Chara
Chara Donahue is a wife, stay at home mom of four, and a teacher/counselor at her church in Oregon. She holds a MSEd from Corban University and is passionate about being a voice that says, "Hey we are in this together, and there is room for us all." She can often be found with her nose in a book and coffee in hand, but enjoys freelance writing and speaking to women when the kids are out playing with dad. You can find more from Chara at www.anchoredvoices.com or on Twitter @CharaDonahue.
Holding On and Letting Go
I know she is growing up, but as I witnessed her pulling out the summer peppers and preparing for their forthcoming carving, I was both impressed and saddened that she didn't need my help....
Kid Reviews of Portland’s Top Doughnut Shops
FRIED DOUGH! We know it's not great for us, but it tastes so good. Portland has recently made a name for itself in the doughnut (donut?) world as a launching ground for international and...
Trivial Tantrum Triggers for Both Mama and Baby
Confession: Having the kids home during the summer forces me to face the fact that I have shared not only my strengths but my weaknesses with them. I see the ridiculous contagious nature of...
The School-Agers Are Home: Practical Tips for Savoring Summer
I always feel torn this time of year. Part of me loves summer: the warm days, picnics, and the creating of childhood memories are all at my fingertips as the last school bell reverberates...
7 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Full-Day Kindergarten
"Nope, not going to happen" was my consistent response to my husband when he put homeschooling on the table. He always reminded me that I have a Masters of Science in Education, and I...
The Burden and Beauty of a Sister
"Hey, hey, HEY! What is going on in here? In this house we don't fight with our sister, we fight for her."
This seems to be a common refrain for me these days, as I...
The Mom’s Road Trip Survival Guide
I know just the title of this piece sounds like a bad idea. However, our family has taken many long road trips, and it's worth it (especially, when you look at the price of...
Thank You, Poison Control
I didn't have the number for the Poison Control Center in my phone the first time I needed it. The deadly substance that threatened my littles? Baby powder. I had it high on a shelf,...
Mastitis Misery and How to Avoid It
I knew I was clueless about breastfeeding, but I had no idea it could mean a trip to the operating room for mastitis. I was simply befuddled that breastfeeding could be so difficult. It's natural,...
i Flew at iFLY–Portland’s Newest Indoor Family Activity
I love asking questions that make people think beyond their current reality. Things like, "If you had to choose right now, what would you do for the rest of your life? If you were...