Letting Go of the Hope That My Grown Sons Will Reconnect
How long can a parent intervene in sibling relationships? Once they're adults, they shouldn't require a referee. But what if their rift breaks your heart?
Hey, Future Teenage Daughter, You Embarrassed Me First
There's going to come a day when the mere mention of my name makes you want to wither with embarrassment. Well, kid, you did it to me first.
So, Wait – How CAN I Discipline My Child?
There are moments when positive parenting stops working. What methods of discipline won't scar them for life?
How to Help Your Child Navigate the Death of a Friend
Supporting our kids through something as devastating as the loss of a friend is no easy task. Experts can offer some advice.
I Almost Missed It: My Toddler's First Memory
“I saw that dog yesterday!” my two-year-old exclaims. He is standing in a sagging diaper and his brother’s old t-shirt in our backyard. His finger is aimed at a shaggy, green-collared mutt. His vo...
4 Ways Taking on a Housemate Has Made Me a Better Parent
If you can find the right person, taking in a housemate can be a game-changer for finding a new rhythm as a parent.
The Science of Giving and How It Can Help Your Kids
Want to really make your kids happy? Teach them the importance of giving to others. Even science suggests giving enhances our children’s lives.
Debate Club: Is Disney World the Best or Worst of All Family Vacations?
For some it's a dream, for others it's a nightmare. Two writers debate the merits and downfalls of a family vacation at Disney.
How to Tell If Your Child Is Addicted to Video Games – and How to Help
If you’ve determined that your child likely has a video game addiction, there are a number of ways you can help.
Gestational Diabetes Made Me a Better Mom
Handling a gestational diabetes diagnosis well can be controlled, and it ultimately made my family healthier and me a better mom.
A Letter to My Five-Year-Old, Now That Your Baby Brother Is Here
There may not be as much room on my lap these days, but you're asking to sit there less and less.
How I Teach My Daughter About True Love
The best we can do to teach our daughters about loving a good man is to lead by example.
Killer Laundry Pods and the Problem of Newsworthy Numbers
The current available data about laundry pod poisonings paints a much different picture than the stories we see reported every few months.
A View From the End of Maternity Leave
Five months after having a baby, the return to work is a return to the semblance of who you once were. Except you're not.
Making It Count, Not Counting Down
The most precious commodity we're given is time. Wishing ordinary moments, days, and months away waiting for the "special" ones misses the point.
11 All-Natural Weapons You Need in Your Immunity Arsenal
It's hard to stay healthy with germ laden kids in your house. But there are simple, chemical-free strategies you can employ to keep the bugs at bay.
How to Shield Your Child from Greed and Entitlement During the Holidays
Keep the focus on what the holidays really mean to your family and instill in your kids a sense of generosity and gratitude.
Relativist Parenting Is a State of Mind, Not a Style
In this age of too much information, parenting can be scary business. But when we trust our instincts, we know more than we give ourselves credit for.
Marriage is Hard, Sex Makes It Easier
Despite all the requisite challenges of being married with children and jobs and mortgages and debilitating health issues (etc.), we need sex.
How to Keep Your Kids Motivated to Be "Good" Once Santa Is off Duty
If it takes a village to raise a kid, then sometimes we need to use that village to get our kids to do what they have to do. So who should we call on besides Santa?
8 Questions Smart Parents Never Ask Their Kids
They say there are no dumb questions. They are wrong. I've asked my kids these questions a million times and realize they're completely useless.
Twin Bond, Shmin Bond: It's Toddler Fight Club at My House
Everyone seemed to think my identical twins would have a magical bond. But then the biting started.
"The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming": A Jewish Christmas Story for Atheists
It has never bothered me to be an atheist at Christmas. I love spending months picking out the perfect gifts for each family member. I love sending handmade holiday cards, even if my overly-ambiti...
The Value of Late-Night Solitude: A Former Insomniac's Lament
My insomnia is cured. I take my medication, turn off the lights, and fall straight to sleep. Waking up rested, having energy all day, productivity, and better moods – I am not ungrateful for these...