Love and Laughter During the Dreaded Nighttime Routine
Recently, I decided to switch things up a bit. I made a promise to try not to stress and be calm with my words.
How Comics Helped My Kid Love Reading
When I was a kid, my dad read to me every night. By age five, I was traveling nightly through the worlds of "The Hobbit" or "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". Even afternoon naps would start ...
When I Buried My Mom, I Let Go of Something Else With Her
This was not the fury of the adolescent and the frustrated mother anymore. It was a meeting of two grown-ups.
Our First Father-Daughter Road Trip Was Escaping a Hurricane
So what if I had to rhyme words with her for hours and have contests to see which of us could spot more school buses for 300 miles?
My Kids Hate Led Zeppelin Despite My Best Efforts
I so want to pass the torch, this sword of gold. I want to give them this tune. I want to give all of them. They're not having it. Yet.
What "Fun and Easy" Says About Our Expectations of Childhood
Perhaps we shouldn’t let “fun and easy” be the only two deciding factors for the activities we choose to do with children.
One Day, Your Kid is Going to Make You Sorry You Defended Them
It's a parent's nature to defend their kid through and through. But the truth is, sometimes we're going to regret going to bat for them.
The French Method of Education You Should Bring Into Your Parenting
The underlying principles of Freinet education can be easily applied at home.
A Better Way to Understand the Nuances of Mental Illness
It occurred to me I had quite literally been seeing things differently than everyone else. Or at least, different from the way I was supposed to see.
How Occam’s Razor Revolutionized My Parenting
As an adult and educator, Occam’s razor made complete sense to me. But as a mother, I couldn’t make it stick.
My Girl Is Outgrowing Me, and This Is How It's Supposed to Be
The distance widens, the bridge narrows, and I ache with a gentle wonder at it all. But this is how it's supposed to be.
How I Overcame Failure, Loss, and Unmet Expectations and Learned to Dream Again
How did I marry contentment and progress? I achieved balance in my life using the following four step process.
A Trick of the September Light
The tears are nothing new, as much a part of me as my freckles are now, but the propensity for them is always greater in September.
Why You Might Consider Having a Doula in Your Corner
Doulas can offer more than just emotional support and can help new mothers have control over what happens to them in childbirth.
The Thing You Can Do From Day One to Shape Your Baby's Brain
If talking to our children can literally "shape their brains" and give them a greater start in life, how can we help?
5 Reasons You're Spending too Much on Groceries and How to Fix it
There are ways to slash that grocery bill even if you don’t have time to cook from scratch every night or spend hours collecting coupons.
A Couple’s Guide to Complaining
Effective complaining enables spouses to engage in conflict and achieve resolutions that criticism puts out of reach.
Is 20 the New 15? Why Today's Teens Are Lacking Socially
Teens today are less inclined than their teen predecessors were to take on adult responsibilities. One suspected cause? Cell phones and social media.
The Terrible Tale of the Best Gift My Husband Ever Gave Me
Forget the rule of thumb established by florists, jewelers, and Hallmark since time immemorial, that household appliances do not make romantic gifts.
Of course, there are reams written about the ubiquitous syndrome of “mom guilt.” But what about dads? Are they immune?
What It Really Means To Love Like A Mother
Mothering is so much bigger than grocery lists and school projects. Mothering happens when the child in front of you needs deep and unconditional love.
It's Easy to Ask Why I Didn't Leave the First Time
I said it only takes one time for him to lay his hands on you for you to know he is abusive. Until it actually happened to me.
How Nonverbal Cues Enhance Communication With Your Kids
Evidence suggests that nonverbal communication has a great impact on kids’ development.
6 Kids Books for Families With Food Allergies
As the mom of a kid with food allergies, I know how stressful a food allergy diagnosis can be. These books can make it easier, though.