Welcome to the Life at 9,318’ blog, where I share reflections on parenting, mountain living, community, and the questions that matter most. Here you’ll find long-form essays, stories from small-town life, and thoughtful insights on family, camp, and growing up in the high country.
Interested in parent resources?
Recent Reflections
The Confidence to Be Uncomfortable
We want to fix things for our children. The disappointment, the frustration, the hard feelings. But what if confidence comes not just from doing hard things, but from learning we can feel hard things, too?
The Gift of Not Knowing: Raising Independent Kids in a Connected World
We want the updates, the photographs, and the reassurance. But what if giving our children more independence means learning to unplug ourselves, too? A reflection on childhood freedom, trust, and the gift of not knowing every detail.
The Moments We Don't Put in the Brochure
Outdoor adventure gives kids space to struggle, belong, lead, and discover what they can do. A reflection on raising confident, independent kids.
The Bravest Thing We Do As Parents
Sending our children into the world is one of the bravest things we do as parents. As a mom of three and youth development professional, I reflect on trust, vulnerability, and why choosing growth over certainty is never easy—but always worth it.
When Your Child Leaves Home for Opportunity: The Resilience Parents Build Too
Watching my son ski into a crowd of teammates cheering him on reminded me of something every parent hopes for when a child leaves home: acceptance. A reflection on resilience, parenting, and the complicated beauty of letting our kids grow.
Preparing for Camp: How to Set Your Child Up for Homesickness Success
Preparing for camp doesn’t mean preventing homesickness—it means helping your child feel ready to move through it. A parent-centered guide to emotional preparation, staff support, and building confidence before summer begins.
How to Support Your Child Through Homesickness
A practical, parent-centered guide to supporting a homesick child at camp—without increasing anxiety or undermining independence.
The Truth About Homesickness at Camp
A calm, experience-based look at homesickness at camp—why it happens, what kids need, and how parents can support growth.