Katy M. Clark

Michigan

Writer and Contributor at Freelance

Writer, Gen X (whatever) , Experienced Bad Mom, Fulbright scholar. Bylines @thisisinsider @ScaryMommy @yourteenmag @grownandflown @honestteentalk @the_gf_letter

Articles

Goodbye To The High School Experience: What I Won’t Miss

3 weeks ago | experiencedbadmom.com | Katy M. Clark

“I just deposited lunch money into the portal for the last time,” posted one of my Facebook friends. She is the parent of a high school senior like I am. “Sniff!” she ended her post, adding the crying emoji. Sniff? I thought. Sniff!?!I’m over here thinking “Woo hoo!” Is there an emoji for a mom doing a happy dance? That’s because I hate the lunch portal. It sends constant email reminders that my daughter’s account is low when I SWEAR I just put money in it.
The Last Word - April, 2025

3 weeks ago | birminghamparent.com | Katy M. Clark

Dear Car,Let me be the first to say, “Welcome to the family!” We are very pleased that you have joined us. You are very much loved and wanted, and we looked long and hard for you. You were the right combination of price (cheap), condition (as good as possible), and safety (not exactly Fort Knox on wheels, but we tried). Car, I hope you have thick skin—I mean, paint.
My daughter was accepted into her dream college, so I thought the admissions process was behind us. I couldn't have been more wrong.

1 month ago | businessinsider.com | Katy M. Clark

I ensured my daughter was on top of the college admissions process since her freshman year. It was a stressful process, but my daughter eventually got into her dream school. I thought the stress was over, but she had much more to do in applying for scholarships. I feel like I did everything right in helping my teen get into college. We started prepping four years ago in her freshman year of high school.
My daughter was accepted into her dream college, so I thought the admissions process was behind us. I couldn't have been more wrong.

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Katy M. Clark

I ensured my daughter was on top of the college admissions process since her freshman year. It was a stressful process, but my daughter eventually got into her dream school. I thought the stress was over, but she had much more to do in applying for scholarships. I feel like I did everything right in helping my teen get into college. We started prepping four years ago in her freshman year of high school.
My daughter was accepted into her dream college, so I thought the admissions process was behind us. I couldn't have been more wrong.

1 month ago | flipboard.com | Katy M. Clark

My daughter was accepted into her dream college, so I thought the admissions process was behind us. I couldn't have been more wrong. I feel like I did everything right in helping my teen get into college. We started prepping four years ago in her freshman year of high school. That's when I encouraged her to create a spreadsheet of her activities and awards that she could add to every year. My husband and I took her on college …
Score Big With A Celly Salt Giveaway!

1 month ago | experiencedbadmom.com | Katy M. Clark

My daughter is wrapping up her senior year ice hockey season right now and this Hockey Mom is emotional. No more stinky equipment in the back of the family truckster. No more exhilarating wins or devastating losses. No more jokes with the other Hockey Moms in the lobby at the ice rink as we kill an hour before game time. (I’ll really miss my Hockey Moms!)I need something pure and happy to focus on, which is why I’m talking about Celly Salt seasoning today. Plus, I have even more good news to share.
Forget the Tooth Fairy, This Mom of Teens Needs Midlife Fairies

2 months ago | parentmap.com | Katy M. Clark

Photo: iStock My two teens outgrew the Tooth Fairy long ago. Which is good because I wasn’t exactly aces in the role. More than once I made up an excuse why the Tooth Fairy didn’t visit our house. “She got stuck in traffic,” I used. “She got dew on her wings and couldn’t fly last night. She’ll come tonight,” I said another time.
The Best Memes About Work aka The Daily Grind

2 months ago | experiencedbadmom.com | Katy M. Clark

I’ve got a secret to share. My most discerning followers may have already picked up on what it is. It’s a secret about work, aka the daily grind, that 9-to-5 life. My day job is, well, work. And I just gotta laugh about it. So my secret is that most Mondays I share a relatable work meme on my blog’s Facebook page to start the week off with a chuckle. I can tell by the likes and laughs that my fellow workers can relate.
Beat the January Blues: Keep the Celebration Going Every Month in the New Year

Jan 7, 2025 | annarborfamily.com | Katy M. Clark

After the excitement of ringing in the New Year, many of us are faced with the January blues. The festive feel of the holiday season is gone and the winter days can be gloomy. However, each month of the new year brings something to celebrate.
20 Reasons Why Christmas with Teens is Amazing

Dec 4, 2024 | parentspress.com | Katy M. Clark

“Ugh, I’m out of food coloring!” I cried, peering intothe cupboard. It was the last thing I needed to finish the Christmas cookies. Sigh. I’d already made enough runs to the store that I was on afirst name basis with Sue, the cashier from checkout lane 6. That’s when I turned to my teenage son, 17, sitting on the couch looking at his phone. “Heeeeeeey,” I said. “Could you go get me some food coloring?” “Sure,” he replied. He sprang up, grabbed the car keys, and took off.