The Puppy Trap

One moment of weakness and now I have a dog for twelve to fifteen years. I forgot how much work puppies are. We already have one dog, a Tibetan spaniel named Buster Brown… Read More

Surviving Survival Mode: My Farewell to Being Everything

There is pressure, spoken and unspoken, to do everything. To be everything. Feed your children wholesome meals and snacks all day. Limit (or eliminate) screen time. Keep them engaged. Get your pre-pregnancy shape back. Have meaningful and well-maintained relationships. Nurture your marriage. Have interests that aren’t Daniel Tiger, finger painting, and who has meat on sale this week. Make sure your two-year-old knows all of her numbers, letters, and can properly pronounce ‘quinoa’ before she gets to preschool. The list goes on and on. Read More

The Science of Selfies

If you have a tween or a teen, the recent news that more people have died from taking selfies than from shark attacks probably came as no surprise. More than 90 percent of teens post photos of themselves online. And though the risk of death is highly unlikely, parents are naturally concerned about this trend that seems to be the very symbol of a self-absorbed generation. By understanding the real reasons… Read More

The Struggles My Autistic Sister Faced from Bullying

Growing up as the oldest of three children, I assumed the responsibility of the supporter and role model. My siblings and I were all very close in age, so my brother and sister were able to learn from my mistakes and capitalize on fun activities they watched me do. I loved my mentorship role and still find myself holding on to it each day. However… Read More

A Mom’s Trip to the DMV: Disney Training for the DMV

Yesterday I took my son to get his driving permit at the DMV. There was no school for him due to a teacher development day. The other three still had school so I was up by 6:00 to make breakfast and drive them. My kids are never… Read More

I’m Grateful, But I’m Not Sorry

I used to be one. A chronic apologizer. I hadn’t noticed how often I uttered the words I’m sorry until a friend called me on it: “Why do you always say you’re sorry?! Haven’t the women who came before us apologized enough? Read More

One Size Doesn’t Fit All: 3 Activities to Help Kids Understand Learning Differences

Buying a new pair of shoes is a yearly back-to-school tradition for many kids. They go to the store, try on a few styles, and eventually find something that fits them just right. We have to help our students understand that, just as they don’t wear the same shoe or clothing size as all their classmates, their education doesn’t have to be “one size fits all.” Read More

Too Much Screen Time!

School is in full swing and the days are getting shorter and colder. When kids burst through the door after leaving the bus, homework stuffed in their backpacks ready to finish, they’re eager to have some screen time. As a parent of 4 kids I totally understand their desire to unwind. We all need time to relax, and screen time is the perfect activity on a cold fall evening to do just that–tune out and plug in. Read More