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Jyl Barlow

Navigating life as a (second)wife, (step)mom, and (frazzled)bear with inappropriate laughter and near-perfect hindsight.

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Category: ocd

The Breakup has already Begun

The Longest Breakup: A Response

Jyl Barlow Anxiety, Class of 2024, Daughters, ocd, Stepmom Leave a comment January 9, 2023January 9, 2023 4 Minutes

What was Mrs. Noah’s name and did she take a lot of Xanax?

I'll be dedicating my next glass of wine to animal care workers. And also the one after that. And the next.

Jyl Barlow Anxiety, Funny Pearls, ocd, Parenting Fails, Stepmom Leave a comment January 2, 2023January 2, 2023 6 Minutes

Going to the Chapel … someone else’s, but still.

I am fully prepared to amp up my Wedding Pinterest Board as we head into this new year. Okay, yes, I am already married. It’s just that I haven’t been to a wedding in years and 2023 marks my nephew's big day and I may already be out of control.

Jyl Barlow Anxiety, Funny Pearls, ocd, Romance Leave a comment December 26, 2022December 26, 2022 5 Minutes

Moving the Manger

Away in the Myrtle, no craze in my Head: We're moving the manger this year.

Jyl Barlow Anxiety, Biological mother, ocd, stepkids, Stepmom Leave a comment December 19, 2022 6 Minutes

Nature vs NO-ture

Deer, raccoons, and other reasons why I have rescinded this year’s application for “Favorite Parent.”

Jyl Barlow Anxiety, Funny Pearls, ocd, Parenting Fails, sons, Stepmom Leave a comment December 12, 2022 7 Minutes

Today’s Menu

I don’t mean to brag, but I did finally learn to cook.  When I first moved in with my instant family, I would look at whichever box I pulled out of the pantry and think, “Okay, serving size, 4oz…so…what, make four of those?” 

Jyl Barlow Daughters, family, marriage, ocd, parenting, Parenting Fails, sons, stepkids, Stepmom 1 Comment July 11, 2022July 11, 2022 7 Minutes

Being a (Step)Mom. It must be so Easy.

This is why I cringe when people look at me with a suspicious eye roll when they hear I am a stepmom. Only a stepmom. It must be so easy to only be a stepmom. Oh yes. Bonbons and fancy wines. What I want to say is, “You think you have emotional fallout? Try life as a stepmom. So easy.”

Jyl Barlow Biological mother, Daughters, family, marriage, ocd, parenting, sons, teens 1 Comment July 4, 2022July 4, 2022 6 Minutes

Take My Money. But only 75%.

I will price shop for actual months before pulling the trigger on just about any purchase, big or small. My husband, on the other hand, is a different story. His story starts with “Once upon a time OH MY GOD ENOUGH WITH THE PRICE SHOPPING JUST BUY IT ALREADY!!!!” 

Jyl Barlow Anxiety, competitive, ocd, Romance Leave a comment May 23, 2022 4 Minutes

Parenting: The Humble Brag

Parenting is hard. Why do we do this? No, really. I mean, I know the Hallmark answer...but, really, why?

Jyl Barlow Anxiety, competitive, Daughters, ocd, sons, stepkids, Stepmom Leave a comment May 16, 2022 3 Minutes

Lent Me Your Ears

It’s always about this time, during the Lenten season, that I start checking the calendar for an end date. Is it over yet? Am I done? You’d think I was an actual Catholic.

Jyl Barlow ocd, Stepmom Leave a comment March 28, 2022March 28, 2022 4 Minutes

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