AROUND THE NEST

AROUND THE NEST

Cozy up with blogs from the Riveras on fertility, pregnancy, motherhood, parenting & marriage.

Blog Categories


MARRIAGE

PREGNANCY

FERTILITY

PARENTING

Vanesa Esteban Vanesa Esteban

End-of-Month Reflection: What We Learned & What We Carry Forward

As November draws to a close and December beckons, it’s a perfect time for reflection. Not to shame ourselves, but to honor how far we’ve come. Ask: What helped me grow this month? What challenged me? What will I carry forward? Reflection is the space between seasons—the place where you breathe, note the lessons, rest in grace.

Read More
Vanesa Esteban Vanesa Esteban

Gratitude as Legacy: How Saying “Thank You” Shapes Your Family’s Story

Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard days—but it gives them meaning. Around the dinner table, hearing simple words like “I’m thankful for…”, “I noticed you…”, “I appreciate you…” begins to shape the emotional culture of a home. Over time that culture becomes legacy: the way your family treats each other, the way your children treat the world.


Read More
Vanesa Esteban Vanesa Esteban

The Calm Before the Storm: How the Pause Transforms Your Parenting

When the toddler screams, the teenager slams the door, or your own frustration starts to rise—it’s tempting to respond quickly. But what if instead you paused? That pause is not a sign of weakness or delay; it is a moment of wisdom. In trauma-informed parenting, recognizing that a misbehavior often signals an emotional need means our first act isn’t a reaction—but a pause, a breath, a becoming present. By choosing to pause, you model for your child how to regulate emotions and respond instead of react.

Read More
Vanesa Esteban Vanesa Esteban

Connection First, Correction Second: Building Trust Before Discipline

In many homes, discipline starts with a command: “Stop! Sit down! Do this!” But what if we flipped that script? What if instead we began with connection—an invitation: “I see you, I know you’re upset, I want to help you”—and then brought in correction? When we connect first, correction lands in a context of trust, not threat.


Read More
Vanesa Esteban Vanesa Esteban

The Role of Birth Trauma Counseling in Emotional Healing

Childbirth is often celebrated as a moment of joy and new beginnings, but for many parents, the experience brings unexpected pain, fear, or loss. Birth trauma can occur for a variety of reasons—emergency interventions, complications during delivery, loss of control, or feelings of being unheard in the birthing process.

Read More
Vanesa Esteban Vanesa Esteban

Breaking Cycles: Trauma-Informed Parenting Strategies That Work

Parenting is often described as one of the greatest responsibilities in life, yet few experiences are as complex or deeply personal. For many parents, raising children means confronting the echoes of their own childhood—whether those memories are filled with warmth or shaped by pain

Read More
Vanesa Esteban Vanesa Esteban

How to Strengthen Your Marriage During the Parenting Years

The parenting years are some of the most rewarding, yet they are also among the most demanding seasons of life. With sleepless nights, endless to-do lists, and the daily responsibilities of raising children, it’s easy for couples to place their marriage on the back burner.

Read More
Vanesa Esteban Vanesa Esteban

The Hidden Impact of Perinatal Mental Health on Families

The journey into parenthood is often described as one of the most joyful and transformative seasons of life. Yet behind the smiles, nursery preparations, and celebrations, many families quietly carry a weight that is not often discussed: the challenges of perinatal mental health.

Read More
Amanda Smith Amanda Smith

How to Build a Strong Support System as a New Mom

Motherhood is filled with joy, exhaustion, and many questions, but you don’t have to do it alone. Building a strong support system is essential for new moms navigating this journey, helping to ease overwhelm and create connection.

Read More