Mother/Son

Most of us ponder the meaning of life. In all my trips around the sun, I found that this last one gave me the most insight into the simplest way to find the meaning of life. It all started with some conversations I had with my parents and my in-laws. They’re …

  If you’re like me, I was raised in the era of stern voices and spanking. Just the threat of the wooden spoon and we snapped into order. But what we know now begs for a different tactic on this discipline style. Spanking and yelling at kids teaches them that …

Motherhood is an elevated, high calling. It may not appear that way on the outside looking in, since we often find ourselves in humble places (whether we’re wiping bums, cleaning sticky fingers, breathing deeply amidst our frustrations or moving through difficult feelings of being undervalued or unseen). My hope is …

Last week I suffered a major blow… a huge professional disappointment. It was devastatingly shocking, and I found it difficult to crush back my tears and proceed forward. My first instinct was to give up. I thought, “That was my absolute best… if my best is not good enough, then …

My first baby turned 4 years old today, and I don’t know what to do with myself. Time is the most cunning thief of all thieves. I’m in disbelief at where we’re at, leaving the “baby” stage behind with a now-4-year-old and a 19-month-old. Since I’m feeling sentimental today, I’ll …

“I’m here for you.” I’m here for you too. The conversation was motivating and supportive. It also contained a strong recommendation not to watch the most recent episode of Grey’s Anatomy. She said nicely, “I would wait to watch that one if I were you.” So naturally, I watched the …

I had the privilege of asking 10 reflective questions to moms who are “done” raising their children. (Translation: We know motherhood is never “done” or over with — but this means these moms don’t have children who live in their homes anymore, and their roles in their adult children’s lives have changed). …

Let me get this out of the way from the outset: I never take for granted how blessed I am to be called “Mom” by three spectacular souls. They are everything to me, and Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it allows me to truly recognize and express gratitude …

Tonight I said goodnight to you for the last time as a 1-year-old. It may seem silly to feel so nostalgic. I know nothing changes in the next 12 hours while you sleep. I know you’ll still wake up and greet me at my side of the bed with an …

After taking a year to try out one of the charter schools in town, I decided to put my son back into public school. There are a million reasons, mainly his old school was just a better fit. He would be attending the same public school he attended for first …