Hosts Alek Haak-Frost and Doug Sears Jr. are joined by Watershed Voice’s resident holiday expert Steph Hightree for a very special episode of Keep Your Voice Down. After a brief NewsMatch update, the greatest trio since Garfield, Holland, and Maguire discuss elves on shelves, new and old traditions, the legitimacy of ham, Christmas cats, their favorite holiday films, and more. So grab your egg nog and glorified rice because it’s about to get real — festive.
Steph Hightree
#MomLife columnist Steph Hightree writes, “Mental Health services in Three Rivers and St. Joseph County are lacking. Oftentimes we have to travel out of town to find some relief. Now, I don’t want to take away from the amazing people who are working tirelessly in this county to change the system and support these kids, but I do want to highlight a few hurdles I have encountered throughout my time as a mom who struggles with mental health.”
Watershed Voice columnist Steph Hightree writes about the significance of her kids’ 13th and 16th birthdays in this week’s #MomLife.
Watershed Voice and #MomLife columnist Steph Hightree writes, “I’ve been driving a car for 22 years. Wow, that makes me feel super old. Anyhow, you would think that I would be a pro at teaching my daughter how to drive. Well, spoiler alert: I’m not.”
In this week’s #MomLife column, Steph Hightree makes it all about Steph, for once. (Editor’s Note: It’s about time)
In this week’s #MomLife column, Steph Hightree discusses her upbringing and how it shaped the person she is today. Being the oldest of six wasn’t easy but she survived, as did her Hanson CD. Well, mostly.
#MomLife columnist Steph Hightree laments over her daughter getting older, and what she’s doing to embrace this bittersweet time in a parent’s life.
#MomLife columnist Steph Hightree writes, “I love being a mother and a wife. I am happy to take care of my family. But I am also going to learn how to say no more often to allow for some me time.”
Watershed Voice columnist Steph Hightree writes about mental health and parenting in this week’s #MomLife.
Alek and Doug are joined by #MomLife columnist Steph Hightree, and Mark Quinn of Heart 2 Heart Autism Center to discuss the Three Rivers-based center and the services it provides. The quartet also talks about the importance of respite care, the stigma and misconceptions surrounding autism, and coping mechanisms for parents/caregivers of children who have autism and/or other cognitive disorders.
#MomLife columnist Steph Hightree writes about her son Nathan Hightree, who started sixth grade this fall, eight years after he was diagnosed as autistic, and Steph was told he would “never make it past the fifth grade” academically.
Steph is a hot mess, this is known. But it’s been a while since you’ve heard about it, and she kept receipts.
Spoiler: Disney made Steph cry.
WSV’s Steph Hightree writes, “I’ve worn many hats in my life: Daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, church board chairperson, PTO Secretary, PTO President, gymnastics mom, soccer mom, and the list goes on. But recently I have added another hat to my collection: Theater Mom.”
WSV’s Steph Hightree writes, “I promise you it will be OK. Do I expect you to feel better tomorrow? Not at all. But I do hope that you start to heal soon. You are not alone in this. Contrary to popular belief I used to be young and in love, and I have experienced heartbreak myself. I may not be an expert but I can help you navigate this new normal.”
“The famous New Year’s Eve ball has fallen in New York (and in Three Rivers), and it is now January 2022. Typically this is the time where people make New Year’s resolutions and use the phrase ‘New year, new me.’ Well, I’m here to tell you that this year I promise to be the same hot mess Steph you have come to know and love.”
#MomLife is a window that looks into all things motherhood and family. Steph Hightree published 22 columns in 2021 with plans for many more next year. Here are Steph’s Top 5 favorite columns.
Doug and Alek wanted to discuss all things holidays, and felt it was necessary to bring in an expert, so we called Mrs. Christmas herself, Steph Hightree. These three wise people discuss Steph’s lack of egg nog experience, ridiculous Hallmark Christmas movie plots, determining whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not (it certainly is), surviving Elf on the Shelf, and their favorite Christmas songs.