I was never prouder of my country than the night that Barack Obama was elected president. Like much of the country, I was hopeful that an end was coming to racism, that we were approaching an age of enlightenment, where people truly were treated as equals. Unfortunately, that has not […]
It seems to happen overnight. The child you nurtured for more than a decade all of a sudden looks like a baby-faced adult. Then there are the more subtle signs: showers without nagging, more attention to clothing choices, caring if things “match.” Maybe there are whispered conversations with friends and […]
Family vacations commonly alternate between being relaxing and stressful. A break from the daily routine and experiencing new places, foods and schedules can be both exciting and stress-inducing. Traveling with small children is sometimes difficult. After packing enough clothing and toys to anticipate any possible scenario, you then realize you […]
I’m from the generation who, when we played with Barbies as kids, Ken went to work and was tossed under a chair. Dads worked, most moms were home. We had no idea what Dad did all day, we just knew he left each morning and came home each night. Today […]
Tonight is our high school graduation. Though I will not be attending this year, I am thinking of those students and their families. My kids have already reached this milestone. I know some who are walking tonight and others who will join them as alumni in the years to come. […]
The teen years are when we most often hear about what everyone else’s parents do. Everyone else’s parents let them stay out until 2 am. Everyone else’s parents are letting them spend an unsupervised weekend at the shore. Everyone else’s parents bought them the newest iPhone and iPad (or other […]
Most people get their first job as a teenager. For many, this first job is babysitting, pet or house sitting, dog walking, shoveling snow or mowing lawns. For others, it is a job at a restaurant, local store, movie theater or other entertainment venue. The reasons for working are many: […]
Summer break is approaching. Kids and teachers are counting down to freedom; parents are counting down too, many with a mix of anticipation and dread. Most parents I know look forward to the more relaxed atmosphere and not having the intense schedule that rules their lives the rest of the […]