About Jenny
Welcome to Mommy Evolution, a parenting lifestyle blog written by me — Jenny!
I don’t believe in complicated or difficult. Our lives are busy enough. Anything I write about on this blog has to be doable (no Pin fails!). Trust me. I’m no domestic goddess (and wouldn’t want to be, anyway). If I can make that craft or recipe — you can, too.
I also believe that even though parenting can be complex, it should be simple to take steps toward evolving into better parents and people. You should get parenting advice you can use right away and implement!
My ultimate goal is to share approachable parenting insight, tips and tricks to help you run the family and help you continue to grow along with me. I invite you to expand your mind and horizons skills with Mommy Evolution.
Oh. And most people call me Jennifer, but we’re going to become intimate friends, so feel free to call me Jenny.
How Mommy Evolution Began
Mommy Evolution began as a way to share my difficult experience parenting a high-needs kid, but it quickly expanded beyond my own personal evolution into a full-blown Mom Evolution. Mommy Evolution is about evolving as a parent and as a person.
I’m the mama of two boys — Vman and Hbomb. Leave it to my 9yo and 7yo to keep me on my toes. Through their craziness, sweetness and inexhaustible energy, they are teaching me as much about being a person as they are about being a parent.
Early on, we discovered our sons have Sensory Processing Disorder, which I write about on Mommy Evolution and which led me to start the website The Sensory Spectrum. It has been a rough road but one we’re traveling on together. You can read about our challenges on my Sensory Processing Disorder page. In addition, we learned that our older son has ADD/ADHD and Dyslexia.
But I’m not all about being serious. Here are 5 Quirky Things about Me you ought to know!
Awesome, Jennifer! xo Violet
I love your byline and the beautiful picture of your two boys (I hope I’m assuming correctly?!). Thank you for stopping by my blog and for taking the time to comment.
Cool site Jenny! Thanks for dropping by my blog :d
Cool site Jenny. Thanks for dropping by my blog 😀
Hi Jenny, thanks so much for leaving a comment on my blog today. Thanks as well for providing me with a link to your page. I’m sorry, for some reason I thought it was your email address and commented that I would speak to you by email. In any event, I’d be interested in a girlfriend’s perspective on the topic. I am working out the schedule for the posts. I’ll be posting on this topic once a week, I am thinking on Fridays and I’ve got some contributors lined up. Please feel free to forward me your post for review at: iamthemilk@gmail.com
Thank you so much for your interest in the topic!
Katia
Your comment made me smile!
[You always have the BEST crafts!!! But I can’t highlight you every week on the Monday Kid Corner Linky :-)]
Thanks for visiting. Now you’ve put me on my mettle and I’ll HAVE to try to make the Monday Highlights! lol Your boys are at such a cute age, that’s so fun do do things with!
Thanks for the opportunity to see so many great ideas – and to share mine – at your weekly parties.
Noreen — it’s true! I have a couple Blog Crushes and you’re one of them 🙂
Suzanne of Simply Suzannes at Home
Hi Jennifer!
I’m new to your blog and thought I’d take a moment to say Hi!
I can’t wait to see your post/tour on Central Colorado next week!
My family and I are headed there next month for a 10-day vacation, YAY!
Have a great week,
Suzanne
Oh, you’ll love it! Colorado is such an amazing place. Glad to have you as a new reader. Welcome!
Hi Jenny! Your blog is awesome. Looking forward to some great conversations.
Thanks for stopping by my blog’s Facebook page. Sorry it took me a bit to get back to you! You have a great blog, and I’m looking forward to getting to know you here. I’m going to send the link to your other blog to my MIL, who works in our school district with families with children on IEPs, and my brother in law has Autism. I think she will find it useful.
Alena, I’m so glad that you visited and found a great resource for your MIL as well. I started The Sensory Spectrum because of my two boys — little did I know how desperate people were out there to find info. Looking forward to getting to know your blog better, too.
Keep it up Jenny; it’s great to see such a positive outlook on things.
All the best, LLH
Love all of your children’s book suggestions/reviews! Can’t wait to peruse your blog more! I am a children’s book author with my debut picture book due out Fall 2014…would love a review when it’s released if you’re interested! In the meantime, feel free to visit my blog at thislittlebirdie.wordpress.com!
Hi Jenny, just dropping in from the giveaway. Your blog photo, where is that? Looks a lot like where I live on Mississippi Gulf coast.
It’s actually on the gulf in Florida 🙂
Hi Jenny,
I have an amazing son, Benjamin, who we fostered and then adopted before he was one. He was born 2 months early with severe fetal alcohol syndrome, along with battling the withdrawal effects from cocaine, meth, heroin and crack. He also has 2 genetic mutations, both which cause the same neurological damage in the same areas of the brain as the FASD. As secondary challenges, he does have autism, ADHD, OCD, and huge sensory processing challenges. As big an impact as the neurological damage has had, I think the sensory issues have caused him the most pain, confusion, frustration and sadness. I am noticing an increase in his sensory challenges and a decrease in his threshold as he gets older and it just breaks my heart sometimes that I can’t take those feelings away. It feels like no one understands and I was so relieved to read about you. It felt like for the first time, I’m not alone. I’ve never participated in a blog, but I would love to talk or read about other parents’ experiences and feelings. Benjamin is the greatest gift I have ever received and the light of my life. Every day he brings a smile to my face and I want to help him and continue to try and teach him ways to help himself as much as possible. Thank you for listening, Bridget
Bridget — Your note has truly touched me. I started blogging for the very reason that I didn’t want others to feel alone like I did in the beginning. I’m so glad you’re joining my journey here on The Jenny Evolution. (Did you know I also write The Sensory Spectrum?) I look forward to hearing your voice at both places and welcome to our community.
Hi Jennifer,
I joined the sensory group on facebook, but I either don’t have my settings right or I’m trying to post things I shouldn’t? I can reply to others’ posts, but I don’t seem to be starting posts correctly. I don’t mean to say anything inappropriate; please tell me if I am. I really enjoy the group; thanks again for accepting me and Benjamin.
Bridget
Hi, Bridget. Are you referring to this group… http://www.facebook.com/groups/voicesofspd Per the guidelines of the group, I only post questions directed to the members. Because we have more than 5,000 members, I pretty much stick to that for the group. However, members often submit article ideas that I then consider for The Sensory Spectrum.
Hi Jenny,
My intention was not to break the guidelines. Sometimes a humerous or uplifting quote or picture sometimes makes me smile and I thought it might bring a smile to someone else’s. I have never participated in a blog or group, so I’m unsure of even what to post. Is it just questions? Can you explain so I can understand?
I am new to your blog. I came across it while reading info. on Facebook, that my cousin (the teacher) posted. I have a 21 year old son that was diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction in the 5th grade. I see they have new names for it now. He goes to a comm. college now, but is struggling still somewhat. I think it’s the same old issues. I could never find info. on young adults when he was in high school. The OT could not come up with anything when I asked her. Do you have anything that would help me, help him. Anything at all would be appreciated! Looking forward to following you. Moms of young adults with sensory issues still need help and it’s great to know we are not alone. Thanks!
Diane — I can understand that you could never find any info at the time. New info is coming out every day and I feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface about sensory issues. I’m so pleased you found The Jenny Evolution. I also highly recommend you join me at my sensory site — The Sensory Spectrum (www.thesensoryspectrum.com). There is a parent discussion group but it focuses on parents with younger children. Of course, you are more than welcome to join at http://www.facebook.com/groups/voicesofspd Also, I recently started up an adult discussion group for those with sensory challenges that may be a great fit for your son… http://www.facebook.com/groups/SPDAdultSupport
We just found out today that our grandson may be autistic he has a lot of traits of SPD
weve cried buckets and now want to know what we are in for so any helpful advice would be greatly received .Ive seen a diagram on jennifers board but cant find it again to show my daughter in law one of a child and lots of symptoms of SPD where can i find it please
Hi, Shereen. Thanks for reaching out to me. I also run the site The Sensory Spectrum, which is probably why you saw it in my feed for The Jenny Evolution. I’m going to guess you are referring to the diagrams in the following link…. http://www.thesensoryspectrum.com/sensory-processing-disorder-anyway/ Just know that these are not definitive for every single person. Each person presents their own sensory issues in their own ways, depending on if they are hyper or hypo sensitive as well as what senses are specifically affected.
You look SO different in this photo than your FB avatar! Both beautiful but very different! 🙂
Ha. Thanks, Orlena! My short hair was from two years ago. I decided to grow it out and was waiting for a good photo to update…. but not I really think it’s time to update my photo!
Hi there! Just wanted you to know I gave you kudos in a recent post of mine. No need to pass it forward. Just bask in the praise. 🙂 http://wp.me/p4yJo8-b4
Awwww. Thanks for the inclusion! I’m in good company among your list 😀
Love your blog, Jennifer! So inspirational!
Awwww thanks!!!!
Hi Jenny
My grandson has SPD. He goes to OT twice a week and we’ve seen a huge improvement in him.
However my biggest concern is that he doesn’t eat. He is three years old and his diet consists of Cerelac cereal, fish fingers, and chicken nuggets. He won’t even try other stuff and often gags if he has to taste something. The OT doesn’t seem concerned by this, but I don’t think she realizes how bad the situation is. They live in Cape Town, South Africa. I’ve tried to look for someone who does food therapy,but have not been successful. Nor can I find any information in any books or online. He suffers terribly from constipation and has to use medication to help him everyday. He also had candida throughout his body and was on long term treatment for that. Do you know where I can get any help or information on food therapy? I’m so glad I came across your website! Thank you