Welcome!

Hi. I’m the Lady With a Laminator.

If you had told my former teacher self that one day my most reliable coworker would be a laminator, I would have laughed and gone about my day. And yet, here we are.

I’m a former teacher turned stay-at-home mom, writing this while contact-napping with my second baby. He’s colicky. He’s expressive. He’s tender. He’s brought me to the end of myself, taught me that I’m capable of more than I ever thought, and I couldn’t imagine life without him. He’s shown me that two opposing truths can exist at once… more on that later.

So if you’re wondering why a blog called The Lady With a Laminator exists, let’s get to the heart of it.

From Classroom to Couch (With a Baby on My Chest)

I used to plan lessons, manage classrooms, and thoughtfully scaffold learning objectives. Now I plan naps, co-regulate toddler emotions, and thoughtfully scaffold independent play… nearly always while outfitted in spit-up.

Becoming a stay-at-home mom was a meaningful shift for me. It was a shift I’m immensely grateful for, and also a disorienting one. The structure, creativity, and purpose I once poured into my classroom suddenly had to find a new home. The transition wasn’t a loss so much as a reorientation, but it still took time to recognize where those parts of me fit.

Enter: the laminator.

When my first child was born, I lost track of time day after day creating activities, games, lessons, and learning experiences just for her. I had so much fun and reconnected with parts of myself that I didn’t realize how much I had missed.

Now, with a baby who only sleeps when attached to me, a toddler with her own needs, and a home to run, my mind craves a creative escape. Creating something small and useful can feel surprisingly steadying. Not life-changing but just anchoring.

Why “Lady With a Laminator”?

This space isn't about perfection. It's about community, support, and connection.

It’s about:

• Turning everyday moments into intentional ones

• Creating low-prep, reusable activities that don’t require endless supplies

• Helping moms feel capable, even on tired days

• Choosing tools that work for real life, not against it

Sometimes that means an idea, a laminator, and some Velcro.
These days especially, it means letting “good enough” be genuinely good enough (I’m still working on this one).

Everything here is created in the tiny pockets of real life. I create during nap traps, early morning pump sessions, and rare (but cherished) quiet moments.

If You’re in a Similar Season…

This season of two littles is teaching me that I don’t have to do everything. I don’t have to love every stage. Most importantly, I’m learning that two opposing truths can be true at the same time. I can feel stretched and confident.

If you want to support your children’s learning through play, if you’re living in the in-between of those opposing truths, or if you simply need ideas you can use today…

Welcome to The Lady With a Laminator 🤍