📝 Editor’s Note
They say if you share something publicly it will hold you accountable. You speak it into existence.
Ok, here goes. Before everyone gets too old, I want to do a summer cross-country RV road trip with my family. All of you that have made it a point to never go on a cruise are likely unable to think of anything worse.
But hear me out. Today’s RV are tricked out with all the comforts of home. We love to hike and there are so many great national parks. And it is probably a great way to keep our kids busy and out of trouble during the summer.
Downside is a 50/50 chance my kids hate me and my wife tries to divorce me before we get to Texas. I’ll take my chances.
Without further ado….
Why Cabell?
Cabell and her husband are friends from undergrad and what most people at UVA would call a “power couple.” I was both interested and impressed to learn that Cabell had started a business helping to coach parents. A lot of her content resonates with me, especially as I feel more accountable in how I am doing my share as a father and husband.
Follow her on instagram @strongerparenthood
Self-Description
I am a mom, wife, postpartum doula and couple’s coach obsessed with the the inner workings of relationships. I love a good aperol spritz, Facebook marketplace and tarot cards.
Cabell’s Recommendations
Written in her own words…
Content
To Have and to Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma
If you're a mom, soon-to-be mom, or even just contemplating motherhood, this is an absolute must-read. I've yet to come across a book that captures the less talked-about but almost universal shifts in identity, marriage, and relationships that occur in new motherhood quite like Molly. Plus, she offers some super easy-to-implement advice for navigating the journey.
Brand or Product
I'm a terrible salesperson, BUT I could convince almost anyone in the world to buy a Berkey. I grew up drinking tap water and never thought twice about it until EWG’s Tap Water Database completely turned my world upside down. If you haven’t crossed over into that filtered water life, you need to put your zip code into EWG’s Database.
Well-Being
Relationship Hack: Do bedtime together
My husband and I recently started doing bedtime together 2-3 nights a week. While it's incredibly tempting to divide and conquer, this new routine has completely changed our evenings. Reading bedtime stories and tucking our kids in has become a cherished moment for us as a couple and as a family. Our son's face lights up when he realizes we're reading books together, and there's something about cuddling with our 2-year-old that simply melts away any stress from work or little arguments we might have had earlier in the day.
Gift
This is the perfect gift for anyone with little ones. I own very few things that I would be sad to lose in a house fire, but trust and believe these are at the very top of that very short list. Cowtown takes impressions of your little one’s hands and footprints and frames them in these insanely beautiful shadow boxes. The baby carriers, the clothes, the bottles - they were all super helpful presents, but these shadow boxes will be hanging in my house when I am 80 years old if that tells you anything.
Open
Instagram: @raisingwellkids
Keeping toxins out of the products I use on my two little ones and in our house is super important to me, but sometimes it can be extremely overwhelming and time-consuming. RaiseWellKids does an incredible job providing safer swaps for almost any category you can think of: vitamins, cleaning products, diapers, first aid, etc.
Amazon
The way they use Windex in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" is basically how I use Castile soap. If you're someone who is looking to swap out some of your cleaning products for a less toxic alternative, you can buy a bottle of Castile soap and make almost anything yourself just by adding water. On regular rotation in our house, is Castile dish soap, hand soap, body wash, dog shampoo, produce rinse, and all-purpose cleaning spray.
Plug
Stronger Parenthood is a platform focused on helping couples navigate the ups and downs of parenthood. Follow me on instagram @strongerparenthood for all things related to parenthood and marriage. I also offer 1:1 coaching and group workshops for more personalized support and strategies to improve communication, connection and coparenting. If you are curious or just want to learn more, I would love to chat!
Want to get in touch with Cabell? “Send me a DM! @strongerparenthood”
P.S. from Rambull — If we’ve had a little too much to drink, which these days feels like anything over two drinks, I swear by these Alka-Seltzer dissolvable tablets. With summer coming up stock up on these and throw a few into your toiletry bag or dopp kit. You can thank me later!