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Jyl Barlow

Navigating life with inappropriate laughter and near-perfect hindsight.

  • The Books!
    • Hi, Honey!
    • Sparent
      • The Audiobook
    • What to Expect When You Weren’t Expecting
      • The Audiobook
    • Awards | Reviews
    • Media
  • Which Way’s Up?, The Blog
    • Blog Archives
  • Whine & Wine, The Podcast
  • Bearly Home, The Travel Page
  • About Me
    • Other Places I Write

The Audiobook

The audiobook version of Sparent is NOW AVAILABLE!!! Click below to purchase!
Audible
Amazon

An Peek at Sparent:

Audiobook readers for Sparent include Jyl Barlow, Kathy Crowley, and the man whose voice still gives me butterflies, my husband, Rich Barlow.

Book cover for 'Sparent' from the Which Way's Up series featuring a smiling family with a dad, two kids, and a mom's portrait in a frame.

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Hi, Honey! is now available! Click here for a hard copy, here for Kindle, or here for additional ebook platforms.

Book cover for 'Hi, Honey! A Dementia Diary' featuring a woman in a floral swimsuit holding a snorkel mask, set against a nature background. The cover includes quotes and the author's name, JYL CJ BARLOW.
A descriptive text about the book 'Hi, Honey!' by Jyl Barlow, focusing on themes of grief, love, and loss, alongside testimonials highlighting its emotional depth and insights into the grieving process.

How do you like your books? Click The Books! tab to purchase one of mine in your favorite format!

  • Literary Titan Award Winner
  • IPPY Award Winner
  • Today Parenting
  • Grown & Flown
  • Dream It!
  • Disney Earmarked Agency
  • Certified Autism Travel Professional

Aren't all writers gazillionaires? It turns out...no. If you love to travel and have someone else organize your life, reach out! I'd love to plan your next adventure! There's no cost to you as travel planners are compensated by destination vendors. Read more here.

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Blogs that you just missed:

Travel Etiquette Bingo: Team TPA

Travel Etiquette Bingo: Team TPA

Because I travel frequently, I have the (dis)pleasure of seeing all kinds of classless behavior in airports, and let me tell you, Crocs and pajamas are just the start.

I often wonder, as I’m making my way through TSA or to my gate or to the boarding line, if I’m the only one who…

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by Jyl Barlow September 14, 2026
Saying Goodbye to My Watch. Also, Have You Seen My Phone?

Saying Goodbye to My Watch. Also, Have You Seen My Phone?

My best-therapy-practices have always included assuming someone else is the problem, ignoring advice on the first pass, and shoving my muted phone deep into my purse.

But then…the lines started to blur.

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by Jyl Barlow August 31, 2026August 31, 2026
No Contact Kids: Finding the Quiet Relief

No Contact Kids: Finding the Quiet Relief

What’s the big deal with going no contact?

Well, for one, it’s dangerous, devastating and, often, unjustified. Beyond that, it’s not healthy. It stunts emotional maturity and growth.

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by Jyl Barlow August 17, 2026
No Contact Kids? It’s Like Walking Face-First into a Spiderweb.

No Contact Kids? It’s Like Walking Face-First into a Spiderweb.

I’ve become an expert at baiting my no-contact kid into a conversation.

My methods?

Forwarding mail, paying for college, having a death in the family, etc.

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by Jyl Barlow August 3, 2026August 3, 2026
When a Calendar Fail &  Lack of E.S.P. Collide.

When a Calendar Fail & Lack of E.S.P. Collide.

Look, it was my mistake, okay?

Still, having hope for my husband’s E.S.P. to come in is fine, as long as I consider that a very loose and unpredictable fallback plan.

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by Jyl Barlow July 20, 2026
The Price of Pets (is totally worth it)

The Price of Pets (is totally worth it)

“She brought an emotional support toy into the appointment.”

The price of pets? Worth it.

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by Jyl Barlow July 6, 2026
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