While I love my kids endlessly, the incessant hanging, pawing, clawing, and touching has got to stop before I actually lose my mind.
Learning the truth about Santa sent my 6-year-old mind into a tailspin. But the questions it made me ask about reality shaped everything that came after.
Kids Believe the Craziest Things If It Means They Get Presents
Since my husband, two children, and I have moved to Barcelona last August, our life has been full of new experiences. New food, new language, new architecture. New school, new friends, new daily co...
Excessive Maneuvering: A Parenting Lesson for Drivers
While Drivers' Ed teachers may frown upon "excessive maneuvering," it's generally the name of the game when it comes to getting through life.
I May Not Know What I'm Doing, But I Get to Be Their Mama
It's a difficult job that I'm not really sure I'm doing well, but the truth is, I'm the only one who gets to do it. And that's reason enough to keep on going.
Christmas Is Actually Kind of a Sh*tshow
It's as chaotic as it is festive, but I wouldn't have Christmas any other way.
Letting Go of the Hope That My Grown Sons Will Reconnect
How long can a parent intervene in sibling relationships? Once they're adults, they shouldn't require a referee. But what if their rift breaks your heart?
Hey, Future Teenage Daughter, You Embarrassed Me First
There's going to come a day when the mere mention of my name makes you want to wither with embarrassment. Well, kid, you did it to me first.
So, Wait – How CAN I Discipline My Child?
There are moments when positive parenting stops working. What methods of discipline won't scar them for life?
How to Help Your Child Navigate the Death of a Friend
Supporting our kids through something as devastating as the loss of a friend is no easy task. Experts can offer some advice.
I Almost Missed It: My Toddler's First Memory
“I saw that dog yesterday!” my two-year-old exclaims. He is standing in a sagging diaper and his brother’s old t-shirt in our backyard. His finger is aimed at a shaggy, green-collared mutt. His vo...
4 Ways Taking on a Housemate Has Made Me a Better Parent
If you can find the right person, taking in a housemate can be a game-changer for finding a new rhythm as a parent.
How to Tell If Your Child Is Addicted to Video Games – and How to Help
If you’ve determined that your child likely has a video game addiction, there are a number of ways you can help.
Gestational Diabetes Made Me a Better Mom
Handling a gestational diabetes diagnosis well can be controlled, and it ultimately made my family healthier and me a better mom.
A Letter to My Five-Year-Old, Now That Your Baby Brother Is Here
There may not be as much room on my lap these days, but you're asking to sit there less and less.
How I Teach My Daughter About True Love
The best we can do to teach our daughters about loving a good man is to lead by example.
How to Shield Your Child from Greed and Entitlement During the Holidays
Keep the focus on what the holidays really mean to your family and instill in your kids a sense of generosity and gratitude.
Relativist Parenting Is a State of Mind, Not a Style
In this age of too much information, parenting can be scary business. But when we trust our instincts, we know more than we give ourselves credit for.
How to Keep Your Kids Motivated to Be "Good" Once Santa Is off Duty
If it takes a village to raise a kid, then sometimes we need to use that village to get our kids to do what they have to do. So who should we call on besides Santa?
8 Questions Smart Parents Never Ask Their Kids
They say there are no dumb questions. They are wrong. I've asked my kids these questions a million times and realize they're completely useless.
Twin Bond, Shmin Bond: It's Toddler Fight Club at My House
Everyone seemed to think my identical twins would have a magical bond. But then the biting started.
How Will You Remember the Early Days of Motherhood?
The early days of motherhood can feel like the Dark Ages. But looking back, we can choose to remember the beauty of it all.
The Importance of Teaching Your Kids to Be Empathetic and Assertive
How do we teach our kids about right and wrong? How do we teach them to be empathetic but also to stand up to mean kids?
As you get older, the less you care about receiving gifts, the more you enjoy giving them. This feeling only gets amplified as a parent.