About Kathryn Hively

I started Just BE Parenting as a way to cope with the anxiety of balancing work, motherhood, and the impulse to write. That’s right, I’m not a parenting expert. I, my kids, and my family are perfectly flawed in MANY ways. As a parent, I’m trying to let go of perfection and just BE the best mother I can for my kids. The ‘B’ and ‘E’ in Just BE Parenting also represents the first letters of my children’s names. What works for me and my family may not work for you and yours. That’s ok! Even if we’re not the same, I hope you’ll find something relatable here.

Posts by this author

Girl on a computer with an adult helping her return to school

The Return to School Creates a New Parenting Battleground

Like many parents, my partner and I agonized over the decision of whether or not our daughters should return to school in person this fall. New Jersey has the advantage of beginning the school year after Labor Day, so we’ve watched as state after state, family after family, has made the difficult choice before us. Many districts opted for all virtual instruction, but for others, like ours, parents have the option to choose between virtual or in-person learning.

Girl running in sprinklers

Summer of Simplicity

This summer was supposed to be our most epic bucket list yet. We trekked to the passport office in February in preparation for our first international trip in July. (Ok, it was Canada, and we were driving, but it required a border crossing, so I’m counting it). The girls’ passports arrived the day after everything shut down in March.