Several years ago, when the Elf on the Shelf first became popular, I remember thinking to myself that I wished my kids were still young enough to introduce this seemingly fun new Christmas tradition. In the beginning, I loved seeing how my friends would come up with new and interesting mischief for their little guy […]
Parenting
He Protected Me From The Grave
She sat quietly on my bed, trying to calm my tears, as I wept into the pillow. We barely knew each other, but as my new roommate she was aware that my dad had recently died. She had heard me crying and came to check on me. I finally felt myself calming down and as my […]
No, My Child Will NOT Be Going in a Public Restroom Alone
America, we have a bathroom problem. In the spirit of full disclosure, I’ll tell you that I’m personally in favor of unisex public restrooms. I see no need to make peeing more difficult than it has to be. I avoid public restrooms on the whole because I think they’re gross. But when you’ve gotta go, […]
FDA Warns: Do Not Give Children Cough Medicine That Contains Codeine
As a parent, few things are worse than the helpless feeling that comes with a sick child. When no amount of snuggling on the couch can make them feel better, parents often turn to their medicine cabinets for some kid-friendly relief. Well, the latest information from the FDA suggests several medications, previously thought to be […]
The Other Mother-Confronting An Abusive Parent And Why It Is Your Business
Her words were so cruel I thought I must have heard wrong. I was rushing through Target to get some inexpensive flip-flops to wear around the house and had just begun scanning the shoe aisle when I first heard her voice. Her words, dripping with hate, seemed to fall without hesitation from her mouth. “Shut […]
When You Know You’re Parenting Teenagers
The years tend to sneak up. One day you bring a newborn home, and then you blink and have a sassy school age child. Another blink and you have a small adult in front of you. Of course children grow and become more independent all this time, but it happens gradually, in small ways […]
Just Below the Surface: My Relationship with Wine
I have this frequent nightmare where I’m underwater, just below the surface of a pool. The water is as grey as the skies above, and I’m cold. So cold. There are brown autumn leaves resting on top of the water, gently rippling from the breeze above. Somehow I know that they are from my parents’ […]
I’m A Slave Driver
From the time D-dude was able to walk I have asked him to do small chores. As he got older the chores increased and the difficulty increased. He’s eleven now so of course he is doing almost the amount of chores I do. Almost. The amount is close but the difficulty is not as […]