#MOMLIFE WITH AUTUMN OF YOUNG, WIDOWED, STYLISH MAMA

Looking for inspiration + ideas for things to do with kids in Metro Detroit? Tried and true suggestions that real moms actually do? Here they are! We’re asking local Metro Detroit families to share their favorites, to help you find yours.

Are you following @youngwidowedstylishmama on Instagram? Autumn is a mom of two girls, a local blogger, and a widow after losing her husband to stomach cancer 10 years ago. On her lifestyle blog Young, Widowed, Stylish Mama, she shares her deeply personal and inspirational journey through life and sprinkles in a little bit of fun fashion + home decoration ideas.

Meet Autumn

Hello, my name is Autumn and I am a mom to two girls, Summer (13) & Lily (12). My life changed when my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at the age of 30. I never thought I would be a single mom. I have been a widow for the past 10 years when my husband passed away due to a genetic form of stomach cancer. I have tried to make things as normal and stable as I can. I was a counselor before becoming a stay-at-home mom and I knew consistency was the key. I have a blog and Instagram page, Young Widowed Stylish Mama, where I have talked about my journey. I have always kept my emotions and feelings to myself and started the blog as a way to connect, share, and bring awareness but also as a creative outlet for my love of fashion, etc.

Favorite Ways To Spend Family Time:

At a park
Creating
Exploring

Favorite Places To Go:

Favorite Bedtime Stories:

Favorite Recipes:

Best Park/Playground: Stoney Creek Metropark (Shelby Township)

Our favorite park is Stoney Creek Metropark. Every year my sister buys us the yearly pass as a Christmas gift and we use it all year. My kids love the waterslide, playground, walking trails, sledding hills, and bike paths.

Best Family-Friendly Annual Event: Big Bright Light Show (Rochester)

Our favorite annual event is the Big, Bright, Light Show in Downtown Rochester. We always make sure to check out the light show and see the amazing cakes displayed in the Home Bakery Window. We love just taking our time walking the street, enjoying dinner downtown, and a treat after. Can’t beat a free event! As a widow finding low-cost or free events/places to explore is important to me.

Best Winter Destination: Heritage Holidays at Wolcott Mill Historic Center (Ray)

Our absolute favorite holiday event is the Wolcott Mill Heritage Holidays. We go every year and every year my girls ask to go again. We always bring family with us and they too ask to return. It is such a great event, low cost, with a lot to do. They have a horse and carriage ride, Santa visit, a craft station, s’more making pits, ornament making, etc. and the grounds are beautifully decorated.

“Pat Yourself on the Back” Accomplishment: Leading my Family through Loss + Grief

My biggest personal accomplishment is making it 10 years without my husband. Not only have I raised two girls thus far, but also fought to get them the dyslexia services they have both required in school. It hasn’t been an easy fight, but we are making progress.

Photo credit: @youngwidowedstylishmama

About Ashley Hubbbard-Porter

Ashley Porter is a Chicago native who now calls Birmingham home. Ashley and her husband Mike and son Jake love attending local festivals, exploring Detroit’s diverse food scene, and venturing outside of Metro Detroit to enjoy the natural beauty of Michigan. With a background in Early Childhood Education, Ashley loves connecting with and supporting families in her community, which is why she is so excited to be a part of LittleGuide Detroit.