Welcome to MumStrife.com! My name is Emma Thompson, and this little part of the internet is where I chronicle the chaos, triumphs, and occasional tears of motherhood. Here, we celebrate the beautifully messy and wonderfully imperfect journey that is raising kids. Whether you’re here for a laugh, some parenting tips, or just to know you’re not alone, I’m thrilled you’ve found us.
Where It All Began
I live in the charming little town of Astoria, tucked away in the Pacific Northwest. Surrounded by towering pines and frequent drizzle, Astoria is the perfect mix of cosy coffee shops, quirky bookstores, and playgrounds that are never quite dry. It’s here that I’m raising my three incredible kids: Jack, 7, who has a curiosity that could rival any scientist; Lily, 5, my spirited and artistic dreamer; and Max, 2, who is essentially a human tornado with the world’s cheekiest grin.
MumStrife.com was born out of a particularly chaotic chapter of my life. A few years ago, I went through a divorce that upended everything I thought I knew about my future. My ex-husband, Ben, and I had been married for almost a decade. While we had some wonderful years together, we eventually realized that staying together wasn’t the best choice for either of us or our kids.
Navigating single motherhood has been both the most challenging and rewarding experience of my life. There were nights when I questioned if I could handle it all, days when I felt like I was failing, and countless moments when my kids reminded me why I was stronger than I ever believed possible.
A New Chapter
When I’m not wrangling my kids or writing blog posts, I work as a freelance graphic designer. It’s a job that allows me the flexibility to attend school plays, manage sick days, and occasionally squeeze in a yoga class (okay, that last one is rare). My clients range from local businesses in Astoria to international startups, and every project reminds me that creativity doesn’t end when you have kids—it just gets applied to different things, like inventing bedtime stories or disguising vegetables in mac and cheese.
MumStrife.com started as a way to process my own experiences and share them with others. What began as a late-night venting session about potty training disasters has grown into a space where moms can laugh, cry, and commiserate. I write about everything from the daily hilarity of parenting to more serious topics like co-parenting, mental health, and finding yourself again after a life-altering change.
The Heart of MumStrife
What sets MumStrife apart from other parenting blogs? It’s the belief that motherhood doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Here, we embrace the chaos: the unwashed dishes, the mismatched socks, and the days when you count wiping up spilt milk as a major accomplishment. But we also celebrate the small, beautiful moments that make it all worth it—like the sticky kisses before bedtime or the way your child’s laugh can turn the worst day around.
My goal is to create a community where moms feel seen, supported, and inspired. Whether you’re dealing with a toddler meltdown, balancing work and family life, or just trying to remember the last time you drank your coffee hot, MumStrife is here for you.
A Peek Into Our Lives
Astoria may be a small town, but it’s full of big adventures. Our days are a mix of school runs, library visits, and epic family movie nights (we’re currently on a Toy Story marathon). On weekends, you’ll find us hiking through the woods, building blanket forts, or baking cookies that never quite look like the recipe picture but taste amazing anyway.
Co-parenting with Ben has been a journey of its own. While it’s not always easy, we’ve found a rhythm that works for our family. We’ve learned that the kids come first, and that means putting aside our differences to make their lives as stable and happy as possible. It’s not perfect, but what in life ever is?
Why MumStrife?
The name MumStrife came to me during one of those “lose to losing it” moments—you know when everything that could go wrong does, and you just have to laugh to keep from crying. But “strife” isn’t about negativity; it’s about resilience. It’s about showing up, day after day, even when it feels impossible. It’s about the strength, love, and humour that carry us through the hardest parts of motherhood.
So here we are: sharing stories, swapping tips, and reminding each other that we’re all in this together. Whether you’re a new mom, a seasoned pro, or somewhere in between, I hope you find something here that speaks to you.
Let’s Connect
Motherhood can feel isolating at times, but it doesn’t have to be. Join our community by subscribing to the blog, or dropping me a message. I’d love to hear your stories, answer your questions, or simply remind you that you’re doing an amazing job—even on the days when it doesn’t feel like it.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for letting me share my life, my lessons, and my laughter with you. Here’s to embracing the strife and finding the joy in every messy, magical moment of motherhood.
With love,
Emma