Aaron Traister at Salon.com argues for the former:
After 14 uninterrupted hours of childcare, making the transition from Diego and diaper cream to Jim Lehrer and Paul Krugman is an exhausting prospect. If I ever muster the energy to investigate what is going on in the world outside the baby [...]
The E! show The Soup revealed a promo for a new show coming up on TLC, a.k.a the Trainwreck Lives Channel, that combines all your favorite elements from their other popular shows. Take a look:
Bookmark to:
The status of my pubic hair, or lack thereof
What I did last summer
how incredbly drunk im am
My application of quantum field theory in a static black hole background
Kittens
Bookmark to:When Roman Polanski dies, he will not be known for his brilliant films like Rosemary’s Baby or The Pianist.
He will be known as a sexual predator who used his riches and fame to escape the hand of the law.
Yes. It is a shame that such a brilliant talent will go [...]
Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
~ Elizabeth Stone
The collision seemed to happen – as these things always do – in excruciatingly slow motion. In a burst of reckless [...]
I am an ironic dinosaur, career-wise. I began my writing on the Internet when I discovered, quite by happy accident, that some kind souls would actually PAY me to do what I would happily have done for free at the time. In the early days of the internet, public [...]
I suspect that civilization, as a whole, took a nosedive the very moment people started trying to reason with children. Children are, by nature, unreasonable. Children are basically egos with lungs and legs. Nonetheless, modern parents seem to spend an inordinate amount of time trying to coax, cajole and [...]
You just never think it will happen to you. Then, one day you are caught. Transfixed. A deer in the headlights. You stare in horror as comprehension (and a wrinkle) slowly dawns. You are aging.
If there is anything to be learned from growing older it is that [...]
The other night I was being a lazy parent and I got punished for it.
I heard the kids jumping on their bed, something my husband and I have pleaded with them tirelessly not to do, and I also heard some good old-fashion rough-housing between boys. I was lying in [...]
Am I the only one that misses Madison Ave. using honest-to-god jingles to pitch crap to children? They don’t make them like they used to:
Bookmark to:Last year’s NotBlogHer conference was so much fun I decided to put on another one. This year, it took extra planning and effort not to attend BlogHer since it was in my home town of Chicago. There were a couple of hiccups along the way but overall it was [...]
If you spend your life trying to impress and keep up with everyone else, you are not living your own life - you are living theirs. ~ Unknown
Like most couples Mr. Wonderful and I certainly had our “salad days.” We lived on love and not much else. Back then, [...]
Today’s topic of discussion comes courtesy of Lenore Skenazy, who’s recent book Free-Range Kids: Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts with Worry came to my attention this morning. Ms. Skenazy feels that the constant 24-hour barrage of news on cable television has turned this generation [...]
I recently went on a four-day cruise with my girls. Sun, great beaches, a nice chance to get away from it all. Leave all the technology behind and relax, yes?
I did. Others, not so much. I was astounded at how many people couldn’t take a short break from their phone [...]
It’s been a few years, but I’m fairly certain I taught my son to speak. I have a dim recollection of spending many happy afternoons coaxing his sweet baby-self to say “mama! Ma-ma! You can do it sweetie, Mama!” only to thrill to that blessed, blissful day when he cracked [...]
At just over 6 months into his presidency, Obama might be showing some weaknesses. His administration may be wondering if he’s not as fail-proof as the media and his former supporters have bragged about in the recent past. Recently, Ohio marked the first state that went [...]
Oscar G. Mayer, the man responsible for most kids’ introduction to processed meat — bologna and hot dogs — died Monday in Wisconsin. He was 95. While Mayer’s father and uncle were the ones who founded the Oscar Mayer Foods company, Oscar Jr. was the one [...]
People are often surprised to discover that I camp. I know how that is. I’m often surprised myself.
I am not an outdoorsy type of gal. I’m more the indoorsy type - with cable. When we camp I expect, at minimum, an air mattress to keep my princess-and-the-pea-like self [...]
End of year DVDs are a popular classroom memento. After all, who doesn’t love a nice reminder of the highlights of the past school year? The classmates. The holiday parties. The science fair. The couch sex.
Yes, the couch sex. An Elk Grove, California teacher sent home a DVD that included [...]
This morning we had parent/teacher interviews with both the girls’ teachers. I wont reveal the details of the discussions obviously but I will say that there is an issue with one of our children that is of some concern and we will be monitoring things closely, as will her teacher.
One [...]
A few years ago I wrote a column about how that upcoming summer’s gas was predicted to top $2.50 per gallon. At the time that seemed outlandish. Now it just sounds quaint.
Gas. My husband once noted, dryly, that I was less “stay at home mom” and more [...]
When I heard Michael Jackson died, I felt like part of my youth had permanently disappeared.
For me, learning of his death is now one of those moments where I’ll always remember what I was doing at the time. I was at Kohl’s, looking for shoes. I had to put down the Dana Buchman flats and fire [...]
The Interwebs have been aflutter over Jon and Kate Gosselin. Who did what to whom? How much of a role did the cameras play in the disintegration of their relationship? Did their greed compromise their judgment as parents and as life partners? Who cheated [...]
Yes. I know how to cook.
No, I do not believe “Miracle Whip” and Kraft macaroni and cheese are their own food groups.
Yes, I get that your homemade sauce stewed from tomatoes you grew your very own self with seeds you obtained from Tibetan Monks on your epicurean tour of the [...]
Disclaimer: I wrote this after 3 days of no coffee.
When I was pregnant, I devoured pregnancy books like they were my crack. I can tell you why I think the cry it out method sucks, spanking is awful, and what attatchment parenting means. I know what to expect when anyone’s [...]
Photo by Flo Holzinger
As an aging American population continues to drive, society may have to be honest with themselves and hold the elderly accountable if and when their age precludes them from driving. As seniors age significantly, medical advances might have increased their [...]
With all the Kate Gosselin spanking Leah “controversy” floating around the internet today, I thought it would be a good time to introduce a new feature, the Wednesday Coffee Talk. Each week I’ll throw out a topic for all of us to chew on and [...]
A California school district recently adopted a new tolerance curriculum which includes a book, “And Tango makes Three”. The story — about gay penguins, is geared towards Kindergartners. The curriculum is being billed as age appropriate and claims to teach tolerance about human differences and [...]
My son turns two in August. He’s been exhibiting a lot of behavior that falls squarely into the “terrible twos” category since about 17/18 months. I’ve been told this is normal. I’ve been told it gets better at two, then bad again at three. I’ve been told “just wait until [...]
So, I got my toddler something I thought she’d enjoy so much she’d burst: Old School Sesame Street.
I myself was fully prepared for Ernie and Berts cozy basement apartment, Oscar and his mood swings, and whatever else was thrown at us as we passed a lazy Sunday away. I wasn’t [...]
I had almost forgotten about the once-infamous “Octomom”, i.e. Nadya Suleman. Then I got this article via Google Alert. We all knew it was coming-it was only a question of when. When is the reality show coming to a network near you????
Nadya Suleman, the mother [...]
I have a confession to make. I am not a rabid watcher of Jon and Kate + 8. I know, it’s amazing I can even hold my head up in polite society. I don’t know how I make it through the day, so bereft am I of hot conversational topics [...]
Every few years, I write on the very important topic of immunizing your children on time. As new reports and news stories become available, it allows me the opportunity to advocate for a very important cause - child vaccinations.
In recent years, well meaning parents enlightened and emboldened by mere conjecture [...]
After I gave birth to my daughter, I waited patiently for my stomach to go back to normal. I breast fed, and pumped like a sleep deprived zombie, all the while clucking inside as my uterus worked at cramping, and contracting, thus bringing my belly back to size.
Fast forward almost [...]
Okay I am officially over the burning of my Rack of Lamb last week. You may think I’ve been obsessed with AMERICAN IDOL since it is all I’ve written about lately. Not true. I have MOTHER’S DAY issues. And although I ordinarily function better in my [...]
I had so much fun live blogging the Jon & Kate Season 4 finale that I thought I would do it again and add my commentary to the much anticipated Season 5 premiere when JON AND KATE FACE EACH OTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME! Dun-dun-DUNNNN! Although I have a [...]
It’s no secret that Catholic School teachers aren’t always nuns these days, but who knew they were saints? Well, they’re apparently supposed to be, anyway. I caught an article today about an unmarried, male Catholic school teacher who was fired after staying at his girlfriend’s house overnight. The man had [...]
The last few weeks on Idol have been stupid. AlthoughKris seems to be a really sweet kid and I did enjoy his joy, ( I have said before, I am a junkie for the happiness and dream reaching factor here) Danny is a more exciting and [...]
I am so glad that Adam Lambert started with “Mad World” tonight because I was one of the many frustrated ones who suffered the dvr timing blues the week he sang it. “Ain’t No Sunshine” was the first performance by Kris that got my attention. I [...]
There’s simply no getting around it. I’m about to break my mother’s heart. I have continued to live in the same town I was born in, the same town where my parents still live. I got married here, had my own babies here, and I have stayed here for work [...]
An interesting effect is expected to come out of the disaster Hurricane Ike brought forth: a mini baby boom. One hospital in Houston has even gone as far as building an extra wing in anticipation of the surge in births. That seems a little [...]
The Chicago City Council approved the ban on a 48-0 vote and a spokeswoman for Mayor Richard M. Daley said he intends [...]
Right to life groups are going berserk over Sweden’s recent decision to allow women to abort based on gender under their current universal health care benefit. Whether you agree that unborn babies have certain rights or not, should tax payers be required to pay for their neighbor’s wish to discard [...]
Photo by Tsunei Miyuki, Japan
The other day my 5th grader came home and said that he was scared. Scared a gunman was going to wreck havoc on his school, bust down the door, either at school or at home and shoot him [...]As I reach the milestone of my tenth official Mother’s Day, I find that I appreciate my own mother so much more. The same woman who I viewed as an idiot who had escaped her village at times in my teens, has proven to know a few things after all. [...]
I am an admitted TV junkie and watch quite a few programs a week. My hands-down favorite, I-will-stop-what-I’m-doing-and-watch, drama at present is In Treatment.
In Treatment is an HBO series about Paul Weston (played by Gabriel Byrne, my new celebrity crush), who is a therapist in Brooklyn. Each episode features a patient [...]
I was watching American Idol last night, waiting for Ryan Seacrest to announce how many gazillion people voted and who would be leaving the competition. (By the way, America got it wrong; no way should Allison have been voted off.) But the whole time, I was thinking about what other programs I [...]
Photo by Justas Cekas
Why are we pushing college on every kid when not every kid is cut out for it? There’s no shame in not going to college, in fact, going to college just may be a waste of time for most high [...]
Photo by Jason Morrison, GA
Ahhh, the California court system. You gotta love it. It’s always a good source of controversy, surprise and water cooler fodder. You just never know which way they’re going to go on any given court review. A colorful [...]As usual, instead of working I’m looking up books on Amazon so I can request them from my library. This is my attempt at being a frugal person, and thus far it’s not working so well because I have a problem getting to the library before I am charged $20 [...]
The initial impact of parenthood snuck up and smacked me upside the head. No one was as stunned as Mr. Wonderful and I as the day we were told that the “me” that had only recently become “we” would soon become “three.” We had talked about starting a family in [...]
Maybe my little April Fool’s prank wasn’t so far off after all — looks like Jon Gosselin of Jon & Kate Plus 8 fame has been caught by US Weekly photographers in the company of another woman leaving [...]
Photo by Sophie, Montreal, Canada
As a parent, I fall as easy prey to the ongoing hype about the new flu virus which mixes a variety of varmint strains, making the rare leap to infecting humans. Establishing patient zero as a cute [...]It was the use of the phrase “party circuit” that finally put me over the edge. The phrase was used in conjunction with the word “birthday” as in “are you doing the birthday party circuit?” The term used to explain that any self-respecting modern child must first have their “actual [...]
Photo by Sean Dreilinger
I’ve written in the past about a supposedly emerging and progressive parenting philosophy which seems to result in total resignation and absolving of any parental responsibility to raise well mannered children. Since the topic was brought up in a [...]
I attended our son’s 5th grade musical at his school the other night and as any parent knows, having a school program where the kids sing silly songs for the sake of singing them is verboten nowadays, and instead there needs to be a “message.” Don’t do [...]
Photo by Joel Rorabaugh, AR
What’s wrong with you? (Physically, not mentally, I know there’s probably a lot wrong with you mentally. If you care to share, we can all commiserate.)I’m going to be 40 this summer and if that didn’t suck bad [...]
Photo by Wesley S., vancouver, BC
In another effort to eliminate any kind of personal responsibility, NYC’s counsilman Eric Gioia is putting forth a vote for an ordinance that would prevent any fast food restaurants from opening within a tenth of a [...]
If I could talk to the animals what I’d say is “ Look, I don’t CARE if you never speak another word to me but I’d appreciate it if you’d talk to EACH OTHER.”
For the past three days a small brown bird has been trying valiantly to come [...]
I haven’t been into the TV as much these days. American Idol and Dancing with the Stars are boring me to tears, and other series are saving the big guns for sweeps next month. But there are a couple programs worthy of my precious DVR space. The Real Housewives [...]
It says, “Eight-to 12-year-olds in this country already spend more than $40 million a month [...]
Having two children less than two years apart teaches a person a lot about parenting. The problem is that the “students” will be too bone tired for the first six years to remember a single bit of it.
Nonetheless, the one thing I do recall learning is that I’m not the only [...]
Caution, you’re about to enter the twilight zone as you read the latest Department of Homeland Security report.
Are you concerned about any of the following issues?….(You just might be a redneck terrorist.)!
A footnote in the report, “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling [...]
There are no words that suffice when you learn that a child has died. None.
Nothing is big enough. Strong enough. Soothing enough. You want your words to be a balm to soothe the soul. A blanket to envelop - and even ward off - the grief. And yet it is [...]
Sometimes I feel like a fraud- I write for a living and I use this term loosely because I do much more farting around than actually putting out any decent work. To be frank, most of the time when I should be writing, I’m looking at design blogs that feature [...]
Join our sex goddess the Mominatrix on the air this morning, as she talks about the complexity of dating and raising children at the same time. You think managing your sex life when you have kids is difficult, try being a single parent. We would love to hear from [...]
As though this topic han’t been run into the ground enough, let’s talk Octomom. (Dead horse, I beat thee.) I’ve watched with mild fascination all of her interviews and read most of the articles on her life. And, honestly, like most people, the more I hear about her, the more [...]
I remember it like it was yesterday, the day that Bridget, Holly, and Kendra moved into OUR house. <sigh> It was one evening a couple of years ago, shortly after Hubs put a television in our bedroom, something I had resisted for years. But what does [...]
Photo by Simon Stratford
I received an email yesterday from a reader seeking advice on a situation he was dealing with. He wants to know if the situation he describes would be considered neglectful. I asked and was given permission to post his email [...]
Sari and I were looking for something to watch on television last night and nothing was exciting us. Everything on the dish lineup was lame. Was it too much to ask for something GOOD with good CHARACTERS and ORIGINALITY that wasn’t a REALITY SHOW, FRIENDS derivative [...]
On her show yesterday Oprah revealed the “truth” about motherhood – it’s exhausting and frequently embarrassing. Oh, and we mothers judge each other too much.
What the hell?
Of COURSE we judge each other. How are we supposed to feel better about the lousy job we are doing unless we find someone [...]
Sometimes I think my husband and I are the town curmudgeons. Other parents seem to find a way to excuse or reconcile the wild antics of undisciplined children — we don’t. I don’t think it’s cute, appropriate or excusable.
A few weeks ago, we went to a [...]
I love my husband like I love cheeseburgers and french fries. He’s a super awesome guy, and together we have created a little lady that’s smart and kissable. We are raising puppies, kittens, and chickens together. We are both around 24-7 since we work from home, and yet never run [...]
Photo by Rachel Kirk
If you raised a child as your own for two whole years, how could you simply detach yourself from that child like you would a an unwanted pet? That’s exactly what two Russian women did when they found out that [...]
Does anybody else get excited for a big night with snacks and the Fam to watch the annual Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards? Should I be embarrassed to say that I do?
This is only our third year and all 4 of us, ages 9, 13, 40 & [...]
UPDATE: Now that the “holiday” has passed, it’s probably only fair to warn wayward Googlers that the below was made up as an April Fools prank, and we are not aware of any trouble with Jon & Kate Gosselin’s marriage.
Jon Gosselin, [...]
Circa 1979.
Before 911. Before Hurricane Katrina. Before global warming. Before Chernobyl. Before houses worth became less than what we paid for [...]
You know, not every episode of American Idol needs a new post, but I do like chatting it up and seeing what you all think about each week’s performances. Likewise, not every comment fits under the title of “Danny Gokey” or “Adam Lambert” for pete’s sake! [...]
I’m in a hurry to get things done, I rush and rush until life’s no fun.
~ Alabama
Clearly there is one dire shortage above all others that should certainly concern us all. America is running out of time.
All we ever hear about anymore is how busy everyone is. [...]
Lets be honest
How messy are you?
And lets get even more honest…
If you have one of those super neat [jealous] awesome clean [super jealous] homes where I can eat off the floor if I felt like it, tell me, HOW DO YOU DO IT?
I’m going to show you all something
[...]
I did not set out to become an activist. It just sort of happened.
I was shy as a child, or so they tell me. I know my poor mother just walks around in a perpetual state [...]
Tattoo Barbie (aka the less threatening/intimidating and more palatable “Butterfly Art Barbie”) is the source of high controversy among some parents. According to one Sacramento parent:
“It’s attracting kids too young to want to expose parts of their body to show off tattoos,”
Does [...]
Join our sex goddess the Mominatrix on the air this morning, as she tackles a difficult task all of us parents are doomed to face — talking about sex with our children. What age is appropriate? What’s the best way to approach the subject? We’ll hash all that out [...]
As the recession drags on and deepens, people everywhere are looking for ways to save and cut back wherever they can: the grocery bill, alternate transportation, family planning.
Massive layoffs all around the country have infused uncertainty into the future in all areas. People are asking themselves: ‘Should we have [...]
As you may have guessed, I’m pretty fond of the man I married. Crazy about him even. This does not, however, prevent me from engaging in an enjoyable pastime shared by many married folk: The “what I would do if you were dead” conversations.
I blame quite a bit of this [...]
Continuing with the live blogging of the Jon & Kate season finale, second episode.
8:30: IT’S ALL BEEN BUILDING TO THIS! “This” being the season finale, which is technically true.
8:31: Oooh, thought they pulled the trigger early, should have known they only meant they would be getting a new set.
8:32: With [...]
Given all the buzz surrounding tonight’s Jon & Kate finale, I thought I would check it out for myself and give my 2 cents in real time. Obviously the below will contain spoilers, so don’t bother if you’re going to watch the episode later. First up, a trip to [...]
I think I have said before that one of the reasons I like to watch Desperate Housewives is the way they go so far over the top yet manage to stay just enough grounded to remain believable. I am often left laughing at a far fetched [...]
I work at private hospital as an “intake coordinator” which means I’m the gatekeeper who qualifies individuals and makes appointments for those with sufficient health insurance. I also coordinate treatments and travel logistics for patients who are traveling from out of town — this all makes me [...]
Sometimes, I get so pissed off that I’m a mother.
No, no let me rephrase that…
Sometimes, I get so pissed off that I’m a mother without a village of support. A village that will hang with my kid so I can take a crap in private, without the door open, [...]
UPDATE: The judges have spoken and ruled that comment number 12 left by “Jennifer” was the first closest response when she said “I think they are going to talk about adjusting to the ‘fame’ and the increase in income. How its affecting their lives.” I think we [...]
As much as I like to think that I keep up with pop culture I have to admit that I had no idea who these Kardashians were until E! gave them a reality show. I have done my best to ignore it now that I’m aware [...]
Over at CNN.com, John D. Sutter is talking about how experts’ observation that the “sex talk” is easier than the money talk for most families.
Really?
Really?!?!
Is it easier to impart basic wisdom to our kids about where babies come from than it is to explain basic concepts of finance?
[...]
So I’m already lazy as sin and prone to sloth and the news that poor Natasha Richardson has died following a bump on her head in a skiing accident is doing nothing to inspire or motivate to do more with my life activity-wise.
It is just so sad - how [...]
Join our sex goddess the Mominatrix on the air this morning, when her guest will be Joy Wilson of Book 22 — an online store that sells “intimacy products for married couples” and who prays to God for guidance before adding a new product to her shop. [...]
I’m not Catholic, I don’t really believe in God, I’m not even very religious. Reading this article on CNN about the Pope’s initial visit to Cameroon and his reaffirmation of banning condoms in Africa really illustrates how religious beliefs get in the way of common sense.
If the Catholic [...]
