parenting
What I Learned About Giving After Having Kids
If the Giving Tree isn’t the most accurate book ever I don’t know what is. If you don’t know the story The Tree gives its leaves and branches and by the end of the book, he’s given everything to The Boy. It’s left as only a stump. This morning I handed this child the actual…
A Trip To McDonald’s Reminded Me I Can Do Anything (Including Negotiate World Peace)
After a trip to Target, during which I aged 5 years trying to pick out a shower curtain with kids that suddenly had super strong opinions about shower curtains, I offered to get the kids the new slushees at McDonald’s because I wanted one. Sam said I’ll take a burger. Kate said I want fries. I said I…
A Letter to My Children About Their Attempts To Clean
Dear Children who just “finished cleaning”, Let me be clear about one thing. I see that you are trying, I really do. But oh my word I feel like making you all eye appointments after looking at the results of your last attempt at cleaning your rooms. I really shouldn’t have to remind you that…
New Parents, You Can’t Possibly Know
New parents…you can’t possibly know. I just found this picture behind another photo in a frame and I’ve unearthed a memory. I see young me about 3 weeks into my mom journey and I couldn’t possibly have known. In fact I’m glad I didn’t. I was working so hard and was so consumed with figuring…
10 Must Read Books for Every Family
I am a big believer in the family read aloud. You can read a quick chapter after dinner, before bed or even in the morning before school if your people are more organized than mine. The best thing about reading to your kids for me is that brings your family JOY through a shared experience…
Life Lessons from the School Pick Up Line
Oh my word, nothing is as fraught with emotion as the school pick up line. Sitting in my rockin’ white minivan, I can go from inspired, to exasperated, to hopeful, to horrified, to disbelieving, to furious, to wonder (as in wondering if the grown ups in the line all need glasses like me and that’s…
The Life Changing Summer Goal that Only Takes an Hour
One Hour. That’s all this summer goal requires. It requires pretty much no planning or bucket list making or thought, other than keeping your eyes open for opportunity. This hour will find you. I figured out the impact of this hour when we spent the last weekend at a water park while my son played…
To My Daughter…Call Me
To my daughter in the event she finds herself in my shoes: If someday you become a mother, I confess I have a secret hope you will have a girl. When you were born my mom was in the room and the very first words she said to me were, “Don’t you just love her?” Oh…