When a Child Can’t Say the Words

People like to imagine that harm only happens in “bad homes,” “dangerous neighborhoods,” or behind locked doors. It’s comforting to believe that. It makes the world feel predictable.

But that’s not how it works.

My own incident didn’t happen in a dark room or at the hands of a stranger. It happened in front of people. In a place where I should have been safe. And it wasn’t an adult—it was another kid. A kid who knew exactly how to cross a line while everyone else looked away.

No one stepped in. No one asked if I was okay. No one even seemed to register what was happening.

Except one person. One voice that finally said, “Stop.”

That moment taught me something I didn’t have the words for then: harm doesn’t follow stereotypes. It doesn’t wait for privacy. It doesn’t require an adult perpetrator. And silence—whether from confusion, discomfort, or denial—can be just as damaging as the act itself.

What Adults Often Miss

Experts say that children rarely disclose harm directly. They show it. And those signs can be subtle, especially when the incident doesn’t fit the “expected” pattern.

Some of the most common indicators include:

Physical signs

- Unexplained injuries  

- Pain or discomfort without a clear cause  

Behavioral signs

- Sudden withdrawal or fearfulness  

- Avoiding certain people or places  

- Acting out, anger, or shutting down  

Emotional signs

- Anxiety, sadness, or sudden mood shifts  

- Hypervigilance—always on edge  

- Low self‑worth or self-blame  

Neglect-related signs

- Chronic hunger or poor hygiene  

- Frequent absences  

- Lack of medical or emotional support  

These signs don’t automatically mean abuse. But they always mean a child needs attention, safety, and someone willing to see what others overlook.

What I Needed Then

During my incident, I didn’t need someone to interrogate me. I needed someone to notice the shift in my body language. The way I froze. The way I avoided eye contact. The way my entire presence changed.

Children don’t always scream for help. Sometimes they go silent. Sometimes they laugh it off. Sometimes they pretend nothing happened because they don’t know what else to do.

I didn’t have the words. But I had the signs. And I wish someone had known how to read them.

Why This Matters for Parents Today

If you’re raising kids—or around kids—you are part of their safety net. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be paying attention.

Here’s what helps:

- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it deserves a second look.  

- Don’t rely on stereotypes. Harm can come from peers, siblings, cousins, friends—anyone.  

- Notice patterns. One odd moment is normal. A sudden shift is not.  

- Create space for honesty. Kids talk when they feel safe, not when they feel pressured.  

- Believe them. Even if the story is messy or incomplete.  

The Lesson I Carry Forward

My memoir tells the long version. This post is the short one:

Harm doesn’t always hide in the shadows.  

Sometimes it happens in the open.  

Sometimes it’s done by another child.  

And sometimes the silence of the crowd hurts just as much as the act itself.

If sharing my story helps even one adult recognize the signs in a child they love—or a child they simply cross paths with—then the girl I once was finally gets the protection she needed.

Call to Action: Be the One Who Sees

If you’re reading this, you already care. That matters.

Now take the next step.

- Pay attention to the quiet kids.  

- Speak up when something feels off.  

- Learn the signs. Share them.  

- Create space for truth—even when it’s uncomfortable.  

- Be the adult who doesn’t look away.

You don’t have to be a therapist, a teacher, or a parent to make a difference. You just have to be someone who sees

The Room Reset Ritual: Teaching Kids to Tend Their Space (Without Losing Your Mind)

Method One: The Teamwork Tidy (Ages 5+)

This isn’t just about cleaning—it’s about co-creating a space that feels peaceful, proud, and lived in. Here’s how we do it:

🗑 Step 1: The Trash Bag Sweep

Walk into the room together with a trash bag. Do a once-over. Anything obviously broken, torn, or trash-worthy? Gone. This sets the tone: we’re clearing space for what matters.

🧾 Step 2: One Task at a Time

Give your child a single, clear task—like picking up all the papers. While they do that, you (or a sibling) tackle the clothes. When that’s done, move on:

• Child: books, coloring books, notebooks
• You/other child: board games, electronics, random bits

🧱 Step 3: The LEGO Game

Make it fun. Whoever builds the funniest animal out of the Legos they find gets to pick the post-cleaning snack. (You’ll be amazed what a snack incentive can do.)

🧸 Step 4: Big Toys + Letting Go

Time to sort the large toys. Ask: Do you still play with this? If not, it goes in the “clean and donate” pile. This is a gentle way to teach generosity and discernment.

🛏 Step 5: Final Touches

• Make the bed
• Sweep or vacuum the floor
• Put clean clothes away neatly
• Books go in a cubby, shelf, or even a wicker basket—whatever feels tidy and accessible

🧹 Bonus: The Stuffed Animal Ceremony

If the room is overflowing with plushies, invite your child to pick two favorites. The rest? Let them go. Same goes for board games missing pieces or broken toys—thank them for their time, then toss.

---

Method Two: The Broom Ultimatum 

(For Tweens, Teens, and Young Adults)

Even When the Kettle’s Bare

Some paths are quieter than others—but walking them together makes all the difference.

Today reminded me of the quiet weight that comes with being the one others turn to.

I spoke with both of my daughters—separately, at different points in the day. One needed advice, the kind only a mother can give when life feels uncertain. The other’s voice held something heavier, and when I asked, she let it spill: relationship strain, financial stress, the kind of ache that’s hard to name out loud.

I listened. I offered what I could—words, perspective, a little steadiness. And later, I followed up. Not because I had to, but because I know how it feels to be left holding something alone.

They each thanked me. They each made a move forward. And I felt that familiar flicker of peace—the kind that comes from knowing you were able to help.

But beneath that peace, there’s a quieter ache. The kind that surfaces when you’re still navigating your own storm, and yet you find yourself pouring from a cup that’s already low. It’s not about resentment—it’s about reality. About the quiet math of love and capacity.

We’re still in flux. Still searching for a home. Still navigating systems that don’t make space for people like us. And yet, I keep showing up. For them. For myself. For the life I’m still building.

Sometimes, the cost of showing up is steep. But the return—connection, movement, grace—is worth every quiet sacrifice.

A mother’s strength isn’t loud. It’s the kind that holds others together while quietly falling apart.

And so I keep showing up. Not because it’s easy. Not because I have everything figured out. But because love, in its quietest form, is often just presence. A warm voice. A steady hand. A willingness to walk beside someone—even when your own path is uncertain.

~Some days, grace is just the act of staying.  

With a cup of warm calming tea, 

❤️ Honey🍯🫖

🍂 Tea With Honey’s Cozy Fall Bucket List

Because sweater weather deserves more than just pumpkin spice.

As the leaves begin to rustle with change and the air shifts to that perfect blend of crisp and comforting, fall arrives with its gentle invitation: slow down, settle in, and savor the moment. For me, autumn isn’t just a season—it’s a soft-spoken friend who reminds me to nest, nurture, and sip my way through life’s transitions (with extra honey, of course).

This year, between house renovations and preparing for a grandbaby, I’m embracing the season like never before. And just in case you need a nudge to add more cozy to your calendar, here’s my go-to list for a soulful, snuggly fall.

🕯️ Home & Hearth Delights

Create a Cozy Tea Nook

  Rearrange a corner with plush pillows, rustic mugs, and your favorite fall blends. This is your “permission to pause” station.

Try a DIY Fall Wreath  

  Use dried florals, ribbon, or even leftover fabric scraps. Let it reflect the story your home is telling this season.

Light a Signature Seasonal Candle

  Go for scents like apple bourbon, cinnamon clove, or smoked cedar. One flick of the flame and suddenly—autumn lives here.

Thrift a Treasure for the Mantel

  Find one charming, weathered piece that makes you smile. Bonus points if it’s something your future grandchild will ask about someday.

🍁 Outdoor Adventures

Visit a Farm Stand or Pumpkin Patch

  Fresh cider, gourds with personality, and maybe a photo or two for a “Rustic Reflections” moment.

Walk Just to Crunch Leaves 

  No destination, just crunch therapy for the soul. Nature’s way of saying, “Let go.”

Host a Fireside Evening 

  A few friends, a few blankets, a pot of warm cider. Don’t forget the mismatched mugs.

Snap Foliage Photos for Future Mood Boards

  Whether you're designing a nursery or curating HazelBerries, let nature inspire your aesthetic.

🎨 Creative Moments & Connection

Make a Gratitude Garland

  Cut paper leaves and write one thing you’re grateful for each day. Hang it near your tea nook for extra joy.

Write a Letter to Your Grandbaby

  What does fall feel like in your world? What will it feel like in theirs?

Share Your Fall Playlist

  Bonus points if it’s a mix of acoustic coffeehouse tunes, vintage soul, and a few cheeky pop hits.

Design a Cozy Room Using Only What You Own

  Rearranging is the new redecorating. Challenge yourself to create warmth without spending a dime.

🍂 💌 Wrap-Up

Fall comes and goes quickly, but the memories we craft now echo long after the last leaf drops. So light the candle, fluff the pillows, and invite coziness to settle in like an old friend.

Tell me, what’s on *your* cozy fall bucket list? Share your rituals, rediscoveries, and moments of magic in the comments below—and stay tuned for HazelBerries seasonal picks and some nursery theme fun headed your way soon! 🍵🍂🧡

When the Sanctuary Turns on You

We thought we’d made it.  

After the chaos, the heartbreak, the legal battles—we thought Dolgeville was our soft landing. Quiet streets. Trees that whispered peace. A house that felt like it had been waiting for us.

But we didn’t even get that far into moving in.  

We made it there. That’s all.

Walking through the door was an immediate blow to the senses—animal urine, feces, and over twenty years of nicotine soaked into the walls, ceilings, floors. It was everywhere. In everything. Filthy furnishings still cluttered the house, untouched and reeking.

We all piled into the living room to sleep, but who could sleep in that smell?  

We felt sick. Overwhelmed.  

There was no running water.  

We had to use the toilet, spray it down with a hose, and plunge it just to force a flush.

It wasn’t a sanctuary.  

It was a health hazard.  

And more than that—it was a heartbreak.

We left.  

And just like that, we were technically homeless.  

Living in a hotel for weeks, bleeding money by the day. Between the cost of lodging and buying food without a kitchen, our finances are unraveling faster than we can patch them.

The bank still holds our home sale proceeds hostage.  

The clock keeps ticking.  

And every day, the dream of buying a safe, move-in ready home under $80K slips further out of reach.

Our kids sympathize.  

But they have their own lives, their own limits.  

There’s no room for us. Literally.

Our options are dwindling like our funds.  

And yet—somehow—we haven’t lost hope.

We still believe our sanctuary is out there.  

Not perfect. Not polished. But honest.  

Waiting for us to stumble upon it, battered but still believing.

This isn’t the post I wanted to write.  

But it’s the one I owe myself. And maybe you.

Because sometimes the “fresh start” is a façade.  

Sometimes the sanctuary is a scam.  

Sometimes the road leads you straight into heartbreak.

But here’s what I know:  

We are not broken.  

We are not foolish.  

We are not done.

We are builders. Fighters. Truth-tellers.  

We are the kind of people who turn pain into purpose.  

Who write blog posts in the middle of the night because silence is not an option.

So if you’re in the thick of it—if your dream home turned into a nightmare, if your bank betrayed you, if your body is tired and your heart is raw—you’re not doing it wrong.

You’re doing it bravely.

And one day, you’ll write your own follow-up.  

Raw. Real. Radiant in its honesty.

Until then, I’ll keep writing mine.

With grit and grace,  

Honey 🍯🫖☕️💔

When One Door Closes...

You don’t always recognize the turning point when you’re in it. Sometimes it looks like crumpled closing documents, tear-stained cheeks, or a house you loved becoming someone else’s.

We spent years as “Mom and Dad.” Years anchored in the rhythms of raising kids—school drop-offs, bedtime stories, backyard birthdays. And slowly, beautifully, those chapters gave way to new ones: our oldest expecting her third child, our youngest engaged and planning a wedding, and our son, bold and ready, buying his first condo and launching a business of his own.

Suddenly it was just Josh and Kim. Not who we were before the kids, but something gentler. Wiser. A little worn, but still full of hope.

We contemplated selling our home—not out of whimsy, but necessity. We needed clarity. A place we could own outright. No mortgage. No weight we couldn’t carry. Just sanctuary.

And it wasn’t easy. From confusing documents to inflated closing costs, we fought every step. We even almost bought a home in Maine—until we discovered it was tied to a multi-million dollar trafficking ring. You can’t make that part up.

There were nights we cried. Leaving behind the grandkids, the convenience, the familiar faces. Four hours away felt like a lifetime. But we kept going. For peace. For integrity. For something we couldn’t yet name.

And then… Dolgeville, NY.

A place we hadn’t planned on. A place that felt like it was waiting for us all along. Quiet streets. Violet festivals. A whispered welcome we didn’t know we needed.

Our kids reassured us: “This is what you need.” They were right.

This hidden gem isn’t just a new address. It’s a beginning. A sanctuary. A storybook chapter we never imagined but always hoped for.

From our wedding under the trees in Colt State Park, to our new home surrounded by trees in Dolgeville—our story has always been rooted in nature, love, and quiet strength.

This journey has been a winding road. But every step, every closed door, led us here. And it feels like we’ve finally found home.

Note from Honey We didn’t plan for this kind of love— to bloom quietly, to hold fast through trials, to keep showing up when the path got hard.

But here we are. Rooted. Resilient. Grateful beyond words.

To anyone standing at the edge of change: trust the whisper. The stillness. The wild unfolding.

We didn’t know where the road would lead. We just kept choosing what felt honest, even when it meant letting go of the familiar. Each moment shaped the next. Each challenge carved out space for something softer. Something stronger.

So if you’re building your next chapter from scratch, if you’re grieving and dreaming in the same breath—you’re not doing it wrong. You’re doing it beautifully.

Here’s to new homes, old trees, and love that quietly lasts.

With my whole heart, 

Honey 🍯🫖☕️❤️

🤝 Sibling Rivalry and the Hand-Holding Hack

From swing disputes to teenage squabbles—sometimes you just need a grip on the situation.  

They say siblings are built-in best friends. I say they're also built-in sparring partners. Whether it’s a tug-of-war over a cookie or an all-out emotional showdown over the TV remote, the sibling dynamic is as unpredictable as a toddler’s taste buds.

In our house, I’ve learned that peace doesn’t come from perfect fairness—it comes from creative parenting. Exhibit A: the “hand-hold method.”

 👐 The Method That Works Like Magic

One day, in the middle of a loud, dramatic standoff between my kids about who touched the remote last (very serious business), I pulled out a wild card. I made them hold hands. Not just a quick grasp—I told them they couldn’t let go until they calmed down and talked it out themselves.

There were groans. There were limp fingers. There may have been a few theatrical sighs. But somewhere between the awkward grip and reluctant giggles, something shifted. They talked. They compromised. I sipped my coffee like a triumphant wizard.

And here’s the kicker—I did this even when they were teenagers. Yep. Full-fledged, sarcasm-wielding adolescents. I braced for rebellion... maybe a full-blown dissertation on personal boundaries. But instead? Compliance. Grudging, awkward, miraculous compliance.

They held hands. They talked. And the conflict evaporated, like magic (or maybe just solid parenting theater).

 🎬 Let’s Talk Movie Moments

To add some cinematic flair, here’s a clip from *Cheaper by the Dozen*—a film that gets the chaos of a big family just right. [Watch the scene here] 

You’ll see the humor, mess, and heart that mirrors what many of us navigate daily.

 💬 Lessons from the Front Lines

Creativity > Control: Rules don’t always win, but a little surprise can rewire a moment.

Teenagers will surprise you: Even in their sassiest phases, they’re still open to trust-based discipline.

Sibling rivalry is normal—but our responses can turn it into an opportunity for growth.

So next time your kids argue over who gets the blue cup or the front seat, try the hand-hold. Awkward? Yes. Effective? Shockingly so.

Because parenting isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up with love, resilience, and the occasional weird-but-wonderful solution.

🧠 What’s Your Sibling Showdown Strategy?

Sibling rivalry isn’t just a phase—it’s practically a family rite of passage. But every parent discovers their own trick, tactic, or touch of magic. So let’s swap stories:

• ☑️ The Hand-Hold Method – Awkwardly effective, emotionally brilliant
• ☑️ Distraction Dance Party – A groove to outmatch grumbles
• ☑️ Solve-It-Yourself Strategy – Hands-off parenting with a purpose
• ☑️ Your Own Genius Move – Add it to the comment section below!

✨ Reader Challenge of the Week: Try the hand-hold hack. Yes, even with your teens. Then come back and tell us:

• Did they giggle?
• Did they roll their eyes into next Tuesday?
• Did they actually work it out?

We’ll feature the most hilarious or heartfelt submissions in a future post right here on Tea With Honey. 💛

Verified & Brewing: Tea With Honey Gets AdSense Approved

Big News from the Honey Hive 🍯

Tea With Honey is officially verified by AdSense! That means every visit supports the fudge-making, parenting pep talks, and cozy content you've come to love. So sip your tea, click around, and know you're helping keep the kettle warm.🤎

Sweet Comfort in a Cup

Tea with Honey for Parents Who Need a Moment <3

Parenting is beautiful—and exhausting. Some days you’re juggling tantrums, teething, and tying shoes while trying to remember if *you* even had breakfast. In the whirlwind of caregiving, a cup of tea with honey isn’t just a drink—it’s a small act of self-kindness.

💛 Why Tea with Honey Feels Like a Hug

Soothes the soul: That warm mug has a magical way of easing stress and grounding your thoughts.

Natural remedy: Fighting off your toddler’s latest cold? Honey + herbal tea can calm your throat and settle your nerves.

A moment of pause: Even five minutes of quiet sipping can restore your sense of self.

🍵 Family-Friendly Tea Tips

Chamomile: A gentle option to share with older kids before bedtime.

Peppermint or ginger**: Great for digestive woes (you *or* your picky eater).

 **Honey rule**: Wait until age 1 to give honey to little ones—but you can enjoy that sweetness all to yourself until then.

👪 **Make It a Ritual**

Start a new tradition: evening tea wind-down. Light a candle, play calming music, and invite your kiddos to sip warm (honey-free) tea with you. It’s a beautiful way to model self-care and create comforting routines.

☀️ **One Last Sip**

You give a lot. This simple brew? It gives a little back. So next time chaos reigns and cereal ends up on the ceiling, take a deep breath—and make the tea.

~Honey 🫖☕️

Nobody Warned Me About the Silence

The Unspoken Transition from Full-Time Mom to... 

Something Else

They don’t tell you that the hardest part of parenting isn’t the toddler tantrums or the teenage moods—it’s the stillness that comes after. The silence that hums too loudly when the door doesn’t burst open at 3:45, when there are no band concerts to rush to, or softball uniforms to wash. When the kitchen hums with nothing but your own thoughts—and maybe, if you’re lucky, a little Aerosmith turned up loud enough to drown them out for a bit.

There’s no ceremony for this stage. No “You Did It!” banner fluttering over your head when your kids step into adulthood. Instead, there’s a quiet unraveling—a slow shift from being needed every day to wondering where you fit in now. 

I wish someone had warned me about the ache. The depression that sneaks in like fog after the storm, not because you want them to need you forever, but because you don’t know who you are without being needed. When your days aren’t wrapped around someone else’s schedule, you can lose your rhythm. It’s grief, in a way—mourning the role that once defined your every breath.

And then came the move. A new chapter, sure—but one written miles away from the people who once made the pages worth turning. The heartbreak of waving from a different state, pretending it's exciting when what you really feel is abandonment, loneliness, and the hollow ache of empty arms that once held everything that mattered.

But here’s the truth I hold onto like a lifeline: I may not be their anchor anymore—but I’m their lighthouse. I may not get the call every day—but I’ll always answer. And in this quieter season, I’m not fading—I’m evolving. The woman I was before motherhood never vanished. She’s still here, waiting at the edge of the dance floor, barefoot and wild-hearted, ready to crank up the music and reclaim her space.

Because as much as we raise our children, sometimes... we’re given the sacred chance to raise ourselves again, too.

🧭 Let’s Keep This Conversation Going

If this season of “what now?” feels familiar, I’d love to hear your heart.

• What part of parenting adult children has been the hardest for you?

• How have you learned to fill the quiet?

• What helps you feel seen again?

📊 Quick Poll: Where are you on this journey?

Choose the one that feels closest right now:

• 🍼 Still deep in the day-to-day of parenting

• 🧗 Navigating the shift—kids growing, roles changing

• 🌅 Just starting to rediscover myself

• 🎨 Fully embracing this next chapter (and dancing in the kitchen again)

• 👀 Just here to read, not ready to share yet

💬 Share your story in the comments—raw, real, or even rambling. This is a judgment-free front porch.

🪑 And if you’re not ready to speak yet, just type the answer that feels most like you today. 

Just know: someone else is sitting here too, rocking gently through it with you.

Brew a cup 🍵and join in the discussion with me. 

~ Honey 🍯

The House That Laughed

In the thick of our family’s busiest years, Josh and I were working full-time jobs—sometimes more. We weren’t poor, but we weren’t lounging in luxury either. Just a family doing our best to stay afloat, keep the fridge stocked, and the kids pointed in the right direction.

Between school band, baseball, softball, track, wrestling, and who-knows-what-else, our schedules looked like color-coded chaos. But we knew early on that if we didn’t carve out space for family time, we’d lose the very thing we were all working so hard to hold onto.

So we did. And we did it with heart—and on a budget.

🎲 Game Night or Bust

Friday or Saturday nights were sacred. Game night didn’t need much—just popcorn, a few good laughs, and the willingness to lose gracefully to your kids. We’d play *Apples to Apples*, *Pictionary*, *Jenga*, *Clue*, and classic card games (but never *Monopoly*—life's too short and tempers are too fragile).

As the kids got older, the games got a little edgier—*Cards Against Humanity*, *Hot Seat*, *Jackbox Games*, *The Things Game*. Sometimes even *Fortnite*, if we were feeling competitive and tech-savvy. That living room saw so much laughter—and maybe a few dramatic exits when someone lost (again).

🗣️ The Truth About Family Meetings

We held family meetings not because we were a well-oiled parenting machine, but because *communication matters*. News got shared. Feelings got aired. Sometimes it got loud. Sometimes quiet. But we always listened.

Our kids were taught to speak freely—without fear of punishment. No swearing, sure. But honesty? Always. We wanted our kids to know that their voices mattered, and that the only way through conflict is conversation.

 🚗 Papa Gino’s, Petting Zoos & a Whole Lot of Drive-Ins

Family outings didn’t come with airline tickets or fancy reservations. They came with a large soda cup we were all told to share (refills, naturally), and the slightly embarrassing honor of being known as “the hotdog family” at Papa Gino’s.

We hit local parks with petting zoos, picnic tables, and trails for tiny legs to conquer. We walked Thames Street in Newport and let the sea breeze do its magic. But the real crown jewel? The drive-in. Blankets, packed snacks, drowsy kids in the backseat. We wouldn’t get home until 1am—carrying sleeping kids to bed, our hearts just as full as our car.

💦 Water Fights & Nerf-Gun Diplomacy

Oh, the outdoor chaos. Water gun ambushes. Nerf-gun battles. No one was safe—not even the new kid one of our teens brought home. If they got pelted walking through the front door, they knew they were welcome.

Because in our house, fun was foundational. It kept us light, even when the days were heavy.

Family time doesn't have to cost anything—but it gives you everything.

Now our kids are passing down these same traditions—with drive-ins, game nights, and the kind of laughter that leaves footprints on your soul.

Ours was the house that laughed—and honestly, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

I'd love to hear about your family time adventures so grab a cup ☕ and share your family time with me via email or in the comments section. ~Honey 🍯💛