Three of Ashely Brandenburg’s kids are already at school when Ashely and her youngest son, Leo Miller, 4, wait for the school bus on their front porch. Ashely only gets a few one-on-one moments with each kid throughout the day. “This is one of my favorite times of the day,” she said.

Ashely walks Leo to the school bus. On August 26, Ashely moved herself and her four kids into her mom’s house after leaving an emotionally abusive relationship and unhealthy parenting environment behind. “I want them to feel loved,” said Ashely. “I had to defend the kids as much as I had to defend myself and I was getting so broke down.”

Ashely guides Leo onto a school bus.

Ashely studies her Bible during a rare moment where the dining room table is otherwise empty and her kids are gone. “These scriptures are really helping me today,” Ashely said. “I just found out I was denied for unemployment.”

Ashely tries to soothe her son Jace, 5, during a tantrum in her home. Before her separation, Ashely and her ex-partner used hostile language during fights. Now, she is trying to model better coping and communication skills. “Breathe, Jace,” she said. “We’re gonna breathe.”

Jace Brandenburg, 6, Karma Brandenburg, 10, Leo Miller, 4 and family friend, Amarianna Fizer, 3, jump on the trampoline in Ashely Brandenburg’s backyard.

Ashely styles her Leo’s hair while he eats breakfast before school.

Ashely and her family say a prayer before dinner at their home. God has always played a major role in Ashely’s life, and recently her relationship with religion has been especially grounding. “God is my councilor, my spiritual father, my Heavenly Father, my everything,” she said.

After her kids go to bed, Ashely and her mother, Michelle Lillard, share quality time together. Both thought living together would be stressful and would hurt their relationship, but it has only brought them closer. “It filled all the areas that needed to be filled up,” said Michelle. “I smile a lot more.”

As nighttime falls, Jace and Karma play on a trampoline in their backyard.

Ashely and Michelle console Ashely’s daughter, Roxy Brandenburg, 9, after she fell and hurt her finger. Moving in with her mom has given Ashely a second hand in parenting. “She has been a help every single moment. She doesn’t think twice,” said Ashely.

Ashely watches television with Leo before bed at their home. Before the move, Ashely and her ex-partner both worked nights and couldn’t spend as much time with their kids as Ashely wanted to. “I want to stop and take time out of my day and make them feel important,” said Ashely.