The Unbearable Monotony of Maternity Leave
This three months off isn't a decadent vacation. It's three months of being stranded in motherhood.
10 True Things About Being a Mom Your Nice Friends Won't Tell You
Your friends may be holding out on you. Allow me to set the record straight on what you can expect from this parenting gig.
Why I Don't Make My Kids Do Chores
Kids have their entire adult lives to tend to mundane tasks. For now, I'm heeding grandma's advice, doing the chores and letting them be kids.
Dear Son, Now That You Have a Girlfriend...
You now have a girlfriend. You’ve talked, tweeted, and texted with other girls over the past couple of years, but this one is different. You spend time together; a LOT of time together. You share m...
Needing Space From My Family Makes Me Feel Like a Failure
The need to be alone is as biological as the one to build a family. But recognizing that need comes with a guilt mothers often can't ignore.
Why We Make Our Sons Watch Women's Sports
Cheering on strong, fast, and powerful women is as much a priority in our house as Sunday Night Football.
Remembering My Self Between Departure and Arrival
Preparing to leave the role of mother behind for just a few days can be nerve-wracking, emotional, and empowering.
The 5 Stages of Head Lice: From Denial to Depression
My experience with head lice can be summed up in five phases similar to Kubler-Ross' five stages of grief: Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
One Grandmother's Take on Babysitting
To be sure, there are plenty of grandparents eager to spend time with their grandchildren. And with many young adults marrying later and waiting to have babies, there are many retired 70-somethings...
Babies Reach for Toys More When Adults are Around
Eight-month-old infants are much more likely to reach towards distant toys when an adult is present than when they are by themselves, according to research published in Psychological Science, a jou...
Survival and Family: Perspective on Stress From the Third World
Marriage, family, and stress all hold a different weight when the struggle to simply survive is a day-to-day affair.
My Son Can't Walk and That's Fine With Me
When my four-year-old doesn't see his wheelchair as a disadvantage, why should I?
When a Game of Catch Becomes a Conversation Between Mother and Son
Sussing out the needs of your introverted kid sometimes means quietly letting them take the lead.
The 12 Stages of Naming Your Child
You made a human. Now comes the hard. Part. Figuring out what to name them.
Mom is the one who drives to meets, packs the snacks, and bleaches the baseball pants. But mama is the forehead kisser, band-aid applier, and story-teller.
5 Ways to Kill Time When Bonding With Your Newborn
Don't get me wrong. This new baby is magical and fascinating. But so is the Grand Canyon. And you can only stare at something for so long.
Pushing Our Kids to Persevere When All They Want to Do Is Quit
It's not easy to push our kids out of their comfort zone. But encouraging them to keep going when they want to throw in the towel is part of the job.
Maybe I Had a Baby to Teach My Husband How to Clean
Bringing a baby into the picture rearranged the division of labor in our house. And frankly, it was about time.
8 Ways Being a Mother is Like Being an Olympic Athlete
Patience, dedication, and a whole lot of hard work. Motherhood may just be the ultimate Olympic sport.
Finding Community in a Pile of Plastic Containers
The pile of plastic containers, ziploc bags, and tupperware tell the story of a community that nurtured us as new parents. Now it's time to return the love.
10 Feelings All Mothers Know Well
The ups and downs of motherhood cover a wide range of emotions.
Dear Parents: Let's Be in This Together
As parents, we're only as successful as we are supportive.
In a Culture of Low Expectations, What Makes a Great Dad Great?
Fathers are held to a far lower standard than moms. That doesn't mean that dads shouldn't aim higher.
Celebrating Your Kids' Positive Indifference to Differences
Being in public with our kids presents millions of opportunities for them to embarrass us completely. But sometimes they surprise us.