About Jess Howard
Jess Howard is a single mother living in Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island. Jess has been writing on her personal blog hopebomb.com for eight years. Having had a few years of bad luck — including her home burning down and the break-up of a 14-year marriage — she is determined to continue to see the positive in everything and find the path to happiness and joy. Jess holds a Bachelors degree in English from the University of Victoria and several diplomas in photography and media from BCIT, but her real education has come from raising four children ages 6, 8, 10 and 12.
The Comfort and Simplicity of Small Town Life
“I was raised in the city,” writes Jess Howard. “After all four of my children were born, I moved to the country seeking out a place where they could be kids for every possible second, where I could shelter them from the economic trappings of urban life and, in turn, I could see the world new and fresh again.”
Crashing into Puberty in the Age of Facebook
I wrote on this site most recently about bullying against LGBT children. I expressed my fear of having a child bullied or be a bully. All of the things I thought, deep in my heart, that I had taught my children — empathy, understanding, acceptance — were erased by my son writing one little word on the internet.
Bullying Has Deadly Consequences
Two weeks ago a young man hung himself in his grandmother’s barn because he was being bullied at school for being gay. This happened in a small town in America. It was not the only suicide by a young gay male in the past two weeks. This kind of tragedy really eats at my heart as a parent and as a liberal minded human.
BlogHer…or Blog Blur: From Personal to Public (Relations)
When it first launched, the BlogHer conference was an inspiring place for woman (and male) bloggers to meet and connect in a friendly, informative atmosphere. Has the conference become a victim of its own success and sacrificed some of the personal appeal?
Running But Not Running Away
I made a decision earlier this year to evolve. I don’t think we are, at our core, capable of really changing. We are who we are. But we can evolve — move forward. Add to our lives and walk away from negative habits, decisions, people — anything…I decided to tackle my list one thing at a time. Running was a close second to giving my marriage a second chance.
Early Exit: Thoughts on Suicide
After the suicide of her grandfather, our writer remembers her previous attempts at suicide, and how she came to a place where she can and does talk about it, despite the shame she feels.
What the Body Endures
A woman helps her brother to deal with his addiction, then begins to change her own life.
Sasquatch Festival Changed Me
Jess Howard heads off somewhat halfheartedly for the Sasquatch Festival at the Gorge in Washington State. There, she discovers what life as a human is really all about.
On the Cusp: A Mom’s Thoughts
My oldest daughter is on the cusp of turning 13. In September she will transfer from her sweet little private school classroom to the echoing halls of middle school. This will be her second go-round at public school. The first time she just … Read more →
The Challenges and Acceptance of Raising a Child with a Learning Disability
When my oldest son entered kindergarten, strangers could understand only 15-25% of his speech. He had already been in speech therapy upwards of three times a week for several years. He was diagnosed with Apraxia when he was three years old.
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