You should have seen the birthday cake Rick’s friend made our son for his sixth birthday. We held the party at an indoor soccer field and centered the party on a sports theme with game ticket invitations and goodie bags with miniature soccer balls, footballs, baseballs and basketballs. Rick’s friend [...]
You should have seen the birthday cake Rick’s friend made our son for his sixth birthday. We held the party at an indoor soccer field and centered the party on a sports theme with game ticket invitations and goodie bags with miniature soccer balls, footballs, baseballs and basketballs. Rick’s friend [...]
When my mom died and my sister and I divvied up her belongings that my father did not need, I ended up with the coveted “The New Fannie Farmer Boston Cooking-School Cook Book.” It was profoundly sentimental to me because it was the duct-taped book that my parents had used [...]
When my mom died and my sister and I divvied up her belongings that my father did not need, I ended up with the coveted “The New Fannie Farmer Boston Cooking-School Cook Book.” It was profoundly sentimental to me because it was the duct-taped book that my parents had used [...]
Last weekend we hit another milestone. Truman went to his first Alabama football game. We were offered some posh seats in a skybox with a steady line of tasty snacks and a bottomless cooler of beverages. I suspect our son has been spoiled senseless. Wonder how he’ll react next time [...]
Last weekend we hit another milestone. Truman went to his first Alabama football game. We were offered some posh seats in a skybox with a steady line of tasty snacks and a bottomless cooler of beverages. I suspect our son has been spoiled senseless. Wonder how he’ll react next time [...]
Reports of children’s fingertips being amputated by strollers has triggered a massive recall. Maclaren Strollers in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC, issued the voluntary recall today, warning consumers that they should stop using the recalled strollers immediately because the stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and [...]
Reports of children’s fingertips being amputated by strollers has triggered a massive recall. Maclaren Strollers in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC, issued the voluntary recall today, warning consumers that they should stop using the recalled strollers immediately because the stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and [...]
I swiped this from my sister’s Facebook page. It’s a great feel-good video aptly named “Anti-Depression Video.” I think any parent would dig this.
For centuries, people have touted the benefits of laughter. Experts say that a good laugh can reduce stress by relaxing tense muscles and energizing you by sending [...]
I swiped this from my sister’s Facebook page. It’s a great feel-good video aptly named “Anti-Depression Video.” I think any parent would dig this.
For centuries, people have touted the benefits of laughter. Experts say that a good laugh can reduce stress by relaxing tense muscles and energizing you by sending [...]
When I was 7, I learned the truth about Santa. Sort of.
My friend Emily said Santa was not some jolly old elf who appeared in the night and left presents under the tree, but was really my father who would crawl out of bed and pull toys from the closet. [...]
When I was 7, I learned the truth about Santa. Sort of.
My friend Emily said Santa was not some jolly old elf who appeared in the night and left presents under the tree, but was really my father who would crawl out of bed and pull toys from the closet. [...]
I used to roll my eyes at people who would get depressed during holidays. Seriously, what was there to be depressed about? And then my mother died. It’s not her absence that upsets me the most. It’s been 10 years since she died and I have learned to live with [...]
I used to roll my eyes at people who would get depressed during holidays. Seriously, what was there to be depressed about? And then my mother died. It’s not her absence that upsets me the most. It’s been 10 years since she died and I have learned to live with [...]
Um… My neighbor just sent this video to me. Am I the only one here who finds this dancing baby video mildly disturbing? Regardless, dancing diapered babies is always a hit on YouTube, and this “Stanky Legs” piece is no exception. I’ll hand it to this kid. He/she has some [...]
Um… My neighbor just sent this video to me. Am I the only one here who finds this dancing baby video mildly disturbing? Regardless, dancing diapered babies is always a hit on YouTube, and this “Stanky Legs” piece is no exception. I’ll hand it to this kid. He/she has some [...]
Christmas is less than two months away, which means you’d better get working on that Christmas list unless you want to spend your Christmas Eve fighting the masses at the mall. One of the luxuries of planning this far in advance is that you can get some really cool gifts [...]
Christmas is less than two months away, which means you’d better get working on that Christmas list unless you want to spend your Christmas Eve fighting the masses at the mall. One of the luxuries of planning this far in advance is that you can get some really cool gifts [...]
Here’s a newsflash. Makers of children’s cereals who advertiser to kids the most are the ones most likely loaded with sugar and starved of fiber. The obvious was revealed during a new study conducted by Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. The study found that an average [...]
Here’s a newsflash. Makers of children’s cereals who advertiser to kids the most are the ones most likely loaded with sugar and starved of fiber. The obvious was revealed during a new study conducted by Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. The study found that an average [...]
So, you’re best friend is making you feel guilty because you don’t scrap. She’s preserving her family’s memories in pink-and-blue borders with ballooned quotes with catchy subtitles for candid photos taken at every juncture of her children’s lives. Her camera costs more than your car, and her bookcases are filled [...]
So, you’re best friend is making you feel guilty because you don’t scrap. She’s preserving her family’s memories in pink-and-blue borders with ballooned quotes with catchy subtitles for candid photos taken at every juncture of her children’s lives. Her camera costs more than your car, and her bookcases are filled [...]
Once upon a time it was easy to travel. My husband and I would wake up, shower, pack our bags and leave. I think we could pull the whole thing off in under an hour.
And then came Truman.
I can’t say we weren’t warned. Our friends with kids told that packing [...]
Once upon a time it was easy to travel. My husband and I would wake up, shower, pack our bags and leave. I think we could pull the whole thing off in under an hour.
And then came Truman.
I can’t say we weren’t warned. Our friends with kids told that packing [...]
Ok, seriously, are these pregnant women really rolling on their big bellies? I so want this to be real, though I suspect some of those moves may be dangerous for both mom and babe. Fake preggies or not, the most important thing is the message this Oxfam “Flashmom: Pregnant women [...]
Ok, seriously, are these pregnant women really rolling on their big bellies? I so want this to be real, though I suspect some of those moves may be dangerous for both mom and babe. Fake preggies or not, the most important thing is the message this Oxfam “Flashmom: Pregnant women [...]
The minute my son’s tiny body squeezed out of me, I changed. I became vulnerable. Sure, I had loved before. My husband is testament to my faith in love. We need each other, and to lose the other would be devastating. But we are strong. We can survive on our [...]
The minute my son’s tiny body squeezed out of me, I changed. I became vulnerable. Sure, I had loved before. My husband is testament to my faith in love. We need each other, and to lose the other would be devastating. But we are strong. We can survive on our [...]
I woke to a news report that a body found in a Georgia landfill was likely that of missing Orange Park, Fla., girl Somer Thompson, who went missing Monday while walking home from school. I watched the anchor pitch to a package that showed the mother in full grief, sobbing [...]
I woke to a news report that a body found in a Georgia landfill was likely that of missing Orange Park, Fla., girl Somer Thompson, who went missing Monday while walking home from school. I watched the anchor pitch to a package that showed the mother in full grief, sobbing [...]
My friend Wendi sent me this “Mother of the Year” YouTube clip (a commercial for Vicks First Defence (sic) nose spray) with the message, “Didn’t you do this with Truman once?” I’ll make no claims about the product (though I wish I had known to try it as I’m finally [...]
My friend Wendi sent me this “Mother of the Year” YouTube clip (a commercial for Vicks First Defence (sic) nose spray) with the message, “Didn’t you do this with Truman once?” I’ll make no claims about the product (though I wish I had known to try it as I’m finally [...]
In the first three weeks of school, my son was home sick for four days. The second week of school he had strep throat. The following week he came home with a high fever, chills, and was lethargic and vomiting. Normally, I’d feed him Tylenol and baby him unless his [...]
In the first three weeks of school, my son was home sick for four days. The second week of school he had strep throat. The following week he came home with a high fever, chills, and was lethargic and vomiting. Normally, I’d feed him Tylenol and baby him unless his [...]
How about the school district in Arlington, Texas. It refused to allow students the opportunity to hear President Obama’s speech to students Tuesday because it didn’t want to interfere with lessons. Yet the same school district sees no problem in interrupting classes to bus 500 of its students to attend [...]
How about the school district in Arlington, Texas. It refused to allow students the opportunity to hear President Obama’s speech to students Tuesday because it didn’t want to interfere with lessons. Yet the same school district sees no problem in interrupting classes to bus 500 of its students to attend [...]
He was the editor of our small town college newspaper. I was the Lifestyles editor. He was all hard news, always searching for the story that would excite people and motivate change. I was all frills and features, more interested in telling a story than shaking the tree. But he [...]
He was the editor of our small town college newspaper. I was the Lifestyles editor. He was all hard news, always searching for the story that would excite people and motivate change. I was all frills and features, more interested in telling a story than shaking the tree. But he [...]
Sitting at work – or at your desk – pretending to be productive even though you don’t feel like doing a darn thing? You have my permission to occupy your mind with this cute-kids-flogging-themselves video. That baby and teddy bear thing at the end is the best.
Video, YouTube.com, shonpawar
[...]Sitting at work – or at your desk – pretending to be productive even though you don’t feel like doing a darn thing? You have my permission to occupy your mind with this cute-kids-flogging-themselves video. That baby and teddy bear thing at the end is the best.
Video, YouTube.com, shonpawar
[...]Years ago, when I hoped time would make minds forget, I promised Rick that Truman could have a dog for his sixth birthday. The idea was that our then-baby would be old enough to participate in his puppy’s care and I would not be solely responsible for the pup. [...]
Years ago, when I hoped time would make minds forget, I promised Rick that Truman could have a dog for his sixth birthday. The idea was that our then-baby would be old enough to participate in his puppy’s care and I would not be solely responsible for the pup. [...]
I’m no food Nazi. I’m not going to force my son to eat if he’s not hungry. I think that can only instill a natural desire to overeat in adulthood – or even earlier. So I was absolutely mortified when my girlfriend told me the principal at her kids’ new [...]
I’m no food Nazi. I’m not going to force my son to eat if he’s not hungry. I think that can only instill a natural desire to overeat in adulthood – or even earlier. So I was absolutely mortified when my girlfriend told me the principal at her kids’ new [...]
It happened. My son pulled out his first baby tooth. We weren’t there to see the hallowed event – he was with his favorite sitter, Jessica. Truman was mindlessly wiggling his tooth while watching SpongeBob when his tooth just slipped out. He was a little shaken up about the little [...]
It happened. My son pulled out his first baby tooth. We weren’t there to see the hallowed event – he was with his favorite sitter, Jessica. Truman was mindlessly wiggling his tooth while watching SpongeBob when his tooth just slipped out. He was a little shaken up about the little [...]
When my husband was a little boy, he plopped his freshly yanked tooth onto his mother’s palm. She shrieked and tossed it out the window. It seems her reaction is not that unusual … at least not in some countries. And all this time I thought the Tooth Fairy was [...]
When my husband was a little boy, he plopped his freshly yanked tooth onto his mother’s palm. She shrieked and tossed it out the window. It seems her reaction is not that unusual … at least not in some countries. And all this time I thought the Tooth Fairy was [...]
Truman has his first loose tooth and the thing is wiggling like Jell-o. I’m ready to get that tooth out and start playing Tooth Fairy, so I scoured the Internet for some of the best ways to yank a tooth. Some are old favorites from when we were kids. Others, [...]
Truman has his first loose tooth and the thing is wiggling like Jell-o. I’m ready to get that tooth out and start playing Tooth Fairy, so I scoured the Internet for some of the best ways to yank a tooth. Some are old favorites from when we were kids. Others, [...]
One of my son’s last temper tantrums happened when he was outside and I was inside working on dinner. Just before walking out the door he said, “I’m going to make a hot tub,” and I said something like, “OK. Have fun.”
A few minutes passed and my son called out [...]
One of my son’s last temper tantrums happened when he was outside and I was inside working on dinner. Just before walking out the door he said, “I’m going to make a hot tub,” and I said something like, “OK. Have fun.”
A few minutes passed and my son called out [...]
With the threat of N1H1, strep throat and a host of other germs swarming around, it’s more important than ever to teach your children the importance of washing their hands. If your kid is anything like mine, getting him to sit still and sudsy up long enough to sing the [...]
With the threat of N1H1, strep throat and a host of other germs swarming around, it’s more important than ever to teach your children the importance of washing their hands. If your kid is anything like mine, getting him to sit still and sudsy up long enough to sing the [...]
Millions of window blinds are being recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after reports of strangulation deaths in children. The blinds do not have inner-cord-stop devices to prevent the accessible inner cords from being pulled out. The recall includes about 15,400 horizontal blinds, 16,500 vertical blinds, and [...]
Millions of window blinds are being recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after reports of strangulation deaths in children. The blinds do not have inner-cord-stop devices to prevent the accessible inner cords from being pulled out. The recall includes about 15,400 horizontal blinds, 16,500 vertical blinds, and [...]
Nearly 50 percent of teenagers admit to texting while driving, a statistic that rivals drinking and driving in terms of danger and prevalence. Many adults are just as guilty of composing a short e-mail or text while on the road. Think it will do no harm? Think you can stay [...]
Nearly 50 percent of teenagers admit to texting while driving, a statistic that rivals drinking and driving in terms of danger and prevalence. Many adults are just as guilty of composing a short e-mail or text while on the road. Think it will do no harm? Think you can stay [...]
My son has his first loose tooth. I saw it last night and broke into tears. My husband said, “You didn’t even cry this much when he started Kindergarten.” But Kindergarten was different. We knew the start of school nearly a year in advanced. We registered in the late spring, bought [...]
My son has his first loose tooth. I saw it last night and broke into tears. My husband said, “You didn’t even cry this much when he started Kindergarten.” But Kindergarten was different. We knew the start of school nearly a year in advanced. We registered in the late spring, bought [...]
Benjamin Franklin once wrote to the French physician Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, “I rise early almost every morning and sit in my chamber, without any clothes whatever, half an hour or an hour, according to season, either reading or writing.” Why? Franklin believed that daily baths of fresh air were good [...]
Benjamin Franklin once wrote to the French physician Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, “I rise early almost every morning and sit in my chamber, without any clothes whatever, half an hour or an hour, according to season, either reading or writing.” Why? Franklin believed that daily baths of fresh air were good [...]
This may land me in the annals of bad mothering, but there is something about my son when he gets feverish that makes my heart turn to mush. He becomes this steamy, floppy, clingy creature and it takes effort on my part not to constantly hug him and kiss him. [...]
This may land me in the annals of bad mothering, but there is something about my son when he gets feverish that makes my heart turn to mush. He becomes this steamy, floppy, clingy creature and it takes effort on my part not to constantly hug him and kiss him. [...]
My son’s school is a peanut-free zone. It’s forced me to think beyond PB&Js and PB&Hs for his school lunches. I think he can handle going without peanut butter for lunch for five days of the week. Do I think making elementary schools peanut free is extreme? Well, I did. [...]
My son’s school is a peanut-free zone. It’s forced me to think beyond PB&Js and PB&Hs for his school lunches. I think he can handle going without peanut butter for lunch for five days of the week. Do I think making elementary schools peanut free is extreme? Well, I did. [...]
When I finally gave in to that maternal side of myself that my astrological sign says is ingrained in me (despite my previous efforts to ignore it), I wore that “mom thing” like panty hose. I worked hard, wiggling and contorting myself until I finally felt comfortable in that role. Once [...]
When I finally gave in to that maternal side of myself that my astrological sign says is ingrained in me (despite my previous efforts to ignore it), I wore that “mom thing” like panty hose. I worked hard, wiggling and contorting myself until I finally felt comfortable in that role. Once [...]
I admit I’m not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. That said, I need some help here from you mothers who have a clue about some of this school-age kid stuff. What do I do about lunchboxes and lunches? Here’s the deal, Truman is buying his lunch at school. I [...]
I admit I’m not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. That said, I need some help here from you mothers who have a clue about some of this school-age kid stuff. What do I do about lunchboxes and lunches? Here’s the deal, Truman is buying his lunch at school. I [...]
Apparently I’ve been living under a rock, because I was amazed that there were five Kindergarten classes at my son’s school. When I was growing up in Memphis, my school had just one class per grade. When they closed my school after my fourth-grade year to make it special-needs only, [...]
Apparently I’ve been living under a rock, because I was amazed that there were five Kindergarten classes at my son’s school. When I was growing up in Memphis, my school had just one class per grade. When they closed my school after my fourth-grade year to make it special-needs only, [...]
Nothing could have prepared me for this ritual they call the school carpool line. It was long and slow and intimidating, and yet the well-oiled PTO had it running like a front-loading washing machine. Our car was fed into a carousel of other vehicles, each stopping at a different color-coded [...]
Nothing could have prepared me for this ritual they call the school carpool line. It was long and slow and intimidating, and yet the well-oiled PTO had it running like a front-loading washing machine. Our car was fed into a carousel of other vehicles, each stopping at a different color-coded [...]
I did it. I cried when I dropped my son off for his first day of Kindergarten. I honestly didn’t think I would. I felt good about his going and I knew he was ready. In some ways, I was consumed with guilt about not being sad that my little [...]
I did it. I cried when I dropped my son off for his first day of Kindergarten. I honestly didn’t think I would. I felt good about his going and I knew he was ready. In some ways, I was consumed with guilt about not being sad that my little [...]
There are five Kindergarten classes at my son’s elementary school. I’ve been told we couldn’t go wrong with any teacher we got. Still, I knew little more than what I heard from other mothers at the pool.
Ready for the First Day of Kindergarten
When we checked the posted [...]
There are five Kindergarten classes at my son’s elementary school. I’ve been told we couldn’t go wrong with any teacher we got. Still, I knew little more than what I heard from other mothers at the pool.
Ready for the First Day of Kindergarten
When we checked the posted [...]
Last week, Truman’s new elementary school posted the names of the teachers and the students assigned to each of their classes. Our entire family rushed to the school at precisely 3 p.m. for the hallowed occasion. I recognized some of the Kindergarten teachers’ names from poolside chats with neighbors. But [...]
Last week, Truman’s new elementary school posted the names of the teachers and the students assigned to each of their classes. Our entire family rushed to the school at precisely 3 p.m. for the hallowed occasion. I recognized some of the Kindergarten teachers’ names from poolside chats with neighbors. But [...]
I celebrated my birthday while the rest of the world celebrated the 40th anniversary of the moon landing. We were on vacation, just having arrived at our first destination – Phoenix, also known by my husband as the center of the sun. Rick said he wanted to buy me something, [...]
I celebrated my birthday while the rest of the world celebrated the 40th anniversary of the moon landing. We were on vacation, just having arrived at our first destination – Phoenix, also known by my husband as the center of the sun. Rick said he wanted to buy me something, [...]
Just when I thought I had this whole sending-my-son-to-school thing handled, my “super-mom” friend Cyndi mentions the “first day of school” teacher gifts she’s made for her kids’ teachers and I realize just how clueless I am. You’re supposed to give a gift at meet-the-teacher day? Honestly, I have no [...]
Just when I thought I had this whole sending-my-son-to-school thing handled, my “super-mom” friend Cyndi mentions the “first day of school” teacher gifts she’s made for her kids’ teachers and I realize just how clueless I am. You’re supposed to give a gift at meet-the-teacher day? Honestly, I have no [...]
Someone told me the other day that if you have a single child, you are his playmate 24/7. My husband and I have come to realize the truth in that statement. Growing up, I had an older sister to tag behind. We played goofy games together, got in trouble together, [...]
Someone told me the other day that if you have a single child, you are his playmate 24/7. My husband and I have come to realize the truth in that statement. Growing up, I had an older sister to tag behind. We played goofy games together, got in trouble together, [...]
We’re on a cross-country road trip with our 5-year-old who has a bladder the size of a pea. When he needs to go, he needs to go immediately lest we suffer the consequences of the great flood inside our car. We’ve seen our share of frightful potties along the way. [...]
We’re on a cross-country road trip with our 5-year-old who has a bladder the size of a pea. When he needs to go, he needs to go immediately lest we suffer the consequences of the great flood inside our car. We’ve seen our share of frightful potties along the way. [...]
I’m guilty as the next person of scouring the bookshelves for a clever name for my child. My husband’s only request is that the name not be made up, which meant I had to find proof that someone of some worth had been named Piper (voted down because my husband [...]
I’m guilty as the next person of scouring the bookshelves for a clever name for my child. My husband’s only request is that the name not be made up, which meant I had to find proof that someone of some worth had been named Piper (voted down because my husband [...]
My grandparents bought a boat not long before they retired, and every time we visited them we loaded up and cruised to Catalina Island. I’m not sure why my Grandpa decided to sell the boat, but when he did, they purchased an RV. As a kid I loved traveling in [...]
My grandparents bought a boat not long before they retired, and every time we visited them we loaded up and cruised to Catalina Island. I’m not sure why my Grandpa decided to sell the boat, but when he did, they purchased an RV. As a kid I loved traveling in [...]
I don’t want to get all personal on you, so I won’t share details of my son’s conception except to say that the wine was fine that night. (As it is, well, most nights.) Countless studies show how naughty it is to consume alcohol during pregnancy, but at the point [...]
I don’t want to get all personal on you, so I won’t share details of my son’s conception except to say that the wine was fine that night. (As it is, well, most nights.) Countless studies show how naughty it is to consume alcohol during pregnancy, but at the point [...]
More years ago than I wish to admit, when I was not quite a year old, my parents packed up the birdshit white Volkswagen Camper and drove from Southern California, up through Canada to Flushing, New York. My father was beginning a post-doctorate fellowship in immunology, and my mother was [...]
More years ago than I wish to admit, when I was not quite a year old, my parents packed up the birdshit white Volkswagen Camper and drove from Southern California, up through Canada to Flushing, New York. My father was beginning a post-doctorate fellowship in immunology, and my mother was [...]
I always loved the color pink, soft things and the warm smell of vanilla on my wrist. That was years ago, when there was time to take long baths and my mousey looks were to blame for the groove in my worry stone. Back then I wasn’t going to have [...]
I always loved the color pink, soft things and the warm smell of vanilla on my wrist. That was years ago, when there was time to take long baths and my mousey looks were to blame for the groove in my worry stone. Back then I wasn’t going to have [...]
