My daughter had an assignment at school recently to write a letter to herself, and the teacher will send it to her when she graduates high school.
How MAC's Ruby Woo Lipstick Saved the Day
As I burst into his room, I half expected to be saving my child from immediate death. Instead, Ry was naked and playing with his diaper, glaring at me from his bed. There was poop smeared all over ...
It's Okay to Let Your Partner Be Their Own Parent
There is seldom a right and wrong way of doing things. The spectrum is wide and there's often plenty of room for grace.
Growth Is Imperative in the Journey Called Parenting
Just like in every relationship, growth is a crucial element in parenting as well. Parenting offers us a chance to observe and sometimes self-reflect on our actions and reactions towards our childr...
The House-To-House Holiday Shuffle: a Chaotic Tradition We’re Lucky to Have
Is it a challenge to cart around children, canines, presents, diaper bags, and baked goods to multiple houses? Absolutely. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
A Mom's Top 10 Television Moments of 2017
It truly is the golden age of television. It's also the age of interruption, nervous breakdowns, and endless piles of laundry.
How to Survive Mom-Shaming When Home for the Holidays
Mom-shaming seems to be a pervasive problem; however, a different interpretation may help young parents through the holidays.
Santa and His Magic – in Full Effect for as Long as Possible
When it’s all said and done, if my children have joyful memories, then I have given them a great gift.
From day one our children are measured. We know their heights, weights, and head circumferences, for that matter. At each check-up these measurements are again taken. With data in hand we can look ...
A Letter to All Parenting Experts Who Don’t Actually Have Any Kids
I used to be somewhat of a parenting expert. Then my first child arrived and forced me into an early retirement. Many will presume to know what it takes to be a parent before actually becoming one....
Attention Moms: the pressure to lean in, both at work and at home, isn’t just in our heads.
Whether They Meet Them Or Not, Our Relatives Shape Our Kids
Even if the stories aren’t happy, love-conquers-all stories, they're important. These were real people’s stories – people we have ties with.
The F Word: a Discussion on the Power of Language With My 9-Year-Old
The consequence for the use of this language will depend upon the context, the cultural norms, and, let’s face it, the potential for parental embarrassment.
You could say we’re each experiencing a kind of “middle-age.” First there’s my son, Ryan. He’s nine. He’s in the middle years of his childhood, halfway to adulthood. He’s loving this time in his li...
I'm a Stay-At-Home-Mom With an Older Child, What's Next for Me?
This is a submission in our monthly contest. December’s theme is Growth. Growing up I always knew I was "going to be somebody and make something of myself." An obsessive overachiever, I was confide...
Five Workplace Strategies That Totally Work on Your Kids
Having spent years dealing with angry customers and clients, I've seen how some of the same tactics that put out fires in the workplace can help me at home.
I'm Going to Need You to Stop Screaming Now Please
Hi Baby! It's your Papa. How you doing? Not good? Yeah, I can tell. As for me, I’m… well, I’m frustrated. I have a simple request for you: Stop screaming.
Why the Grandparents Can Exercise Their Spoiling-Rights This Christmas
Grandparents love to spoil. It is as part of the job description – especially around the holidays.
This is a submission in our monthly contest. December’s theme is Growth. Change can be hard, especially for parents. A former neighbor (and at the time, soon-to-be mother of five) once explained th...
This is a submission in our monthly contest. December’s theme is Growth. When daughter A was a little I used to read her a book titled "Leo the Late Bloomer" by Robert Kraus. In the book, there is ...
Why I'm Teaching My Kids That "I'm Sorry" Is Not Enough
I now put it upon them to demonstrate, through actions rather than words, that they are regretful.
When Raising Kids Collides With the U-Curve
Knowing about the U-curve can help us let go of the shame and guilt we have for experiencing this dive in contentedness.
Take Back the Night: a Sleep Training Guide for Parents Who Failed the First Time Around
It’s moving day around here, and these kids are moving out of my bed come hell or high water. Here is how I plan to take back the night.
6 Unexpected Skills I Gained Because of Motherhood
This is a submission in our monthly contest. December’s theme is Growth. Some people think that when parents choose to stay at home with their kids, they automatically sacrifice their careers and t...