Katy M. Clark

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

[Katy M. Clark @ExperBadMom]

Me: Boom! Drops the mic!
12yo: Nobody says that anymore Mom.
Me: Oh? What do they say?
12yo: I'm not telling you.

[Abby Heugel @AbbyHasIssues]

Please arrive at your appointment 15 minutes early so you can fill out the same forms you filled out online and then be asked the same questions when the doctor actually sees you.

[Katy M. Clark @ExperBadMom]

My 19 year-old daughter is a camp counselor this year. She brought home her training papers yesterday and left them on the kitchen counter. You’ll be happy to know that after looking through them (because I’m nosy) I discovered that they call a poo poo in the pool “Code Brown.”

[Katy M. Clark @ExperBadMom]

@ebww @daytondailynews Well deserved! Love her!

[SharrellAnne @SharrellAnne2]

Last night, I made a simple request on X. I asked if anybody visiting Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day would stop by Alan’s grave and leave a photo for our family.

What happened next honestly caught me off guard.

By this afternoon, dozens of Americans from all walks of life had made the walk to Section 60 to visit SSG Alan W. Shaw. Veterans. Families. Complete strangers. People who had never met Alan, but chose to honor him anyway.

For one day on social media, people put aside the constant noise and negativity and came together for something bigger than themselves. My notifications filled with photos, kind messages, prayers, and stories from people honoring not just Alan, but so many of our fallen heroes.

I don’t think people fully understand what moments like this mean to Gold Star families. The fear is never just losing them. It’s losing them slowly over time as the world moves on and fewer people remember their name.

But today showed me that Alan will never be forgotten.

After years of watching social media reward some of the worst parts of humanity, today gave me a reminder that the good is still out there too.

Thank you to every single person who stopped by to visit Alan today, said his name, shared his story, or took a moment to honor the fallen.

This right here is the America Alan knew and loved enough to fight and die for.

And today, y’all showed us all that it’s still here and it’s still worth fighting for. 🇺🇸

[SharrellAnne @SharrellAnne2]

When I made this post, I truly believed it was a long shot. Living in Arkansas, we’re not always able to make the trip to Arlington National Cemetery every Memorial Day, and there’s always a little guilt that comes with that.

But seeing complete strangers offer to visit Alan, leave flowers, take photos, and say his name when we can’t be there ourselves has honestly overwhelmed me in the best way possible.

This comment section restored a little piece of my faith in humanity today. I’ve always been proud to be an American, but tonight I’m even prouder knowing there are still so many people who refuse to let our fallen be forgotten. 🇺🇸

[Gary Sinise @GarySinise]

Today is our nations Memorial Day. Enjoy your day and take a moment to remember the true meaning of this day. A day to pay our respects to all those who have given their lives in our country's defense. God bless these brave heroes and their families.

[Katy M. Clark @ExperBadMom]

Sharing my latest essay on Business Insider: My son moved home after college, but now he's engaged and has plans to move out. I'm glad I get to live with him one last time. https://t.co/ysPSrvcVew via @businessinsider

[Lady Lawya @Parkerlawyer]

In 1998, I was fired from my corporate job while 9 months pregnant because and I quote, “my priorities would be elsewhere after the baby is born.”

The lawyer I hired told me I didn’t have a case because discrimination like “that” was almost impossible to prove.

So I got pissed.

Took the LSAT. Went to law school. Passed the bar. Had 3 more kids.

Twelve years later, another woman from that same company was fired for the same reason. She sued them for a million dollars, and won, partly because I had kept every piece of evidence from what happened to me years prior demonstrating a systemic pattern of discrimination against women.

That company no longer exists. My law practice is thriving. And that baby they said would derail my priorities? She’s a brilliant attorney now working at my firm.

Turns out my priorities were indeed, elsewhere.

[signüll @signulll]

“can i start you off with an appetizer, maybe 30 tortillas?”

“god no, i can’t eat that many tortillas!”

“how about if cut them up into triangles, fry them in seed oil, & serve them with some salsa?”

“omg that sounds delightful”.

[Katy M. Clark @ExperBadMom]

@LoveLetter2Food @VitaminShoppe Congratulations!🎊🎉

[Katy M. Clark @ExperBadMom]

The Crash on Netflix is sad and infuriating. I can’t believe Mackenzie turned to her lawyer at the end of her interview in prison and was like hey did I do okay and show enough remorse? Oh wait I guess I can believe it cuz she’s crazy!

[Abby Heugel @AbbyHasIssues]

There’s a time and a place for camping. That time is never and that place is a hotel with indoor plumbing and room service.

[Variety @Variety]

Grogu walks the red carpet at “The Mandalorian and Grogu” premiere in LA

[Katy M. Clark @ExperBadMom]

Me: *calls dental insurance *
Me: Yes, hi is my daughter covered for an exam and X-rays next month at her general dentist?
Dental insurance: Yes she is. But don’t take our word for it.
Me:
Dental insurance:
Me:

[Katy M. Clark @ExperBadMom]

Easy Ways to Have a Sensational Summer https://t.co/HK2Nuvi0y9 via @experbadmom

[Katy M. Clark @ExperBadMom]

8 Summer Camps That Might Actually Make Your Teen Put Down Their Phone https://t.co/eYYyUEDvNl via @experbadmom

[Mike Hoffmann @MikeHoffmann]

The parenting books don’t do enough to warn you about the fact that work ends at 5:00, the school gets out at 2, and soccer starts at 3:30.

[Christine Rousselle @crousselle]

Just saw someone post on FB about her daughter's DORM ROOM REGISTRY

we have lost the plot

[Katy M. Clark @ExperBadMom]

@sarahndipitous @garyvee My 22yo son would be there every day

[𐌁𐌉Ᏽ 𐌕𐌉𐌌𐌉 @OrevaZSN]

Ever since I was a little boy, I knew I wanted to log into Microsoft Authenticator 47 times a day.