Parenting & Beyond

I pride myself on being a keen observer of the humorous, outlandish, and conversation starters that permeate our everyday. And because my 2023 is off to a tumultuous start, I’m sending some laughter out into the world through this series of easily digestible...

There is no way to stop pain. Being human means that you will have different levels of pain throughout your life and at each stage, but your perspective will guide how you handle and live with it. A baby’s pain is an ouchie that is soothed by a kiss. A child’s pain...

During my four-year stint as a fifth-grade teacher, I was charged with teaching the course, Growing & Changing—essentially the basic science behind the birds and the bees and what the prepubescent body will be encountering. While this was one of my most awkward...

Dear Santa, I would love a female life assistant for Christmas. She must enjoy tackling endless mountains of laundry, scrubbing dry dog urine from random corners, repotting plants, running an inordinate number of errands, and other various jobs as needed. Other tasks...

Neighbors are a unique lot. When you buy a home, especially in the foothills, you never quite know what you’re going to get. We have cabins next to mansions, modern architecture next to turn-of-the-century, commuters next to work-from-homers. If you’re lucky, you’ll...

Maybe it’s the rhythmic hush of the waves, the scent of sea salt, an absence of devices, or the fact that I’ve lived in a landlocked state most of my life, but I’m able to transport my brain to another dimension when I get near the ocean. This dimension is devoid of...

A strange sensation in my back stirred me awake; the red digital clock read 2 am. My husband’s strong and rhythmic breathing led me to believe he was in the depths of slumber, so I stared at the crack in the ceiling above us, longing for exhaustion to take me. As my...

What is it about family that causes us to brave airline travel Armageddon to be together? I believe part of it is to reconnect with those who helped form us. The other part is to physically observe how everyone is faring and exposing ourselves to the wide circle of...

I’m beginning to recognize the subtle signs of aging in myself. For so long, I swept the annoying creaks and aches that accompanied my 40s under the carpet. Now, as I reach the latter part of these years, that carpet is beginning to swell with a slew of other fun...

They say it takes 21 days to establish a new routine or habit. Typically, this applies to reducing sugar intake, biting nails or starting a new exercise routine. What about doing something for 19 years? Has anyone ever discussed how difficult it is to stop doing...

After having hosted every single themed birthday celebration for my two kids, from Elmo to paint ball, I find myself ill prepared to give up on the excitement that comes with an upcoming birthday. While my older teenage children are past the themed birthday stage, I’m...

I had a total of 32 hours to myself recently because my husband brought my teenage son with him on an overnight business trip and my daughter is off at college. I suppose you could really call it 21 hours due to the 11 hours spent sleeping. This is only because I...