Katrina Siron
Tired of Being Famously Hot? Let’s Go Chase Waterfalls!
There's definitely no shortage of things to do in the Midlands to cool off during the hot summer months. We've got Lake Murray and Lake Wateree nearby, splash pads, pools, and a handful of...
New to Columbia? Must-Know Driving Tips to Make Your Life Easier
New to Columbia? Welcome! Like most of the south, it's a pretty welcoming place, and there is a lot to see and do here, from hiking trails to museums, to shopping and dining, and...
Congaree Swamp and National Park :: Fun, Family Hike
I've been meaning to take my kids out to Congaree Swamp since last summer, but it seemed so far away from where we live in Lexington. But after trekking out to the Timmerman Trail,...
Your Daughter is Ready for a Bra, Now What?
I took my daughter to see "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" in the theater when it released. While some scenes in the film are clearly dated for the time period in which...
Great Wolf Lodge :: Toddlers vs. Tweens and Teens
My very first post for Columbia Mom was an introduction to Great Wolf Lodge. That was all the way back in 2015! My kids were five, three, and two at the time, and we...
My Teen is Dating – Now What?!
I'm a mom of three kids - a 13 year old boy, an 11 year old girl, and another boy, age 10. When they were younger and talked about dating, I jokingly said, "You...
Synchronized Fireflies Light Up the Night at Congaree National Park
It’s that time of year again – time to watch the fireflies do their thing! I’m not talking about a trip to see the Columbia Fireflies baseball team.
Before there was a baseball team, these...
Weight Loss Surgery, Part 2 :: The Procedure and Aftermath
This is part two of my weight loss journey. You can find part one here.
My big caveat that goes with this series is that, like any medical decision, this is a highly individual one....
Bittersweet Milestones
There are some milestones you think, as a parent, will be such a relief when your child achieves them. Feeding themselves, toileting independently, happy school drop-offs. And for the most part, once your child...
Weight Loss Surgery, Part I :: The Decision
Being a fat person is complicated. In the media, we see an increase in representation and body positivity, which is a wonderful thing, full stop. All bodies deserve to see themselves depicted in media...
Let’s Hit the Trails :: Top 10 Kid-Friendly Hiking Spots Around Columbia
The Midlands is home to a surprising number of family-friendly hiking trails. This fun, inexpensive, and educational hobby is a great way to wear your kids out after school or on the weekend.
Some of...
Menstrual Cups :: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
I didn't know I was a crunchy mom until I had my first baby, and somehow breastfeeding and babywearing led me down a cloth diaper path, and before I knew it, that was just...
Let’s Get Back to Nature :: Swimming Holes and Other Water Fun Around Columbia!
Like any southern mama, I spend the summer with my kids with two goals in mind: keeping the peace and staying cool. The most effective way to achieve both goals is to get us...
Fourteen Mile Creek Trail in Lexington :: Perfect Beginner’s Hike for Kids
After our rather lengthy adventure at Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve, I wanted to find something a little easier, a little closer, and definitely a bit shorter. After toying around with a few different ideas,...