Our contributing authors

Dr. Sangeetha Sivaraman is an obstetrician and gynecologist in Bangalore, India. She has spent time living in the US as a teenager and did NICU training at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. She and her husband, an orthopedic doctor, are into fitness, including CrossFit, yoga and Zumba, which she taught for 2 years. Her vision of motherhood and pregnancy was transformed when she delivered preterm and also suffered post partum depression, and survived them both!

Trained as a lawyer, David also has a masters degree in International Affairs from the School Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. In addition to his work for Genes2Teens, he is an advisor to a podcast on financial literacy for kids. He is a father of 2 preschool girls, currently living in Switzerland where he works in the financial services industry, but that could change at any minute. He is British, married to a Canadian, which should in theory make for a very polite household, but definitely doesn’t in reality. He is stubborn as a mule about finding the time for the things he loves to do: writing, triathlon, and photography, but is only partly successful at doing so, and anyway, being a dad is the best hobby anyway, right?

Dr. Sadia Bashir is a ob-gyn. She got her MBBS degree from Allama Iqbal Medical College in Lahore and did post graduate studies in obstetrics and gynecology from College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSP), Pakistan. She has been working as a consultant obstetrician in different districts of Pakistan. She is a mom of three adorable kids who are her best friends. She likes to read books, spend time in nature, go out for long drives with her husband and bake cakes for her family in her spare time.

Parul is an Indian expat currently living in Bangkok, Thailand. She previously wrote for the Momspresso website before joining Genes2Teens. She's an engineer by qualification with a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Jodhpur engineering college and a postgraduate certificate in digital marketing from Purdue University. She's a mom-of-twins by profession, writer by choice, foodie by heart! You will either find her in her kitchen experimenting with recipes or scribbling down her thoughts and experiences. When she is off her mom-duties, she can be found exploring new eateries around Bangkok. When she finds a moment to relax by herself, she loses herself reading paperbacks.

Brandi recently completed her BS (Hons) Biology and Health Science from the Open University in the UK. Before joining Genes2Teens as a writer, she wrote for Familiesonline.co.uk. She is originally from the United States, but now lives permanently in Scotland with her 3 crazy kids. She has 2 boys and a girl who is entirely too similar to her mother. In the little spare time she has, she likes to create digital art and write.

Jill has homeschooled 6 children and has put her experience to good use as a sought-after writer on parenting, homeschooling, babies, and pregnancy. She lives in Alice, Texas.

Jessy was born and raised in the Philippines and has a degree in education from one of the state universities in Manila. Although a professional teacher, Jessy chooses to be a stay-at-home mom and focus on her kids. She is a hands-on mom to 2 older kids aged 13 and 9 who are currently into online distance learning and is in charge of homeschooling her 3-year-old preschooler. Jessy firmly believes her children need presence and not presents, at least from her.

Sarah lives in Southern California with her husband, her dog, and her 2 daughters and has a bachelor's degree in Social Work from California State University, Los Angeles. Madelyn is 4; she is a people pleaser who finds time to paint every day. Hannah is 2; she is a willful child whose mood can always be improved with music. She is 34 and spends her time writing, folding laundry and preparing meals no one seems to like. She loves true crime podcasts and eating alone in her car.

Jason Dugre is an actor, writer, comedian, and a parent with a BFA from Emerson College in Performing Arts/Film. He has written for National Lampoon and written and performed all over the country for 2 renowned comedy troops, The Riot Act and TROOP! He's also acted in television programs, films and commercials and written and produced 2 short films for CryptTV. He's also a stay-at-home dad, and when he’s not teaching his kid long division or making him a very bland lunch, he loves watching the most disturbing horror movies, playing basketball, and doing crossword puzzles. Because life is all about balance. If he were an animal, he would be a humuhumunukunuku apua’a, a colorful fish that lives in Hawai’i. He still has dreams of one day becoming a ninja.

Margaret Williams holds a bachelors degree in early childhood education and works in a consultative role, supporting school and preschool leaders to deliver high quality early years programs. She is an Australian book-obsessed mother of 4 biological children as well as a foster parent. Margaret loves being a life-long learner and is currently studying for a masters qualification in educational leadership. Margaret and her husband form a dynamic team and their family motto is "work hard, play hard," a motto that they certainly live up to.

As a professional content writer, Salome Njeri offers ghostwriting, copywriting and blogging services. She works closely with businesses to create high-quality content that gains social media traction and drives traffic. When she’s not on her computer, you’ll likely find her watching movies with her family or in the kitchen trying out a new recipe. She is also the mother of a new baby.

Nicole is senior editor of Genes2Teens as well as manager of website development. She's an experienced web developer and editor with a PhD from the University of Chicago. Her thesis was entitled "Motherhood in the Mother of the World: Continuity and change of reproductive concepts and practices in Egypt from ancient to modern times" and focused on childbirth as well as fertility and post-natal practices. She has experience in developing online educational websites and courses for various age groups, teaching at all age levels, and producing and managing study abroad programs for teenagers and college age students. She is raising a toddler in a bicultural, bilingual household with 5 adults from the age of 26 to 87. You could call it parenting by committee!

Jesse Bereta is a freelance writer out of Nanaimo, BC, Canada. Professionally trained at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) as a Red Seal Chef, Jesse turned to writing as a way to spend more time at home with his children. From being a full-time single father to becoming a step-dad, he knows the ropes of parenting from all angles.

Originally from South Africa, Renee has worked as a nanny with different families in South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Germany caring for children from newborns to twin teens. She currently works as a governess for a Russian family in Moscow. On top of her child raising duties, she is currently an English major at the Open University in the UK and has a diploma in editing and proofreading.

With degrees in educational psychology and teaching from Stellenbosch University, Chelsea makes her home in the Cape Town area of South Africa. She has worked as an English teacher and department head. She currently serves as a subject coordinator at a school.

Chantelle received her bachelors degree in education and English at the University of Johannesburg and taught for 6 years before starting Skidz, a company focused on early childhood development. She is currently furthering her studies in psychology at the University of South Africa and has training in dance education. Chantelle often writes and edits articles about different aspects of parenting and child development, and also enjoys presenting seminars on these topics. Her biggest and most important job is being a mom to her 3 children.

Amanda is a big-hearted, determined, coffee-drinking mom to 6 young children. She spends her free time absorbed in gardening and fitness, taking pictures and attempting clean eating, all while spreading autism awareness, encouraging adoption and foster care, championing the underdog, and of course, working with her chickens and goats. She is an ordained pastor, local church music director, and freelance writer.

Donna Reese is a nurse with extensive experience in pediatrics. She has worked as a family nurse practitioner (with an MSN from Widener University) in her local community health clinic and as a school nurse working with children of all ages. In addition, Donna has been a nurse on 2 pediatric hospital units. Now employed as a freelance health content writer, this mother of 2 daughters thoroughly enjoys working from home in the state of Pennsylvania. When not creating health publications and blogging, Donna enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and large extended family, including 13 children.

Lilian is a clinician licensed to practice clinical medicine and has also worked as a medical representative. She got her diploma in clinical medicine and surgery from Mt. Kenya University. She is currently managing editor of Genes2Teens and previously worked as managing editor of the AfroMum website. She lives in Kenya with her son, whom she refers to fondly as "little explorer." She muses that her life's purpose revolves around exploring life as a parent and telling the story. She's a firm believer in shared experiences that connect humans across the globe.

Amanda is a classically-trained chef who studied at L'Academie de Cuisine, with professional restaurant experience that includes menu development, kitchen training, and managing new concepts. Amanda also studied kinesiology and psychology. She continues to educate herself on nutrition and wellness to help families develop healthy eating habits. She lives in Vermont with her husband and 3 kids where she enjoys creating wholesome recipes with family and sharing them with the world. Some of her favorite foods include acorn squash, sushi, S'mores, and Praram Long Song. If she's not in the kitchen, she's walking her dog in the woods or at one of her kids' countless sporting events.

Tiffany has a degree and several certifications in Early Childhood Education and Teaching. She has worked as a preschool teacher and with adaptive technology for the blind and visually impaired. She has her own educational consultancy company that provides services for students and families facing various learning challenges. Born in the Philippines and reared in the Eastern United States,Tiffany was a simple girl from the country with big ambitions and who possessed an imagination that would not quit. Now, at nearly 50, Tiffany’s writing and creativity is seasoned by her life experiences and her journey as a happily married middle-aged mom of 3 including a son who is autistic. She currently resides in Northern Colorado with her family.

Stella Rodgers is a registered psychologist and teacher. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a postgraduate diploma in early childhood teaching from Edith Cowan University in Australia. She also has a master's in education from the University of Western Australia. Stella has worked in a range of roles specializing in behavior consultancy, systemic behavior therapy, counseling, and mental health across metropolitan Perth, regional, and remote regions of Western Australia. She is a trained facilitator in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Circle of Security, Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention, and Youth Mental Health First Aid. Stella is an active member of the Australian Association for Infant Mental Health. In 2019, Stella received the Anika Foundation Scholarship to support research into adolescent depression and suicide and completed a study tour of the application of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention systems in schools internationally. Stella is an active parent of a toddler and spends her spare time playing at the beach with her daughter and sheepdog. She is passionate about trauma-informed practice, attachment and coaching with adults to best support young people in our schools.

Amy is a middle school English teacher and freelance writer who believes in the life-giving power of the written word. With a bachelors degree in English and creative writing from the University of Central Florida and endless notebooks to fill, she writes about marriage, motherhood, and the faith that keeps her going each day. Amy is the grateful mama of a beautiful 3 year old girl and the step-mama of an incredible 9 year old boy. When she's not chasing her toddler around, she's either reading or writing, most likely while drinking an enormous cup of coffee.

Claire is a family physician with an MBBS from the University of London and adoptive mom of a cheeky 5 year old boy. She lives in London. When not parenting, working, or writing, she can be found gardening or in Ethiopia.

Having walked through a season of unexpected divorce, becoming a single mom, remarrying, and going to college for the first time at 38, Susan's experiences have enabled her to help others walk through their own seasons. Susan has more than 15 years as a virtual administrative assistant. She loves adventures in new places, cookies, coffee, and expensive chocolates, and wants to work for just one week as a sous chef in a French restaurant. She resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida but is ready to move to Waterville, Ireland at a moment's notice.

Briana holds a bachelor's degree in Nutritional Sciences from Pennsylvania State University and an associates degree in Communication Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She owns a small stationery business and can often be found behind a camera or sketchbook. Briana lives in the Northeastern United States with her husband and their 3 nature-loving boys. Briana believes reading, wellness, and nature are the most valuable resources we have, and strives to share that with the next (and current) generation through writing and illustration.

Lesley is a mother of 2 who lives in the Cape Winelands of South Africa. With a commitment to lifelong learning, she recently completed her master's degree in psychology. As a Search and Teach practitioner for NILD (National Institute for Learning Development) South Africa, she empowers young children experiencing difficulties with developmental pre-reading skills. Lesley is registered with the Council for Counsellors South Africa and offers coaching and counseling that addresses various life issues. She is the author of several books for children that focus on emotions and life skills.  As a mom to a child with a complex health condition, she uses her own experience to inform and advocate for others in similar situations. Lesley believes in the power of community and that connecting with others helps us make sense of the world. She relies on tea and chocolate to survive parenthood with her sense of humor intact.

Elizabeth has a bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family Studies from Brigham Young University and a masters in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is also a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE). She is married to Will, and they have 2 sweet little kids, a toddler boy and a baby girl. She loves learning, growing, and writing, especially about parenting and family life.

Kereth has a bachelor's degree in education from Edith Cowan University along with a graduate diploma in counseling and a certificate in education. She is currently completing her masters Education (Trauma Informed Practice). A sassy individual with a passion for life, Kereth has had a colorful life, working a teacher and educational advisor. including 11 years in Germany and the UK. Now settled in Fremantle, Western Australia with her husband and 2 teenagers, Kereth is a teaching and learning coordinator at SMYL Community College working with disadvantaged young people. Her personal interests include child and adolescent mental health, developmentally appropriate and gentle curriculum for all young people.

Olivia Bivens is a 25 year old mother of 3 and wife. As the creator of Liv Black N Bold, a brand and blog, she has immersed herself in doing work that centers Black nonmen, Black babies, and children. Other than her social commentary writings, she is also a children’s book author, student, and full spectrum doula.

Nabila has worked with families who have children with special needs for more than 2 decades at the Rising Sun Education and Wel­fare Society where she was recently named CEO. She has an MSc in psychology and an MPhil/MS in special needs education. She is also a columnist for the Daily Times, a leading English language newspaper in Pakistan. Despite her professional degrees and experience, parenting 2 children has been a roller coaster ride for her and she is not shy to share her mind boggling yet enriching experiences as a mother with others.

The Genes2Teens Editorial board is responsible for the editorial pages and content on the website. This includes compiled articles, editorials, guest posts, and social media roundups published on the website. The team comprises a group of globally diverse moms and dads who have professional experience in the topics at hand.

Five shared sons and into her third marriage, Lisa has a lot to say about blended families. Lisa n is a keynote speaker, podcaster, business humorist and trainer. She brags that keeping her ex's as friends helps a lot when she needs big items moved. For two decades she wrote, produced and performed in an award-winning comedy troupe. She also has 2 TEDx Talks released this year. .

Debbie is a licensed member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy practicing in Liverpool, England with a Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling. She uses play and art therapy with the children and young people she treats. She also has owned a children's book company and storytelling business and provides management support for a primary school. In her spare time, she is a foodie who writes about food.

Josh is a dad from Florida, but now lives in the somewhat less sunny southwest of England. He and his wife have six kids together, five boys and one girl. The oldest is a teenager now and the youngest just learned how to use the toilet. Both of them work at home and also homeschool all the kids. When he finds the time, he enjoys being a Cub Scout leader, walking in the woods, and going to the gym.

Linda has a wealth of experience in informal children's learning, as a curator at the Los Angeles Zoo and High Desert Museum. With a masters degree in education, she has taught teachers how to teach science in early childhood at Southern Oregon University. She served on the Board of Directors for the California Association for the Education of Young Children and the as President of the Central Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children, advocating for quality early childhood experiences. Linda is originally from Southern California and now lives in Oregon with her 3 adopted children. She is a single mom with a grown daughter and 2 boys, 7 and 18. Some of her favorite things to do are play catch with her youngest, watch her teen play football, and go out for sushi with her eldest. One of her favorite nuggets of wisdom is that blessings are a gift, but that doesn’t mean they are always easy.