kids – Charise Jewell

Cakes!

When my kids were little, I wrote a parenting blog. And we used to bake. Right now it’s hypo/mania season in our house, which coincides with birthday season. While I don’t bake as much these days, I like to celebrate my not-so-little ones on their special days, with a special cake. I thought I’d shareContinue reading “Cakes!”

Braid Waves

This excerpt was cut from Crazy, my memoir about being diagnosed with bipolar 1 during an extreme manic episode, the psych ward and healthcare system, and my recovery. As per Virginia Woolf, “In expressing it I explained it and then laid it to rest.” To learn more about my memoir, visit charisejewell.com/crazy. ∞∞∞ Slender fingers slideContinue reading “Braid Waves”

‘Crazy’ Prologue

During my first manic episode, in 2017, I became obsessed with garbage. I saw beauty and purpose where no one else did. This picture shows the start of the compost pile I would later use to create a garbage dinner for my family, shortly before I was hospitalized and diagnosed with bipolar 1. I wroteContinue reading “‘Crazy’ Prologue”

My parenting blog

In a former life I created a blog called CRUNCH compass. The name pops up in my posts now and then. It was a fun creative outlet and, in hindsight, an excellent way to hone my writing skills. The tagline was “helping to navigate you through the CRUNCH,” meaning those hard early years of parenthood.Continue reading “My parenting blog”

Top Books 2021

These are the best books I read this year. Some were rereads and some were new, but they were all ones I couldn’t stop thinking or talking about. Of course I had to include my book, it was the one I thought and talked about the most! To learn more about my memoir, click here.Continue reading “Top Books 2021”

Don’t Call Me Crazy: a short story

This story was a birthday gift for my son, inspired by one of his mind-blowing questions. After he read it he said “This looks really pro. Like you’ve taken a course.” Thanks kid. DISCLAIMER: This story might seem to suggest that I am against medication, which is not true. There is a lot more toContinue reading “Don’t Call Me Crazy: a short story”

I need a vacay after the vacay.

The CRUNCH: I need a vacay after the vacay. CRUNCH deets: It seemed like a good idea when you booked. But after schlepping the diapers, car seat, and pack and play, surviving the plane ride with a finger-walker, figuring out how to beach nap it, and feeding your toddler mostly French fries for a week…Continue reading “I need a vacay after the vacay.”

Category Archives: kids