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All Good Things

Hi, it’s Jen from Cute Potato. Throughout the 10 years I’ve written this blog, I’ve used the moniker MP, but for this last post, it seemed appropriate to get personal.

When I started Cute Potato in June 2009, my son and daughter were 2- and 3-years old.  I was still new to motherhood and trying to figure out how to give the kids rich experiences while also being true to myself. Sharing my family’s adventures on the blog proved to be the perfect creative outlet, and as it happened, a great way to connect with other young parents. If someone predicted then that the blog would eventually inspire The Maine Play Book, my first book,  I never would have believed it, not for a second.

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A 2009 photo of my two in Dollar Store hats.

So much has changed between then and now. My kids are 12 and 13. They’re developing into two independent people with their own interests and pastimes. My youngest plays electric guitar, bakes a seriously good peanut butter cookie, collects albums and adores football. My oldest is a social butterfly. I almost always find her on the phone making plans with friends. And she’s remarkably fearless when it comes to trying new sports. Of all she’s tried over the years, from gymnastics to basketball, she’s come to love field hockey and lacrosse best. This winter, she’s downhill skiing for the first time.

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The kids in 2019. It’s rare to get a photo these days!

As for me, the past year has been a time of transition. While I’m proud of my kids and the young adults they’re becoming, it’s hard letting go. I remember a friend telling me that kids want to do less with their parents as they become teenagers – that friends, sports and their own hobbies take center stage. I didn’t want to believe her, but she was right. While we still explore together, our interests are expanding and changing in ways I never imagined a decade ago. 

I’m thankful for the adventures this blog has inspired and for the readers who have supported it over the past 10 years, but it’s time to move on to something new. I hope that whatever that new thing becomes it’s as rewarding as Cute Potato has been to me. The countless experiences it has brought to us and the people we’ve met along the way will forever hold a place in our hearts.

These days, my children often weigh in on where they’d like to go next, and rather than blog, I’ll post our travels on Instagram. We recently visited Boston for the holidays and the kids were most excited about shopping on Newbury Street to check out the trendiest shops and get drinks at Pressed Juicery. Would I rather go skating in Boston Common or check out a new-to-us museum? Of course. But then I remember just how important spending time with them is and how fleeting the years are. After a decade of taking my kids all over our home state, I’m ready for a fresh start. Here’s to new adventures!

 

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  2. Jen, I have loved your blog and passed it along to many younger friends AND grandparents in need of a place to go when little ones arrived. Your transition is the right one t make but I will miss your adventures. Much love to you and your wonderful family. Anne

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  3. Jen,
    I’m sure your next venture will be equally successful! Best to you, Ted, and your beautiful children!

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  5. OH JEN!!! I can’t believe a decade of Cute Potato has come and gone! It has been such a pleasure getting to know you and your family through Cute Potato and photographing your beautiful family through the years while I was in Maine! I love that you continue to use the images we captured together! Looking forward to seeing your adventures on IG.

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  6. Hi Jen! I have loved your blog since the beginning! I look forward to continue following you on Instagram! xo Michelle

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