New Ways to Praise: Moving Beyond "I'm Proud of You"
We praise our kids for everything they do – broad praise that actually means little but has a major impact.
How the F-Word Brought My Daughter from the Bottom to the Top
When we began our competitive gymnastics journey with my younger daughter, I had no idea what we were in for. That first year was a giant rollercoaster of big ups (she placed third on her team at h...
I Guess We'll Survive the Teenage Years
I don’t think I’m going to survive the teenage years. I know this is the same thought that millions of parents have had throughout the ages.
Cinderella Was Wrong About Stepmoms
She was nervous, sensitive, and a perfectionist, and she was a sudden mother to three. Nothing prepares you for that.
I have bad news: The tween years are basically the toddler years on steroids.
Don't Feel Guilty If You Don't Have Time for Family Dinner
How can your busy family carve out 15-30 minutes a day to check in and spend quality time together? Here are five alternatives to the revered family dinner.
What You Can Do When Your Kid Prefers One Parent Over the Other
Though it's not uncommon for children to prefer one parent over the other, it totally stings. Here's what you can do to make it through.
I Don’t Want to Binge Watch My Son’s Childhood
I’m not going to trot out the tired “enjoy this time because it’ll be gone too soon” trope you get from older women in the grocery store.
7 Kid Requests You Should Agree To in the Name of Autonomy and Independence
What are the costs and benefits of saying "yes" to these 7 common kid requests?
Playing the Parenting Game for Keeps
My sons often remind me that the parenting game is not necessarily about winning or losing. It’s about the effort that goes into playing the game.
A Simple Solution to (Eventually) Getting Your Kid to Eat
This trick is pretty simple. Invite your kid’s nose to dinner.
6 Simplicity Hacks for Parents Who Would Rather Spend Time Doing Than Planning
Here are some strategies you can use to minimize decision-making and maximize time and energy for the pursuits that bring you joy.
Moms, Even if You Have to Fake it, Rock Body Confidence in Front of Your Girls
Having a good body image and exercising a healthy lifestyle are important to model for your daughter, but your actual relationship is more vital.
Study Say U.S. Dads Are Getting Older, Does It Matter?
Apparently American fathers are taking a few more years to perfect their best dad jokes.
How to Prepare for Adoption Like an Olympic Gymnast
Approaching adoption with the mindset that you cannot fail is what will make you the kind of parent who triumphs, no matter what anyone else may tell you.
Parenting Is a Wean/Wean Situation
What I did not realize all those years ago was that my babies weren’t just weaning away from the breast. They were weaning away from me.
4 Things Parents Should Keep in Mind When Setting Rules
Rules rule, but only if they are set out right. We do more harm than good when we fail to enforce rules and limits with love and affection.
Love and Laughter During the Dreaded Nighttime Routine
Recently, I decided to switch things up a bit. I made a promise to try not to stress and be calm with my words.
Our First Father-Daughter Road Trip Was Escaping a Hurricane
So what if I had to rhyme words with her for hours and have contests to see which of us could spot more school buses for 300 miles?
My Kids Hate Led Zeppelin Despite My Best Efforts
I so want to pass the torch, this sword of gold. I want to give them this tune. I want to give all of them. They're not having it. Yet.
What "Fun and Easy" Says About Our Expectations of Childhood
Perhaps we shouldn’t let “fun and easy” be the only two deciding factors for the activities we choose to do with children.
One Day, Your Kid is Going to Make You Sorry You Defended Them
It's a parent's nature to defend their kid through and through. But the truth is, sometimes we're going to regret going to bat for them.
How Occam’s Razor Revolutionized My Parenting
As an adult and educator, Occam’s razor made complete sense to me. But as a mother, I couldn’t make it stick.
My Girl Is Outgrowing Me, and This Is How It's Supposed to Be
The distance widens, the bridge narrows, and I ache with a gentle wonder at it all. But this is how it's supposed to be.