Romper

Kristen Cervantes

Kristen (Krissy) is a freelance writer for Romper, where she writes about the trials and tribulations of motherhood. Before writing for Romper, Krissy was an assistant editor for a craft magazine, features editor for the Daily Titan newspaper at Cal State Fullerton and intern for OC Metro and OC Family. She has a bachelor's degree in Communications from Cal State Fullerton. When Krissy isn't indulging in her hobbies of being a bargain wine enthusiast and avid Target shopper, she likes to spend time with her two dogs, daughter and husband (most of the time in that order). Krissy resides in sunny (and expensive) Southern California where she splits her time between work, spending time with her family and raising a confident and strong-willed girl who is growing up way too fast. Feel free to reach her at kcervantes625@gmail.com.
Elf On The Shelf Culture Goes *Deep*
When you opt to take the red pill and buy an Elf on the Shelf package, you get a doll with a pointy hat, plastic head, and limp red fabric body, as well as a book that explains the tradition of the elf, an official certificate showing the elf…
To The Boys Who Do Ballet Alongside My Daughter
Since you first slipped on your ballet shoes, I'm sure you've encountered side-eye looks from kids around your age, whispers from girls dressed in tutus and buns. My daughter was once the one who whispered, but only to me, when she first started.…
My Husband & I Are Going Through A "Sleep Divorce"
My husband and I are going through a "sleep divorce." Let me explain. On a typical night in my family's home, I am recovering from the long day in my bed, scrolling through my phone, with our two dogs snuggled up next to me. My husband is in the…
I Found Out My Daughter Calls Someone Else "Mom"
We were having a nice dinner at our friends' house when my friend leaned towards me and in a soft voice said, "I don't want to make you upset, but your daughter calls me 'mom' sometimes." The sting of what she just told me lasted a second. I smiled…
Having A Preemie Scared Me Off Having Another Child
It's been almost 2,500 days since my daughter was born and I can still distinctly hear the slow soft beep coming from her incubator in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I would say it haunts me, but it let me know my daughter was alive. I can…
I Got A Student Loan When I Had A Baby & Wish I Hadn't
My parents didn't foot the bill for my college education — I did. And to top it off, I found out I was having a baby while I was finishing school. I am in a shameful amount of student loan debt, over $50,000 to be exact. I know that is an outrageous…
We Have An Only Child & Yes, We Ditch Her on Valentine's Day
After spending hours ripping apart paper thin valentines, putting together glitter tattoos and candy and then painstakingly watching my 6-year-old daughter write her name on every single one of the Valentines, what I want to do most is to ditch my…
I Quit Social Media & Realized I Don't Know What Else To Do
I hate to admit it, but I can spend hours throughout the day on my phone checking out my social media pages. I probably spend on average about 3 to 4 hours a day looking at Facebook and Instagram together — the likes on pictures of my kid are nice!…
It Took Me Six Years To Make Friends After Having A Baby
For some women, being pregnant means being put on a pedestal with endless friends and family checking in on you and assisting you with every little need. But once that baby arrives, you are smacked in the face with reality. You have a precious life…
My Epidural Felt Amazing, & I Would Do It Again
I recently watched a viral video of a childbirth educator using a pink balloon and ping pong ball to demonstrate how a woman's cervix thins and dilates during labor. The woman blew up the balloon with the ping pong ball in it and then proceeded to…
When My Daughter Was In The NICU, I Imagined She Was Home
I heard a distant cry from the other room and rushed to my daughter's bedroom. She wasn't in her crib. Her pink animal bedding was still perfectly arranged. The banner with her name on it was hanging above. Diapers were still neatly packed next to…
Here's What A Californian Family Living On $70,000 Spent On School Shopping
Raising a child supposedly costs you a quarter of a million dollars, but it can honestly be more daunting to face the idea of spending $80 on bottle nipples in a single month. Expense Report gives us a look into the spending, scrimping, and wishing…
My Kid Watches A *Ton* of TV & She Is Just Fine, Thanks
As a work-at-home mom (WAHM) my "me time" and patience is limited. My days consist of sitting in a thinly cushioned office chair with an achy back and bored 6-year-old slumped on the couch, giving me a death stare. What is a WAHM to do? TV and the…
Here's How Much I Spent on My Daughter's Birthday Party As A Mom On $70,000
Raising a child supposedly costs you a quarter of a million dollars, but it can honestly be more daunting to face the idea of spending $80 on bottle nipples in a single month. Expense Report gives us a look into the spending, scrimping, and wishing…
I Announced My Pregnancy At 6 Weeks, & No It Wasn't "Too Early"
I remember hitting the send button with butterflies in my stomach. I was excited, yet unsure of how people would react. I mean, my husband and I just got married three months prior and this was most certainly not planned. I remember calling my mom…
We're A Family Of 3 On $70,000, & Here's What We Spent On A Week's Groceries
Raising a child supposedly costs you a quarter of a million dollars, but it can honestly be more daunting to face the idea of spending $80 on bottle nipples in a single month. Expense Report gives us a look into the spending, scrimping, and wishing…
The Book That Means Everything To Parents Of Preemies
Reading a book 200 times is a surefire way to find out whether you love it or want to throw its rhyming llama couplets into the diaper pail. Children's books especially do a tricky dance for an audience of squinty-eyed parents and wide-eyed tots:…
How Other Moms Feel When You Brag About Milestones
My daughter didn't walk until she was about 15 to 16 months old. I remember constantly hearing from friends and family, "Oh, she isn't walking yet?" Like it was some type of race for her to grow up. "No, she is standing and holding things, but she…
I Didn’t Realize My Toddler Had Nursemaid's Elbow, & It Was Scary AF
My daughter is turning 6 this year and I can still remember the pure terror I felt that random day back when she was 2 that started just like any other. My daughter was sitting in her tiny chair that fit perfectly with our coffee table. My husband…
My Daughter's Fears Make Me Feel Helpless Because I Can't "Fix" Them For Her
It is over 90 degrees out, the kind of heat that warps your skin. I splash my face and feel a moment of cool, but my daughter is shivering in her bathing suit. Toeing the edge of the pool while the rest of the swim class splashes and screams happily…