Naturally Lefty

If you had told me years ago that one day I’d hold my own children’s book in my hands…I probably would’ve smiled and said, “That sounds nice… maybe someday.” (many many many many years from now!)

Because like most moms and working women, my dreams often sat quietly on the back burner. There were lunches to make and pack, homework to help with, growing emotions to support, work deadlines, PTO meetings, school and teacher newsletters to keep track of, ubering to afterschool activities, and of course the never ending laundry that somehow multiplies overnight.

Life was full. Beautiful, but full. And writing a book? That felt like something “other people” did. Not someone like me. Nor did I feel like I had the energy to write and create.

✨ But here’s the thing…

Stories were always part of my life. I’ve spent years helping kids:

• learn to write

• build confidence

• find their voice

• believe their ideas matter

I watched children light up when they created stories. I watched shy kids become brave on paper. I watched “I’m bad at writing” turn into “Can I write another one?” And somewhere along the way, a quiet thought kept nudging me:

“If I care this much about their stories… maybe I have one to tell too.”

✨ The messy middle no one talks about

Let me be honest — writing a book didn’t happen in some peaceful cabin with endless free time. 😂 

As a busy mom, it looked more like:

• Notes scribbled on napkins in the car while mom-ubering
• Late nights after everyone was asleep
• Notes written everywhere in my planner
• Reminders in my phone 
• Half-finished drafts
• Self-doubt (TONS!)

There were so many moments I thought:

“Who am I to write a book?” 

• But every time I worked with kids…
• Every time a student smiled after finishing a story…
• Every time a parent said, “Thank you for helping my child love writing”…

I kept going. Because this wasn’t just a book. It was an extension of everything I already believed in.

✨ Why I finally said yes

One day it hit me:

• I tell kids all the time to be brave.
• To try.
• To share their voice.

How could I preach that and not do it myself? So I stopped waiting for the “perfect time.” (Spoiler: there isn’t one.) 

I just started. One page at a time. One messy draft at a time. I changed the characters names so many times, the scenes and so much more.. I wanted it to be “perfect”.. slowly realizing if I loved it, I’m sure others would too! Small steps were small wins .. that’s what I called progress.  

✨ Holding my book for the first time

The day my author copy arrived? I cried – tears of joy, excitement and “is this really happening??” Not because it was perfect and not because it was fancy. But because it represented:

• Years of writing
• Years of teaching
• Years of encouraging kids
• Years of believing in other people

And finally… believing in myself too. 🤗

Holding that book felt like holding every late night, every doubt, every tiny brave step. It felt like proof that dreams don’t have expiration dates.

✨ What I hope kids feel when they read it

More than anything, I didn’t want to write “just another book.” I wanted to create something that helps kids feel:

💛 confident

💛 creative

💛 brave

💛 seen

The same way I try to make my students feel every day because sometimes one story, one sentence, and one character is all it takes for a child to think, “Hey… maybe I can do this too!”

✨ If you’re sitting on a dream…

This is your sign! Start messy, start tired or start scared… just start! Because if a busy mom with sticky notes and cold coffee can publish a book… You can do your thing too! 😊

⸻

📚 Want to see the story that came from all those late nights?

My children’s book is now available now; you can check it out here → https://miltonandhugo.com/bookstore/cookies-sweetest-day 

Thank you for being part of this journey with me 💛