Summer season is here and kids are excited to take a much-needed break from school, catch up on sleep, and most likely spend hours upon hours on their digital devices. With more time on their hands come more opportunities for them to plug in and play video games, scroll social media, watch YouTube and Netflix all day long. Although…
Read More
Since there is no “What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Teen,” we’re basically flying by the seat of our pants when we get here. And frankly, there is a lot they need from us, and even more we can learn from them. When my kids entered adolescence there was so much I didn’t even know to expect. The…
Read More
Some of the best times I can remember, those moments when you laugh so hard you can’t breathe, happened while playing board games. Create some family memories of your own by playing a board game where everyone can play along! Family Game Night is a great tradition and it is never too late to start one! Board games bring out…
Read More
I was coming back to the house from a long walk, sweaty, sore, and tired and I saw you kicking the soccer ball around in the yard, waiting for me to return to take you to practice. As I got closer, you walked toward me and I reached for you hoping for a hug, as I always do. To…
Read More
In 1992, I stopped being a fan of Mother’s Day. My mom died suddenly that year, and Mother’s Day’s celebrations became a taunting and painful reminder of losing the person who loved me the most. Blast forward a decade or so to 2003. I’m married now. And although it’s been over ten years since my mom died, I’m…
Read More
Like every mom, I have a lot on my plate right now. Looking over this week’s schedule, I see that my older daughter has five softball games, one driver’s training lesson, and a fundraiser to attend. The 13-year old has a voice lesson, one dance class, nine hours of play rehearsal, and a birthday party. I have a meeting…
Read More
Thank you, Science. I opened the mailbox last week and pulled out a thin envelope from the hospital reminding me that it was time for my annual mammogram. The prevalence of breast cancer among my friends reminds me to be ever-vigilant. I dutifully scheduled an appointment and added it to my calendar because, well, health. Later that…
Read More
I sat in my car idling as I read her text, “I’m coming mom!” and then I waited and waited for her to come. This is the life of every parent who has tweens or teens with busy schedules who have yet to drive themselves to all the different destinations and back. It gets rather tedious and so…
Read More
When my kids were young, I would define it as helping, loving and caring. When the animal project fell apart and they were in tears, I helped them rebuild and make it better. When a much-needed textbook was forgotten in a classroom, my husband and daughter jumped in the car after school hours, tracked down the janitor and retrieved…
Read More
Parenting humbles you. “I would never,” said I, ten years ago, “do my child’s homework.” Those are smug words, and those are stupid words. “Never say never.” Through no virtue of my own, I cracked the code of reading and math early, and so found the classroom a rewarding place to be. I cried at the end of first…
Read More
What This Mom Said, and Why, When Her Teen Confessed to Vaping My daughter comes home from high school football games always excited to share all the crazy ways the kids celebrate the spirit of the game in the student section. She’s often covered with colored powder, sweaty and smiling with stories and selfies that reflect all the fun….
Read More
With your words YOU have the power to change your kids life. Amidst the frenzy our busy lives we need to remember to pause and take a time out to nourish our kids souls and strengthen our relationships. Our kids need our encouraging words to fuel their dreams, to know without a shadow of a doubt that…
Read More
