Gemma Hartley

Sometimes, I think back to all the ridiculous things I did for boys when I was younger and cringe.

I hate some of the things I see my friends and family post on Facebook.

Becoming an adult didn’t magically open me up to their world and their psyche as I thought it would. Even having children of my own did little to unravel the mystery of my parents, because I wasn’t really interested in exploring honestly. I have always been concerned with who my parents were in relation to me, not who they were on their own.

The money is great, but it is not the best part of becoming a working mom. Having my own career has shifted the power balance of my relationship.

I am sometimes painfully envious of other (usually childless) writers who are doing the very thing I swore I would have done by now — publishing a novel.

At Santa Rosa Christian School, dancing was a gateway drug. The gyrating, the slow romantic swaying...

When I made the decision to become a stay-at-home mother, the choice was an easy one.

I went on to drink a small glass of wine or two per week throughout my pregnancy once I got over the initial shock of it being unplanned. Once I had adjusted to the fact that I was going to bring another baby into the world, I was still overwhelmed by the stress it brought on. I had suffered from postpartum depression after the birth of my son and we had decided not to have any more children. I didn't want the risks or the horrible anxiety that came with pregnancy. Yet here I was, facing all that uncertainty again. Damn right I needed a drink.

I was lucky enough to avoid a great deal of body negativity growing up.

I could very easily slip through the next four years with blinders on and feel largely unaffected by the political climate. Which is why it’s so important for me to remind myself every day to stay in the fight. Even when it doesn't affect me personally, I owe it to my allies to remain vigilant all (four) year(s) long.