LJ Herman is a former editor at Love What Matters and lives in Colorado. LJ is a concert, ticket and technology enthusiast. He has seen the Dave Mathews Band over one hundred times and counting.
No, You’re Not A Bad Mom For Getting A C-Section
“Let me tell you all the things NOT to say to a mom about to have a C-section.”
‘This time last year, I wrote a suicide note. I hated myself and believed I was better off dead than being ‘gay.’’
“I remember laying in my bed, crying, and asking God why He would make me if He was going to send me to Hell.”
‘He didn’t have any money, just school loans. He was younger than I was. Almost 4 years to be exact. My engagement ring was small. My proposal was simple.’
“That’s how I knew he was the one: I didn’t care.”
Dear Society: Please Stop Judging How Women Use Social Media
“If she uses a Snapchat filter every time she takes a picture because it makes her feel pretty, let her do it. If she takes gym selfies to track her progress every day, let her do it. If she poses the same way in every picture because she likes that angle of her body the best, let her do it.”
‘I had a meltdown in a Target fitting room. A thought entered my mind: I hate my body.’
“I stood and stared at myself half-naked. I missed pre-pregnancy me. I missed how my jeans used to fit. How I didn’t have to wear Spanx when I wore something fitted. I missed the way my boobs looked in a bra that actually fit me. I missed it all.”
My Healthy Teen Daughter Was Body Shamed By A Nurse, And We Need To Talk About It
“Riley’s response when we left was, ‘Mom, this is why kids have anorexia or feel like they want to hurt themselves.’ She is exactly right!”
‘I remember picking it up. I remember hitting my arm with the sharp edge repeatedly until I saw scratches, and then blood. I remember feeling better.’
“These scars are my war marks of fighting to LIVE.”
Why I’m Thankful I See My Son At His Worst
“You don’t have to pretend with me. I am your safe haven.”
‘Here’s where my 12-year-old son, Noah, should have stood this morning for his obligatory back-to-school picture.’: Bereaved mom says ‘it’s okay to acknowledge both the beauty and the ache’
“Today he should have started 7th grade. Instead he never will.”
‘They said $5 for any dog that’s a foot or longer. I immediately thought of Subway’s $5 foot long! I decided to text my mom to ask for ‘permission.’
“She never specified what kind of foot long…”