New Traditions Born After Spending Baby’s First Christmas in the Hospital
Something about being in kindred company at a children’s hospital on Christmas both humbled us and made us feel extremely grateful.
Finding My Shoes and Freeing Cinderella
Leafing through old albums, I am stirred by memories that evidence so many manifestations of myself: the student, musician, wife, writer, Mom.
Apparently, grizzlies are crap when it comes to the Daddy game. With a range of as much as 1,800 square miles, their biggest issue in this department appears to be absenteeism. Dad is always busy a...
This is a submission in our monthly contest. November’s theme is Gratitude. If you're like me, you overuse the phrase “I’m sorry.” I apologize for everything, at least I used to. I apologized for ...
Keeping Guilt in the Family: Why Parents Shouldn’t Toss out the Guilt
What is so good about guilt, and why I am the seemingly lone parent out there that thinks we shouldn’t banish guilt?
Notes From a Slacker Lunch Packer
Sometimes I scan the classroom at lunchtime to see if any other kid has a Ziploc baggie and I feel a pathetic sense of relief when I spot one.
The Simple Question That Brings Our Family Closer Every Single Night
Whether we find ourselves happy to be at that table, or barely able to look each other in the eye, at some point someone asks this question.
How Playing Favorites Among Your Kids May Play Out
Do you ever play favorites with your kids? Maybe you spend more time with one child, are more affectionate to one over another, give additional privileges to certain children, or discipline your ch...
10 Reasons I am Grateful for My Teenagers
In honor of Thanksgiving and the season of gratitude, here are 10 reasons I am grateful to be the parent of a teenager.
If Emojis Are the Modern World’s Hieroglyphics, What Message Are We Sending?
If emojis are the union of art and communication, we must continue to evaluate the message we leave behind.
I Count My Blessings Every Day
I count my blessings everyday, all three of them, because they made me a mom. They gave me a role that is so unforgiving and yet so wonderful at the same time. I could not imagine my life any other...
I Let My Kids Do Whatever They Wanted for a Whole Day and Here's What Happened
For the rest of this one day, I would allow my kids to do whatever they wanted. Let nature run its course, so to speak.
Create New Travel Traditions With a Holiday Adventure
Maybe this is the year to do things a bit differently. Give your kids a new sense of what the holidays can feel like and take the road less traveled.
Waking up to my sweet, smiling boy, I realize it wasn't a dream. This is my reality. My child is warm and giggly and oh so affectionate. So why isn't this enough? As my husband pours Jack's morning...
The Spectrum Is Full Circle: My Journey as an Autism Mom
One year ago, I existed in an pre-autism diagnosis ulterior universe. I knew that my eldest, Henry, was a “late-talker.” I just didn’t know why, yet.
The Final Sex Talk Before Sending My Kids to College
The word “consent” needs to be part of the sex talk.
We Don't Have to Hand Down Our Problems With Princesses
What if my daughter’s princess obsession was a bad omen? Was she heading down a road that never ends well for women?
5 Effective Strategies to Lose Your Mind as a New Mom
Maybe you didn’t need me to tell you how to lose your mind. You’re doing that just fine on your own, thanks to sleep deprivation.
10 Things that Raise Men Who Respect Women
If we want to prevent sexual assaults, then we have a responsibility to our boys to have a much more uncomfortable conversation.
The Obvious Question When Your Kids are 35 Years Apart
“No, they’re both my sons,” I answered as his eyes widened. It happens every time people begin to understand that I have kids whose ages are 35 years apart.
A Parent Primer on How to Deal With Bullies
It’s time to get a refresher on how to train our kids to stand up to bullying and how to advocate for them.
Be a Guide, Not a Guard and Raise a Happy, Responsible Kid
As guides, we help children develop internal motivation to do what is right because it’s right, rather than to do what is right to avoid being punished.
Now That My Kids Are Big: 25 Things I Will Never Have to Do Again
I have to remind myself that it wasn’t all sunny days and cuddle-time. I have to remind myself that every phase of motherhood has its joys and challenges.
4 Ways We Can Shift Our Language to Support Kids' Emotional Intelligence
Whether or not we validate our kids’ emotions will ultimately have an impact on their ability to manage those emotions well beyond the childhood years.