Azalea Russo (AzaleaRusso)

I’m a mother of three, walking the ever-changing path of parenting with a heart that’s open, a mind that’s learning, and arms that are often full—sometimes with little bodies, sometimes with laundry, sometimes with all the emotions that come with raising children.

Motherhood, for me, hasn’t been about having all the answers. It’s been about learning how to sit with the questions. Every day brings new challenges and unexpected joys: tantrums in the cereal aisle, quiet moments at bedtime, the mess and magic of a living room covered in blocks and books. I’ve come to understand that parenting isn’t something we master—it’s something we grow through.

What I’ve learned most deeply is that connection matters more than perfection. My children don’t need me to be flawless—they need me to be present. To really see them. To listen. To slow down enough to notice the way they hum when they play, or how they need five minutes of silliness before they can settle into sleep.

I started writing and reflecting on our daily life not because it’s extraordinary, but because it’s real. And I believe there is so much value in sharing the real moments: the mess, the doubt, the beauty, the breakthroughs. Parenting can be deeply isolating if we think we’re the only ones struggling. But when we tell the truth of our experience, we open the door for others to exhale and say, “Me too.”

I care deeply about creating an environment for my children where they are free to be curious, expressive, and secure in who they are. That often means letting go of expectations—my own, and the ones I’ve absorbed from culture, family, or social media. I’ve learned to embrace slower days, child-led exploration, and the quiet power of just sitting together with no agenda.

At the same time, I’m still learning how to care for myself in the process. Motherhood can be consuming, and I’ve had to re-learn who I am outside of being “mom.” That’s part of what motivates me to share—to make space not just for my children’s growth, but for my own.

This space is for connection. For honest storytelling. For learning and unlearning together. I don’t claim to have a perfect system or a magic routine. But I believe in showing up—with love, with questions, with grace.

If you’re here because you’re on this journey too, I’m so glad. Let’s keep learning from one another, supporting each other, and finding beauty in the small, quiet moments of everyday life.