Erin
Erin is the mother of one sweet, rambunctious toddler and wife to a talented chef. Professionally, she is a former special educator and preschool teacher, and is currently a cognitive neuroscience researcher and Ph.D candidate in Cognitive Science in Education with specializations in neuroscience, cognitive development, and neurodiversity/autism. She holds masters degrees in cognitive science, and neuroscience in education, from Teachers College, Columbia University, and undergraduate degrees in special education (with an additional concentration in elementary education and a minor in English) and early childhood education. As the wife of a chef, food is a huge part of her family culture, and she enjoy both cooking and baking. Some of her other hobbies include hiking, traveling, jogging, meditation, animal rescue, playing piano and guitar, crafting, reading, and of course, writing. You can follow her parenting journey and pick up tips on great kids activities here on Westchester Moms Blog, as well as her website (www.themindfullyscientificmama.com), Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest accounts.
Excess and Keeping Up With The Joneses
I watch my son zip around our yard on his ride-on 'ATV,' weaving in and out of our swing set, bounce house, and pool. Okay, the pool is one of those one-step-up from a...
She Changed My Life and Now She’s Gone
Trigger Warning: Pet Loss
There are so many beautiful gifts our fur babies give us, but I've heard it said the greatest one is an appreciation for how short our time here really is. Three...
I’m Not Ready
Boxes and totes overflow in my spare bedroom. The mountains of baby clothing are interspersed with hills of baby gear, outgrown and now ready for a new life in the attic.
I'm supposed to go...
The FASTER Act May Be Slowing Down Progress
It was supposed to make eating safer and easier. Instead, it has made it more confusing and frustrating.
When the FASTER Act was signed into law in 2021, sesame allergy families like mine rejoiced. Finally,...
Why to Train Your Dog
I recently discovered that January is National Train Your Dog Month. I guess we have celebration months and awareness days for everything now? But while the number of awareness days and months borders on...
Even the Pros Aren’t Perfect
Professionals and professional organizations are constantly updating guidance on child-rearing practices to align with the latest research. This leads to more parenting musts and must-not than I could list here. Suffice it to say;...
Why Didn’t I Do This Sooner?!
The following statement is obvious, but it bears repeating; being a mom is a full-time job—one with none of the pay and atypical benefits. Your average career will offer weekends off, paid vacation (hopefully),...
Fearing Food Allergies with Child Two
Being the parent of a child with food allergies means a lot of fear; for their health, safety, and emotional well-being. When reactions do occur, they can be traumatized for both the patient and...
Halloween Should Be Scary Fun, but for My Family, It Can Be Plain Scary
Halloween is when many kids (and adults) like to engage in scares for fun. Haunted houses, spooky costumes, scary movies, and being terrified are part of the seasonal festivities for many. But for some...
Family-Friendly Hikes Near Westchester :: The Catskills
This is the second installment of Westchester County Mom's Hiking the Hudson Valley feature. You can read the first in the series (and get descriptions of my Family Hike Challenge Factor) here.
The Catskill Mountains may...