In her column, Momma’s Home, Penny Powell will share her journey of being a stay-at-home mom to 9-year-old, Caleb, son of her and her husband, Collin. Momma's Home will take you inside the home, mind, heart and soul of this stay-at-home mother who believes that her opportunity to be an at-home parent is one of her greatest motherhood blessings. "It's an invaluable way to celebrate my son's life -- every day," she says. Penny invites you to write to her at Momtoaboy@aol.com.





Current Column

:: September 6, 2005. Creating Positive Parent/Teacher Partnerships. The many unexpected twists and turns that I encounter as a stay-at-home mother often help make this journey an exciting adventure for me. The most recent twist includes a somewhat sudden urge to re-enroll my son in the school he had attended for first grade. We had spent the last two years homeschooling, so where was this feeling coming from considering how passionate I was about homeschooling my son? > more

Past Columns

:: July 11, 2005. Growing Gardening Kids. Lately, I've had several encounters reminding me about an interesting gardening conversation I had with my 84-year-old grandmother, Emily Enos, several months ago. For starters, I keep coming across literature that discusses the worthwhile benefits of gardening with kids. Next, a few days ago I took my son to a science workshop at a local science store and came across some unique gardening-related items that also reminded me of that conversation with my grandmother. > more
:: April 1, 2005. It's All About Time: Giving the gift of time and spiritual nurturing through stay-at-home parenting. December 28, 2004 marked the beginning of my ninth year as a stay-at-home mom. What an incredible journey it has been -- given both the numerous joys and challenges! On two occasions I attempted flexible work experiences outside of the home, only to return home before long even further convinced that I have a higher calling to be a stay-at-home mother. > more

:: Daddy's Home: Work/Stay-At-Home Dads are on the Rise. Meet One Here! In an article I wrote a few years ago about my brother's role at that time of a single parent to two young daughters, I referenced comments that Alvin T. Poussaint made in Bill Cosby's book, Fatherhood. Again, I reflect upon Poussaint's words as I write about another dedicated father, Derek Felton, who is not a single father as my brother was, but rather a stay/work-at-home dad. > more

:: Celebrating My Child, Each and Every Day. During a trip home to Bermuda this summer, I had a conversation with a respected elder of the Island's community, Mr. Norris Burgess, Sr., about what I’ve been doing since relocating from Bermuda to Virginia Beach about 9 years ago when my husband’s Navy career lead us to the United States. When I informed him that I have chosen to be a freelance writer and stay-at-home mother to my 6-year-old son, that sparked discussion about how the value of stay-at-home parenting seems to have gotten lost over the years. > more

Penny's SAHM Journal

:: 7/20/05. Memorial Tributes. Penny writes heartfelt tributes to her cousin, Terry Burgess, who recently passed away and to her father, Ainsworth Burgess, who passed 10 years prior. Read the entry.

:: 3/28/05. Japanese Bus Art in Maryland to D.C. A Japanese man touches lives through simple acts of kindness. Read the entry.

:: 2/20/05. Science Fair. Penny and Caleb (and three large bugs) participate in a homeschool Science Fair! Read the entry.

:: 12/5/04: A "Fruit-ful" Birthday. A 3-part Surprise. Read the entry.

:: 11/21/04: Operation Christmas Child. Homeschoolers participate in a fun and meaningful Community Service project. Read the entry.


Additional Resources

:: Mommy Too! is the first and only web magazine for at-home mothers of color. Seeking to empower stay-at-home mothers to take time for themselves, Mommy Too! publishes articles that cover health, learning, living, home and work-at-home issues. Mommy Too! is a monthly, subscription-based web magazine uplifting the lives of at-home mothers across the country. >go

:: SAHM Readiness Quiz. Are you ready to be a SAHM? Not quite sure....? Take our quick quiz. >go