Joni Edelman

Joni Edelman

Bio

Joni Edelman is a 40 year-old mother of five (ages 3 to19!), wife, RN, and freelance writer. Also notable, had a baby in her kitchen. Favorite activities include: gardening, hoarding yarn, cake (baking and eating). Less favorite activities include: laundry, laundry, laundry. Joni has appeared on The Today Show, Inside Edition, The Rachael Ray Show, Weekend Sunrise Australia, Canada AM, and Sirius Radio. In print you can find Joni's story in The Daily Mail, The Chicago Tribune, Huffington Post, Yahoo, and a host of others, but you're probably bored of all this nonsense by now. Completely understandable. Joni aspires to inspire. You can check out her personal website here.

Joni Edelman Articles

image credit: Staci Sheets

How To Talk To Boys About Talking About Girls

I just listened to my four and six year-old children (one boy, one girl) have a lengthy bathtime conversation about babies, growing up, m

Read...
We are hard-wired for love and companionship. Image: Thinkstock.

The Independence Illusion: How Vulnerability Will Improve Your Relationships

Being vulnerable, being seen (even lumpy and naked), admitting weakness, asking for help — these acts inspire and edify.

Read...
Image: author

Would Homeschooling Be Better For My Special-Needs Child?

The argument against homeschooling is always the same: “Kids need to socialize.”

Read...
Credit: ThinkStock

Why I've Bed-Shared With My Babies—Despite The Potential Risks

My decision to bed-share with my children despite potential SIDS risks has less to do with studies, and more to do with instinct.

Read...
Credit: ThinkStock

Why I Left The Mormon Church

I was told that feminism is man hate. That abortion is murder. And then I thought, "What am I doing here?"

Read...
The Spirited Child

All Grown Up: What Becomes Of The Spirited Child?

I don’t think anyone who has been to the spirited child parenting rodeo would call a mother who screams, “bad,” or who loses her temper, a “failure.” I think we all understand parenting is really really hard from the get go, and parenting a kid who won’t sleep, who screams and kicks and says they hate you, is its own challenge

Read...
I kept crying for a long time — long after everyone else had stopped crying. (image credit: Ashlee Wells Jackson)

Born Too Soon: Discussing The Death Of My First Child

“I don’t even know what to say, Joni. Your baby isn’t alive.”

Read...
"Compassion for myself is not a thing I do." (image credit: Mariah Aro Sharp @mightymooseart)

When You Feel Like You're Failing, Stop For Compassion

Compassion for myself is not a thing I do. It is not a thing I have ever done. It is not a thing I feel comfortable doing. It's time I stop for compassion.

Read...
OCD is way more complicated than organized mugs.

OCD Week With Ravishly's Resident Mental Health Ladies

When I was little, any time I got an insect bite or stubbed my toe, I had to ask my mom, “Am I going to die? If I was going to die from this, I’d already be dead — right?” I also had a 30-minute prayer that I needed to say at each meal or else everyone would be poisoned and die. And corners. I had to check all of them before I went to bed.

Read...
Credit: Thinkstock

Ask Momma Bare: Do I Have To Shave?

If you decide pit or leg hair isn't a big deal, then bam! It's not a big deal.

Read...