As a parent, it can feel like you need to have every answer—but no one has it all figured out. That’s why we’re here. These real-life experiences come from parents doing their best. Learn how they handle technology, finances, travel, friendship and everything in between.
My husband, John, and I read the paper online every day. It’s not a perfect method as it adds more screen time for each of us and we actually prefer holding a paper in our hands. Print media is fondly remembered, but the online option was a decision we made and we’ve...
Dear Reader: You have been on my heart lately. I am often curious as to who actually reads my blogs. Each new month, I write, I delete, I rewrite, with the vision of you, my audience, in my heart as I prepare to share our stories. And while each month I share a small...
My daughter turned eight over the weekend. We had a small slumber party with her closest friends. But the day before the party, I threatened to cancel it altogether. It’s not just toddlers that have tantrums, even older kids can lose their cool. This happens to...
Every day, for over a month, I have been anxious to get more information about the war in Ukraine. Every day provides a change in the situation as Russia continues to cause uncertainty in Ukraine and around the world. Some news broadcasters believe the Russian...
Do you ever just want to quit? Your heart is overwhelmed, the busyness is all-consuming. There are definitely seasons like this and for some, it happens more than others. Some of us can stop and look at the flowers, for others we stop, pick the flowers, run home, cut...
The dreaded question, “where do babies come from?” Cohen starts middle school next year and I think it’s time to have the talk. Yes, the “TALK” talk. The talk that no parent looks forward to, but all parents know it's critical. Having "The Talk" There is no perfect or...
The word detox, do you all remember when it was associated with the latest cleansing fad? Now the word is more often associated with stepping away from technology - digital detox. I often wonder how difficult it is to step away from technology? Our phones are our...
If it hasn’t happened already, it probably will at some point: the moment you don’t like one of your child’s friends. What do you do? I remember when I was growing up and my mom didn’t love me spending time with one of the girls in our neighborhood. She didn’t forbid...
I read the following the other day and I thought it made a great deal of sense as I wonder what my grandkids are thinking about today’s world: You can give them your love, but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts. -Kahil Gilbran I don’t follow a...
At what age should your child be allowed to get a cell phone? Talk about a loaded question, especially if you're a parent arguing this point with your child who is upset that they are the only kid in school without a phone. Nowadays, the internet told me that the...
During the pandemic, I tried lots of new things. I enrolled in many online lessons to stay active during lockdown. I also used these diversions to provide some levity to my grandkids' lives. I didn’t expect them to take on my new challenges or learn new skills, but I...
Two weeks ago our middle daughter broke her hand during a high school softball game. The sport she absolutely loves. That night I instantly knew something was wrong when she pulled herself from the game and said, “Mom, I cannot get my glove on.” Going from Manager to...
I learned the meaning of a new phrase the other day. As a retired educator, I hope I continue to learn new words, theories and skills. You’re never too old. My grandkids continue to teach me new techniques for using the phone and live streaming on the TV. You’re never...
I'm a huge fan of routine, and so are my kids. I’m not the most organized of moms, and I’m certainly not a very organized housewife. However, I do believe that my kids need routine, and so do I. Their routine is good for me. During the summer, our routine went out the...
It's important to have clear expectations for your children starting at a young age. Having specific rules about chores, curfew and other expectations can make life easier for you and your child. It can also help your child gain confidence, grow and learn to be...
This past year and a half has been interesting. Vaccinations have changed life dramatically. Being able to hug my grandkids with more gusto, probably much to their chagrin, since everyone has received their shots. Seeing book club friends for the first time in years...
I've listened to Matthew McConaughey’s audiobook Greenlights three times since I bought it in March. He starts out his memoir by discussing his approach to life and explained that he remembered more of his life than he forgot through reading his journals. This had me...
I can’t believe COVID-19 is still here. I don’t know what I expected back in March 2020, but I never imagined it would grow to such a threat and become so devastating to the world. I frequently will remark to my grandkids about the pandemic and how I’ve never seen...
I don’t need to tell you that this is the second Easter of the pandemic. It’s funny how I’m starting to keep track of events by connecting them to COVID-19. Many of our friends have received their second vaccine, but we're just starting to talk about getting together...
There are days where doors open for opportunities, and there are days where the doors are closed. Sometimes we slam the doors shut in hopes they never open again. And then there are those days where we shut the door only to walk away not noticing the door slightly...
We’ve been having problems with our cell phone and laptop lately. The electronic “fix it” stores could no longer help us as our devices were so old. How old were they? They were so old that I still used the chisel on my clay tablet. Getting Help From Our Granddaughter...
Being a parent is amazing. It's hard. It's challenging. It's tiring. It's scary. It's rewarding. The list could actually never end. For me, one of the most rewarding moments as a parent is watching our kids pursue their passions. Maybe it's the career and technical...
Getting a 100% on a test. Unloading the dishwasher. Playing your hardest in a game. These are all reasons why a parent could reward their child. But is the reward necessary and does it help? Or are the above reasons what is expected of them? When I was growing up, I...
Many years ago, I read The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. This book challenged my thoughts on chasing dreams and praying circles around my dreams and goals. It's this time every year I go back and read my notes and highlights of the book. I spend much time reflecting...
Investing in your future is one of the best lessons you can instill in a child. Yes, I’m talking stock market, here. It’s never too early or too late, for that matter, to learn all about the stock market. It can be a fun process and you can even use play money. Let me...
The world certainly is in an interesting place. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and the upcoming election, I find my emotions all over the place. There are times when I want to cry, and I do cry. There are times when I want to scream,...
Early in my teaching career, I took a strengths assessment, and I was not surprised at what was at the top of my list: achiever, discipline, learner and focus. I can see the many times in my life where all of these qualities are alive and thriving. For this specific...
We’d all like our kids to thrive in academics, the arts, sports and overall at being a good person. Here’s another item to add to our wish list for their success: friendship. I want to see my children happy, engaged and interacting with their peers. Is My Child...
With football season less than a month away (fingers crossed) and the potential for e-learning, there seems to be more alcohol in our household. Let’s be honest, my children are the reason I drink; therefore, I can drink in front of my children. In fact, given the...
Di-vorce - the legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body. But what does that mean to a child? I’d like to start off by saying my husband and I are not getting a divorce! I repeat, Mitch and I just celebrated our 10-year anniversary, and we are...
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