Johanna Kwartler
Born and raised in St. Augustine, Johanna moved to Jacksonville to attend UNF and never left! Now this former elementary school teacher turned Stay at Home Mom to Hudson and Callie, and wife of 13 years to Matt, enjoys life at the beach. Johanna enjoys being room mom and volunteering at the kid’s school as PTA President. She also in an avid runner, and loves working out at The Gym Jax!
Thoughts From the Car: The ‘Middle Years’ of Parenting
I'm in the "middle years" of parenting. Somehow, I got here without even blinking. I went very quickly from two in diapers, to two in preschool, to two in elementary school, and now with...
What We Have Learned From Playing Competitive Sports
Straight to the dance studio from school, then straight home to do homework to get to the soccer field on time. Long drive to places far away and weekend hotel stays. This is our...
What I’ve Learned From Having Kids in Both Public and Private School
Growing up, my husband and I went to both public and private schools. I started out in public school for elementary and middle school and moved to private for high school. He was the...
How to Support Your School and PTA When You Can’t Be in the Building
Crazy times we are living in, right? Over the last six months, we have been quarantined, isolated, watched people suffer and lose their lives, endured virtual schooling, have had social issues galore, seen the world...
Dear Teacher: I’m Grateful for You Now More Than Ever
It seems like there is a day for everything — National Daughters Day, National Sons Day, heck, even National Pets Day. Don't get me wrong — I love my daughter, son, and my Golden...
Why We Travel Without Our Children
Fifteen years ago, a 25-year-old Johanna met a 27-year-old Matt, and we became fast friends. We spent nearly every day together for the next several months, getting to know each other and learning all...
Not as Bad as It Seems: Thoughts on Turning 40
This summer, I turned 40. There, I said it. I turned 40. I wasn't the one who had a fab girls' trip and embraced every second of the new decade. I was anti-celebration. Didn't...
Charity Spotlight: Jacksonville Humane Society
Originally, when I first thought of an animal shelter, I pictured a place full of sadness and last chances — the proverbial end of the road for many animals and once-loved pets. But the...
Tips for Traveling to Chicago with Kids
After catching the "Big City Bug" traveling to NYC last year for spring break, our kids were begging to visit another big city. Being city lovers ourselves, we happily agreed and decided to travel...
Discovering Your Child’s Inner Athlete with Good Lad Soccer
My son has always had a need for speed. He was born with a serious case of FOMO, and from the day he figured out how to walk, he was off and running! Fast...
#MomLife: Finding Balance Between School and Extracurricular Activities
Raise your hand if you feel like you run around CRAZY from the moment you wake up until the moment you lay your head on the pillow. You can't deny that our lives...
Live Like a Local: Jacksonville by Water
Jacksonville is often referred to as the "river city," and for good reason. With the St. Johns River flowing through Downtown Jacksonville, the banks of Ortega, San Marco and into Mandarin, as well as...