I recently let down the neighbor kid in a major way. He made me sign a pledge to stop using bottled water for 6 months. Or was it 6 weeks? I can’t remember. I should ask my boys. They were...
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We’ve had enough of your thoughts and prayers
Turn your thoughts and prayers into actions and noise. USE YOUR VOICE! Nothing will change otherwise. And mark my words: change will come. Thoughts and prayers to those who do nothing.
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Why bedtime is a whacked out game of Bingo
We’re potty training little brother right now. Which entails saying things like, “You’re a big boy now!” This is met with wails of protest from the bigger boy in the house. Who likes to remind us that’s he almost 4....
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The one thing you need to tell your gifted kid
They handed me a list of supplies to collect. Including rubber cement. Because we’d be doing arts and crafts. Do you remember rubber cement? It kinda looks like honey and oozes delightfully off the little brush when you unscrew the...
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The two things I know about Jesus
“Mommy, why did Jesus have to die? I wish he was still alive.” And so it begins… You know what? Jesus wants us to love other people and to be kind. If you do those two things, it’s like Jesus...
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You might be a #BoyMom if
Let’s embrace the age of androgyny in which we live. And expand the definition of boy. Because my dad is old school and doesn’t think little guys should have GIRL HAIR. You might be a #BoyMom if… Little man likes...
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4 bizarre things the kiddos (probably don’t) need
There are things your kiddos DO need. Like broccoli, the occasional bath and 12 hugs a day. Then there’s all the junk you can buy for them online. Take my hand. (Think of it as a virtual hug. Because mommas...
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How to raise generous children (and stock the shelves at the local food bank)
Early in my career I was the marketing director of a beloved shopping center. That sounds weird, I know. How can you love a shopping center? But it’s true. This mall has been around since 1957 and it’s the place...
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Here’s to the joy of sweet, little destructive boys
“You failed to tell me how destructive small boys can be. Especially to Christmas ornaments.” That was the message of distress dear Sarah sent me, as she shewed away her male youngins from the holiday decor. (By the way, spell...
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My kid-friendly, rainy day, dance party playlist
Saturday was rainy and cabin-fever-inducing. You know, one of those days where Pinterest can save you with its 50 million ideas for how to entertain the kiddos. But I’m not really crafty. In high school, I was in Acteens. This...
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Can we just stop with the book bans already?
Books are windows to peer into another person’s life and understand them better. Banning books that reflect the experiences of people different from ourselves harms all children - and hides the truth.
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Here’s why I’m delaying kindergarten for my kiddo
At 18 months, my son was dribbling basketballs. It was a sight to behold. This kid is athletically inclined. Or so we thought. Fast forward to this spring when, at age 4.5, we stuck him in tennis lessons and on...
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10 tips for car-tripping with toddlers
I’m getting ready to stab out both my eyes. From the thought of spending ad infinitum hours in the car with two small children. Yes, I want to go to the beach. No, I don’t want to travel to the...
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I remember the school shooter drills
I don't teach anymore, but I remember the drills. I remember the nervous chatter of middle schoolers as we huddled in the farthest corner, the door locked, the room dark, objects in hand ready to throw at an assailant.
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Poolside potty training tips
My kid is a potty professional. As in, when he needs to go, he goes. As in, we don’t need to remind him over and over and over and…to potty. It’s all: git er done! He went diaper-free at two....
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