Conversations

Are There Child Traffickers in Ikea? The Fine Balance of Parenting, Paranoia, and Preparedness

We are parenting in a time of paranoia. What are the statistics about abductions and sex trafficking in our current culture? It's not as dire as you'd think.

Charting a New Course for My Sensitive Girl

It is not my job to tell my daughter who to be. She already feels the world speaking to her, telling her that her sensitivity is undesirable.

All-Embracing Ways to Parent a Shy Kid

Researchers have found that shyness is part of a child’s temperament and can be quite persistent. So how do you support your shy child?

How to Help Your Kid Conquer Feelings of Disappointment

The line between setting a child up for success and protecting him from disappointment is hazy. Yet the alternative is not only impossible, it backfires.

These Are the Years of Looking Down

The early days of motherhood pull your gaze away from the stars and downward onto chores, and babies, and messes to manage.

My Best-Laid Plans to Raise the Revolution

Recent events have me thinking about my daughters, wondering about all those proclamations I've made over these past ten years that I've been raising girls.

Acknowledging The Unknowns Of Raising Kids With A Smartphone In Your Hand

With the average adult spending four hours a day on their phone, our own use of technology – and concessions about overuse – are also slowly coming to light.

The Savings Conscious Parent's Primer on 529 Plans

By starting college savings before your child is out of diapers, you can turn relatively small savings into a tuition check.

This House is Not a Democracy: Parenting With Love and Ultimatums

For our kids, it’s about trusting us, the parents, to make the decision that is in their best interest, even when they can’t see it.

I'd Rather Bathe a Feral Cat Than Plan This IEP Meeting

Do not get me wrong, I would walk through fire for my son. That would be easier, actually, because at least then I would know the outcome.

If I Put Off Cleaning Because "They're Only Young Once" I'm Going to Die Under This Pile of Laundry

We are constantly reminded that no one has ever said they wish they had spent more time doing housework, and less time with the kids. But that's crap.

Parents Who Tragically Lose Their Kid Need Love and Support, Not Criticism

When a child dies in a manner that theoretically could have been prevented, people need someone to blame. But the parents need love and support, not judgement.

To The Mom In The Bathroom Stall Next To Me: Thank You

There are many difficult experiences parents go through with their children, but the horrors of potty training can be truly traumatizing.

Why You Should Take a Maternity Leave as a Stay-At-Home Mom

The first few weeks of having a newborn should be full of rest, quiet, and bonding. That's hard to achieve if you have other kids and a house to care for.

Five Things Guaranteed to Happen At Your Kid’s School Performance

It’s the big day. It’s time for your budding ballerina, actor, or singer to take center stage. This is how it's going to go.

Dropping Everything to Read Since Ramona Said it Was Cool

When my three-year-old brings me a book, or two, or lately, a canvas bin full of books, I drop everything and read.

5 Things People Will Say If You Decide to Hyphenate Your Kids Last Name

If you’re a fellow hyphenating parent or are considering becoming one, you’ll definitely hear some, if not all, of these gems.

The Woman Who Disappeared

I had disappeared, and I didn’t know where I might be found. "I just want to feel like me again," I said, tearfully, two weeks into motherhood.

Cars, Confessions, and a College Kid Who Lives at Home

My son bought a new car. Well, that’s almost true. My husband co-signed the documents with the understanding that my son would be responsible for gas, maintenance, insurance, and monthly payments. ...

If Two Pink Lines Instill Panic Before Joy, Just Hold On

I wept in fear and surprise when I saw those two pink lines on a pregnancy test three years ago. So, too, did I think mournfully of my independence.

Could My Kids Actually Be Benefitting From My Divorce?

I feel compelled to focus not on the disastrous, negative effects my divorce may be having on my children, but rather on how it might be serving them well.

There Are No French Fries at the Masada Visitor Center

When our family takes trips now, no matter how packed our touring schedule might be, I make sure to bring a few familiar items from home.

Am I Raising My Kid to Be Too Sensitive?

In my attempt to raise an empathetic child, have I trained her to scan for trauma where there is none?