Yes to Gentle. Also, Yes to Boundaries.

Hola Familias, At Lola & Tots, we see it every day — parents trying their best to show up with patience, softness, and understanding. That’s what we love about gentle parenting. But let’s be real: sometimes, it feels like the boundaries get lost in the process. Saying yes all the time isn’t gentle — it’s […]

Empathy, Kindness & Respect Go a Long Way

Hola Familias, I hope this message finds you well. As we navigate these challenging times, I want to share some personal reflections with you. At Lola’s, we are more than just a community; we are a family. Each day, I am inspired by the dedication and passion our educators and staff bring to nurturing our […]

Adopting My Niece: A Journey of Love, Loss, and New Beginnings

Hola Familias, Today, I adopted my niece Zola. It was one of the most emotional moments of my life. On one hand, I felt immense joy—after five years of caring for her, she is finally, fully mine. No more oversight, no more restrictions on vacations, no more constant supervision over the decisions I make for […]

Why Diversity Matters and How We Can Hold Companies Accountable

Hola Familias! Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much power we, as consumers, really have. Every purchase we make, every dollar we spend—it’s like casting a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. That’s why it’s been so upsetting to see some of the biggest companies, like Walmart and Target, quietly […]

Why Roblox Feels Dangerous

Why Roblox Feels Dangerous Inaproppriate Content Let’s start with the obvious: Roblox is marketed as kid-friendly, but it’s anything but in many corners. Even with the company’s moderation efforts, explicit and violent games are still accessible to kids. I read stories of children stumbling into spaces that no parent would knowingly allow them to enter. […]

“the talks”

As a Latina, single mama of three chicas, I’m quickly learning that addressing topics related to sexuality is a journey, not “a” conversation. It’s one filled with sensitivity, intention and, to be honest, lots of fear. Each of my girls, with their unique personalities and in varying developmental stages, has required a different approach to […]

budget birthday tip

When Luna shared that she wished for an “Under the Sea” themed birthday party this year, in typical Natalie fashion, I created my Pinterest board and the creative juices started flowing. Little did I know, how crazy the last couple of weeks would be and how tapped out I would actually feel. Let’s rewind on […]

super mom

So as some of you know, I was nominated for a competition and I’ve been incessantly asking for support via votes to keep me in the running for a chance to win the title of “Super Mom.” I find myself asking, what does this title mean to me and how am I to be chosen […]

it takes a village

Some women choose single mamahood. For others, single mamahood chooses them. In my case, it happened to choose me. Life has a special way of giving you exactly what you need even if it’s hard to see at the moment. Six years ago, if you were to have asked me whether I thought separation and, […]

mental health check-in

With the spring season comes change and in very “on brand” style, we decided to embrace a full on business move and pivot on our business model. I must admit, I’ve been a little removed from the blog but I promise it’s for good reason. After 4+ years, we bid farewell to little Lola & […]