My first few years of parenting were hard, really hard. If they were a journey, they were climbing a steep mountain face with a hundred pound pack on my back and a baby carrier strapped to my chest. It was …
Creative Ideas for Eating Out With Littles
Dining with littles is no small task. My husband and I are foodies, and we enjoy the mystery of going to new restaurants and trying different foods. When our girls were small, it didn’t take long to realize we needed …
The Reason I Apologize to My Children
I apologize to my girls. Quickly and often. There are two reasons for this. First I fumble through parenting and make daily mistakes, so I give myself frequent opportunity to have to say “I’m sorry”. Second, I’m showing them the …
When You Don’t Know How to Play With Your Kids
Playing is hard for me. It always has been. A few months ago, my niece asked me to play dolls with her. As the mother of two car-loving boys, I had no idea how to play with dolls. I’ve finally …
The Vulnerability of Miscarriage
I have a story to tell. It isn’t an easy one to share. It’s deeply personal and I wish it had never happened to me. And yet this story is one of the most defining moments of my journey in …
Not My Child: Protecting My Son From a Sexual Predator
Several years ago, our family was befriended by a community acquaintance with whom we shared some extracurricular activities. Over time, this man (I’ll call him Bob), began paying attention to my 2-year-old son. He’d ask my son for high fives …
Five Things Moms Need to Hear
“Take off your shoes before you kick your brother in the head!” I said that once while on the phone with my sister. I told her to hang on a sec and blurted out those words. I didn’t even realize …
How to Be Vulnerable
“Can I cry?” The deluge of tears and snot began, of course, before this terse sentence had even left my lips. I was mired in a season of life where I felt like nothing but one huge, raw, exposed nerve, …
Teaching My Children Generosity
“You have to share!” “Take turns!” “Give it to her already!” “I’m sorry, but you just can’t have it your way. All. Of. The. Time!” My attempts to guide my children toward kind, generous behavior go from patient to livid …
Financial Peace: Beyond Budgeting
It used to be that four subjects were taboo to discuss around the dining room table — sex, politics, religion and money. Today the only topic you can’t mention is money. Conversation about money is considered impolite. Can you imagine …