Hey, I’m Emma.
I’m a mum. I’m tired. And most of the time, I have no idea what I’m doing.
If you’re here, I’m guessing you don’t either. That’s why I started MumStrife—so we can figure this madness out together.
This isn’t a place for perfect parenting hacks or “how to raise polite, screen-free children” nonsense. This is for real mums. The ones running on cold coffee, half-eaten toast, and sheer willpower. The ones who adore their kids but also sometimes fantasize about a solo trip to the supermarket just for the peace and quiet.
Sound familiar? You’re in the right place.
Who Am I?
I live in Astoria, Oregon, which is exactly as charming and rainy as it sounds. Think cosy coffee shops, bookshops that smell like heaven, and a constant battle to keep kids from jumping in every single puddle.
I have three wild, hilarious, exhausting kids:
- Jack, 7 – Loves dinosaurs and asking questions I don’t know how to answer.
- Lily, 5 – A walking glitter bomb with big opinions and a bigger imagination.
- Max, 2 – The human tornado. Fast, fearless, and always up to no good.
Their dad, Ben, and I were married for almost a decade before we realized we were better parents than partners. Divorce is not easy. Co-parenting is not easy. But we’ve found a way to make it work.
Some days, we’re a well-oiled machine. Other days, I’m texting him “Can you please explain to Max that the TV remote is not a hammer?”
Why MumStrife?
Because motherhood is messy.
Before this blog, I spent a lot of time googling “Is it normal for a toddler to…?” and reading parenting advice that made me feel like I was failing.
Spoiler: I wasn’t. And you’re not either.
MumStrife is for the real moments. The ones that don’t make it into the glossy Instagram versions of motherhood. It’s about:
- The good stuff – The sticky kisses, the belly laughs, the way your kid says “aminal” instead of “animal.”
- The hard stuff – The tantrums, the self-doubt, the “I just need five minutes alone” feeling.
- The hilarious stuff – Like that time Lily cut her own hair and told me it was “for science.”
You’ll find stories, zero-judgment parenting chat, and a reminder that you’re not screwing this up.
What You’ll Find Here
☕ Parenting reality checks – The funny, the raw, the “I thought it was just me” moments.
👶 Co-parenting & single mum life – How I juggle kids, work, and occasionally remembering to eat.
💛 Mental health & burnout survival – Because mums matter too.
📍 Life in Astoria – Small-town life, good coffee, and figuring out how to raise kids in the rain.
Why This Blog?
Because we’re all just winging it.
I don’t have all the answers. Some days, my biggest win is keeping the kids alive and finding a snack that isn’t Goldfish crackers.
But what I do know is this: You’re doing better than you think.
If you need a laugh, a virtual hug, or just someone to say “Yep, been there”, MumStrife is here.
Join the Chaos
Subscribe. Leave a comment. Send me a message. Or just lurk and nod along—I get it.
Motherhood can be lonely. But it doesn’t have to be.
We’ve got this. Sort of.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, Max just climbed onto the kitchen counter. Again.