Remembering E.L. Konigsburg
Beloved children's author E.L. Konisgburg died April 19 at the age of 83. She was one of only five authors who won the Newbery honor twice. She won it for the first time in 1968 for what is probably...
View ArticleWait -- You Mean Parenting Just Keeps Getting Harder?!
As a mom of young elementary aged kids, I sometimes feel overwhelmed with all we have going on right now. It kind of pushes my buttons when moms of older children get all, "Just wait," on me -- even...
View ArticleThe Best Parenting Advice: Ask Your Kids This Question
Editor's Note: Did you ever read a piece of parenting advice and internally balk? Not because the advice was off the wall, but because you felt convicted of your wrong-doings? Yeah. I felt that way...
View ArticlePlease & Thank You: Teaching Kids Boundaries & Expectations
Editor's Note: It's hard to know what to teach our kids sometimes. Just when you think you've found a way that works, some study or another parent tells you that you're doing it wrong. Even if you feel...
View ArticleMorning Routine Sanity-Saving Checklist
People often ask me how I manage to get all these kids up, dressed, and out the door every morning.Hahahaha, that's a lie. People rarely ask me that, possibly because you'll note the above sentence...
View ArticleCould More Asian American History Prevent Things Like This Blackface Video?
May is Asian-Pacific American History Month, and as the month opens up, one of the topics people are talking about is how a UC Irvine Asian American fraternity could think it was okay to make a YouTube...
View ArticleLetting Go of Cute PJs to Strive for Other Things
Editor's Note: I tend not to argue clothing choices with my youngest son. He rarely matches, except for church, and I honestly just don't care. Why? I'm too busy making sure other things -- other...
View ArticleMy Struggle With the Boy Scouts of America's Ban on Gays (Updated)
Editor's update, May 23: The Boy Scouts of America voted today to end its ban on gay youth members. Gay adults are still not allowed to serve as scout leaders.BREAKING: Boy Scouts of America have voted...
View Article5 Ways to Totally Embarrass Your Child
Before I had children, I made certain vows to myself about what kind of parent I would be. This exercise stretched as far back as my teenage years when I knew for certain that I had the wherewithal to...
View ArticleIt's Almost Time for Summer Break! Oh No!
It is almost that time. The school year is winding down. My favorite time of year is right around the corner. We are sick of homework and school projects. Let's wrap this thing up and bring on SUMMER!I...
View ArticleWhen Reading Becomes the Preferred Form of Playing
Editor's Note: Since our summer break started, I've watched my younger son plead with his older brother to play. "Play with me," he'll say, pouty lip and all. Meanwhile, my older son sits with his head...
View ArticleHPV & Our Sons: Why I'm Vaccinating My Boys
I've always been wary of vaccines. We did choose to vaccinate our children, but at a much slower pace than the suggested multiple-shots-per-doctor's-visit. It's not that I wanted to cause a mumps...
View Article11-Year-Old Sebastien De La Cruz Is an Inspiration to Kids Facing Racism
[Editor's Note: Even if you don't follow the NBA finals, you need to check out the 11-year-old sensation who sang the national anthem two nights last week. Sebastien De La Cruz first sang at last...
View ArticleA Letter to My Sons' Neurotypical Friends
Dear friends,Please don't ever change.At lunch time you ask to sit with Sam and you bring your joke books from home because you know he'll laugh even when he doesn't get the punchline.You play chase...
View ArticleThe Gift of Summer: Getting to Know My Girls Again
“I like helping you,” my daughter Zoe tells me. We are cruising through our neighborhood grocery store, as I weave through the aisles, with my shopping bag overflowing and hanging from the back of...
View ArticleMy Baby Wants to Start Shaving
Dear Mouthy Housewives,My tween (age 9) wants to get rid of the hair on her legs! She is so young but it really bothers her. She has seen me shave but that's about it so I don't know why she is so...
View ArticleHow to Tweeze Your Tween
Let's face it: There comes a day in every girl's life when it's just time to turn those fuzzy caterpillars over your eyes into beautifully arched eyebrows. Today was the day for my daughter. I never...
View ArticleAll I Ever Needed to Know About Parenting I Learned from Carol & Mike Brady
I just got schooled. I guess I had to be here, in this place. This place of banging my head against the wall trying to parent a wacko/pyro 7- almost 8-year-old. I will start with this admission: I am a...
View ArticleI Made My 10-Year-Old a Blog -- and You Should Too!
Last week, my just-turned 10-year-old told me he'd like to film some videos for YouTube on tips for Wiffle Ball. Apparently there is some Wiffle Ball whiz kid who makes videos that my son thinks are...
View ArticleIs There a Sarcasm Gene and Have I Passed It to My Sons?
I remember the first time that I realized my mom had a sense of humor. Sure, we'd had times where we all laughed and joked, but I'm talking about a good, raunchy, somewhat inappropriate appreciation...
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