Elissa Martin Story

Hello to all the new faces lately! We are the Storys - Tobin, Elissa (the primary creator behind the account), and our two boys aged 2 and 7. You’ll find a bit of everything here - tips for getting outside with kids, the nuances of modern parenthood, some homesteading and homeschooling but with a slice of social justice (those things CAN go together), and our adventures around our PNW home and farther afoot. As a family who deeply values connection to the environment (Tobin’s a wetland scientist, I’m a former wildlife biologist turned nature educator), we love sharing how we are raising our boys to be the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and advocates. We have plenty of stories (Storys?? 😉) to tell so follow along. Sharing some recent adventure photos: 1: vacation family photo session in St. George, UT by @whittneyjeanphotography 2. Local pumpkin patch photo session by @andreajanephotography 3. Hiking in Colorado 4. Annual mom friends camping trip at Mt. Rainier 5. Sailing trip in the San Juan Islands 6. Family hike to Cherry Creek Falls 7. Comet Falls at Mt. Rainier 8. Annual birthday hike to Heybrook Ridge 9. Boys first concert at Red Rocks in Colorado 10. Solo camping with the boys for North Cascades larches 11. Monkeys at a wildlife reserve in Roatan, Honduras Tell me your favorite place you visited this year - at home or abroad - and let’s get to know each other 😊

We can start again, at any time. Or simply start anew. It doesn’t have to be New Year’s Day, or a fresh month, or a new season. We can just start. Simply because we want to. And because every time we choose something, it counts! What’s something you want to start? Or bring back?

“I need a Mama Minute.” 🩷 I’ve used this phrase with my kids for years. They know it means I’m going to leave the room and take some time to recalibrate. Sometimes they can recognize when I need a Mama Minute and will ask me if I need one. 🤪 What’s your go-to Mama Minute? Mine has often been a piece of dark chocolate alone in the bathroom. 🍫 Sending calm vibes and delicious dark chocolate your way.

Don’t be afraid to try something new and then to move on when it’s not working anymore. Parenting is full of different phases and stages and each may require different routines and systems. Just because something was working before doesn’t mean you shouldn’t change it as kids grow and life shifts. You’ve got this!

How fitting that I was supposed to post this Monday Momtra YESTERDAY and then made the MISTAKE of missing it. The skill I know I need to build on now? Writing it down, rather than just trying to remember it, like I’ve done for the last 4 months. Which is funny, because I usually write everything down. But I think this lesson was meant to happen to give myself grace and forgiveness and remind myself that we allllll make mistakes. So, where are you giving yourself grace this week?! [But I would still love to share what I intended to post: It’s so easy to react to the mess or the meltdown with the consequence, but most tough moments are actually just unskilled moments. Our tiny humans don’t need us to make them feel bad. They need us to show them how to do better next time. Connection before correction, always.]

Don’t save fun for last. Turn clean up time into a game, take the lesson outside, or insert random dance party breaks into the mundane. Lead by example and your kids will follow. And it will probably improve their mood and willingness to participate, too! What’s one activity you’ve made fun that usually isn’t the “funnest”?

Taking a page from Artemis II this week. When it feels like that tunnel will never end, just keep going. Beautiful things wait in the light. Remember, we are all finding our way. If you are feeling in the dark, look for the tiny beams of light. Share your light with others and know we are in this together. What are your little light beams shining through right now?

On Mondays, we Momtra, but going forward we are leaving you with one sentiment per week to carry with you [Teaser: Because we have something else big in the plan!]. So tell us, if you were to sit down and journal about these 4 keys to life - where would you want to put extra energy for yourself?? 1. Movement 2. Nourishment 3. Rest 4. Connection Sending you with love and gratitude for taking the time to read this, and hoping that all 4 of those feel in alignment for you this week!

Mom’s have a lot on their plates. Be gentle with yourself this week. Give yourself grace, do something you love, find time to nurture your own heart so you can nurture theirs. Which ‘momtra’ will you put in your pocket for the week?

Monday Momtra’s have hit a little different the last few weeks. Us mamas over here got together this week and talked about the mantras we have prepped and how they aren’t what we need RIGHT NOW. What we DO need, are these. So, your turn, which of these are you taking with you this week?

If you are feeling the weight of creating the magic while protecting their childhood and feeling sadness and grief, we get it. We are holding space for all the feelings. If you’d like to continue to gain support, resources, next right steps, and community around raising radically kind kids in an increasingly unkind world comment KIND REBEL and we’ll send you a link to join the Kindness Rebellion community for free. Moms need each other now more than ever and we need to organize. Cheering you on.

Swipe to time travel… Happy birthday to my winter beach baby. Same time, same log ❤️