Dawn Downes
Hey, y’all! I’m Dawn – a native Tennessean who could not wait to escape the small town for the big city. After attending a women’s college in Atlanta, I took root there and stayed. One marriage, two homes, two kids, and 25 years later, here I am, back in Tennessee. My husband moved here in January of 2016 to start a new job while our two boys, Brendan (born 2003) and Beckett (born 2006), and I stayed behind to finish the school year and sell our house. We arrived in July 2016 and have been working to make a happy new home here since then. We love living on the North Shore and I am enjoying finding unexpected beauty and little joys throughout our new city. I am also mama to fur babies, Josie the Rhodesian Ridgeback/Lab mix, and Miller, a sweet orange and white tabby cat. I'm into art, movies, music, TV, pop culture, nerdy stuff like Doctor Who and Game of Thrones and I know more than my share about the DC Universe, Pokemon, Minecraft, Battlefield, and all things LEGO thanks to having two boys.
It’s A Door, Not A Window: Why Moving Your Body Matters
I saw a meme this past weekend about a study: negative experiences in P.E. class can build a resistance to physical activity that lasts...
Raising Boys Who Respect Women In A World That’s Making It Harder
A recent study stopped me cold.
Researchers at King's College London found that 31% of Gen Z men support traditional gender roles, including the belief...
When Fine Isn’t Fine Anymore: Naming Burnout And Learning To Rest
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I had a to-do list packed with more items than any reasonable human could complete. Work deadlines for...
Take Care Of Yourself And Have Your Most Magical Holiday Yet
And here we are…
Another holiday season is upon us. And if you’re like me, you already have a to-do list a mile long. Maybe...
Don’t Wait For An Empty Nest To Start Making Space For Yourself
On the first day of school this year, I stood in my garden, quietly sipping coffee and watching the bumblebees buzz from milkweed to...
The Five Parenting Secrets I Wish I Knew As A New Mom
While the hard, physical, daily tasks of mothering may wind down, we never stop being moms — loving wholeheartedly, worrying, cheering our kids on....
10 Days Out: Lessons From A Call No Parent Wants To Get
It has been a very long time since I’ve measured the moments and milestones and events in my children’s lives by days or weeks...
Yoga Made Me A Better Mom And It Can Help You, Too
I have said more than once and to more than one person: yoga saved my life. And I believe that with all my heart...
The Next Adventure: Redefining Yourself After The Nest Empties
A few days ago, a girlfriend posted a selfie from the top of a mountain she had hiked with some other girlfriends. She was...
The So-Called Life Of A Boy Mom During Prom Season
Girl Moms, y’all don’t know how sweet you’ve got it!
I know you may think it’s a chore helping your daughter get ready for prom....