About Erin
Welcome to Parents Who Write, formerly Life Beyond Parenting. I'm Erin P.T. Canning, and I'm an author, editor, podcaster, wife, and mother of two young boys. I'm also an avid reader of a variety of genres, a former Japanese language instructor, and a perpetual learner.
But I had forgotten most of those aspects of myself.
After I delivered my youngest child in 2018, I unexpectedly became a stay-at-home parent. As grateful as I am to have had so much time with my little guys, I didn't realize until a year later that my anxiety had gotten worse, as well as my yelling.
In order to break the cycle of emotional abuse I endured as a child, my husband and I embarked on peaceful parenting. I still struggle with my anxiety, self-regulation, emotional triggers, and filling my own cup.
However, as I have told my children, I will never stop trying to learn and improve myself to become an even better person and momma.
Before becoming an at-home parent, I worked as an editor on publications that covered topics such as child endangerment, hate crimes, community engagement, and tolerance. I also earned my MA in Writing from Johns Hopkins and BA in Literature from The American University.
About PWW
I started Parents Who Write because I invested all of my time and energy on my children, so much so that I lost touch with who I was in addition to being a mother.
Parents Who Write is my way of sharing my life's journey as I remember who I was, embrace who I am now, and nurture who I want to become. I also want to be honest about my struggles with mental health and parenting and share the resources that have helped me along the way.
Moreover, I hope to help other parents share their stories and struggles, to remember life beyond parenting, to feel heard and validated, and to connect with kindred spirits.
If you would like to share your story on PWW, have questions about resources, or are interested in a partnership, please contact me.
Background photo by jo vangrinderbeek on Unsplash.
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We all deserve a safe space where we can return to being just ourself. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Use this personal guide to help you
- make time for yourself,
- identify what to write about, and
- get started writing without your inner judge silencing you.