Surviving that first year as a couple was harder than dealing with the months of sleep deprivation, blistered nipples and mastitis, and recovering from a Cesarean. Before Henry was born, Jeff and I—who hadn’t yet been married two years—swore we’d be the ultimate support crew. We’re both athletic and skilled in the outdoors. Together we […]
Sure, it’s difficult to remain cool and collected at your kid’s sporting event. But some parents today take it to the next level. My 18-year old-daughter was active in sports throughout her childhood and now is on the club swimming team at her college. My high school freshman son has swum for most of his life […]
Toy ads would have us believe that all girls are happy and love sunshine and cupcakes, while boys are active and busy building and smashing things. When was the last time you sat and watched cartoons on a Saturday morning? Recently, I snuggled in bed with my husband and 9-year-old daughter to watch some ‘toons. […]
There’s a holy war raging on my children’s school playground, and I’m trying to teach my daughters to survive. Children crave identity. Without an organized religion, I knew our kids would struggle. Along with spiritual lessons—like why we help at the Thanksgiving soup kitchen and stop to watch clouds pass—we try to teach them about […]
I often dream of running away for the holiday. My tendency to give thanks for my life, a year round habit, comes to a temporary halt at the one time of year designed to elicit such sentiments. Thanksgiving, instead, causes me a low-grade, body buzzing anxiety that starts on November 1st. This is also a shame […]
Admit it, you’re one of them. You know them. You’ve seen them. You might even be one. Well, not you, of course. You’re cool. I’m totally talking about that annoying friend you have. Yeah…that’s the ticket. So even though I am a parent and I love parents, the fact of the matter is we can […]
I do not have to be at my kids’ beck and call 24/7; Mommy isn’t always the only one who can remedy a situation. Here’s the general evening routine during the week at my house: Dinner around 6, bath, books, bed by 7:30. My husband, Jeff, is the main bather and book reader, which means after […]
Every parent of an only child has a serious reason why that child won’t have siblings, whether that reason is biological, economical, or philosophical. Here is the story I want to tell you: I found a new primary care physician and went to her for symptoms—heart palpitations, anxiety, diminished sex drive, fatigue—and I asked if […]
