any moment, and that thought pushed me to reassess who I am and who I want to be as a parent. I immediately wrote down “re-examining myself as a parent” because the idea won’t leave my mind. The prospect of a tiny person watching everything you do, imitating your habits and eventually reflecting pieces of you back into the world forces a closer look. When you do something you’re proud of you think, “I can’t wait to show my child this.” When you notice a habit you wish you didn’t have, you worry, “Will my child pick this up? How can I stop it?”
Today I’m partnering with Acer to share some of these thoughts. They provided one of their Swift laptops for me to try as I navigate work and family life. The laptop has been an invaluable tool as I work to balance being present at home while also running a business that sometimes requires my attention outside of normal hours.
On the work front, I love that Arlo will grow up seeing his mom run a creative business. He’ll get to visit my office and witness a world full of color, costumes, props and projects that started as an idea and turned into a career. He’ll see product design, photography, honest writing and community building in action. That kind of exposure can inspire a child to pursue their own creative interests.
What I’m careful about is how work can intrude on family time. There’s always someone asking for a reply—an email, an Instagram DM, a Facebook message—and I don’t want Arlo to feel secondary when he’s showing me something important to him. Portable tools like the Swift laptop are helpful because I can work where I need to and then close it and put it away to be fully present. When he’s awake and wants attention, I want him to have me, not a screen.
At home, I love that Arlo will grow up surrounded by music. Our house is always filled with singing and dancing, and once we have a permanent space we plan to get a piano so I can reconnect with playing. I’m happy he’ll learn to appreciate traditions and holidays—values that are deeply meaningful to me.
Still, becoming a parent has highlighted two habits of mine I want to change: my food choices and my lack of regular reading. My family has always valued reading—my dad and brothers are avid readers and read to their kids. I can’t honestly remember the last book I finished. I’ve made it a point to read to Arlo every day since he was born, but I also want him to see me reading for pleasure and growth. Reading should be modeled as a lifelong, enjoyable habit, not just something reserved for his bedtime.
As for food, running a business often leaves little time to cook, and that sometimes leads to less healthy choices for both Jeff and me. I’m learning to accept that cooking every meal isn’t always realistic, but I am committed to finding practical ways for our family to eat better. It’s important that I model balanced eating—how can I expect Arlo to reach for broccoli if he only sees me choosing pizza? Establishing healthier habits now will help set a positive example for him.
It’s striking how parenthood makes long-standing habits so much more visible. Children absorb so much, and seeing Arlo take in our routines has motivated me to improve the behaviors I want him to emulate. I’m grateful for tools that let me work efficiently from almost anywhere and then close that chapter of the day to prioritize family time—those extra snuggles mean everything while they’re still frequent.
What qualities are you excited to share with your children? Are there habits you’re determined to break so they won’t follow the same path? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
This post was created in partnership with Acer. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help keep creative projects and small businesses going.