The First Time You Do Anything Is Scary But Exhilarating
I recently took a trip of firsts. I had the opportunity to attend a writer’s retreat (my first) just outside the city of Omaha. Since I had never before been…
Read moreCan There Be Good News About Bad Behavior?
There is one thing that new parents agree on: They have no idea what they’re doing. Even when things start to go smoothly and they think they’ve finally got the…
Read moreAre You Really Saying What You Think You Are?
In Voice Lessons for Parents: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Listen, Wendy Mogel, Ph.D. provides a guide for parents to communicate with their children at…
Read morePlease, Don’t Tell Me I Look Great
I generally don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I believe in setting goals, but making grand declarations just because the calendar changes seems silly to me. That being said, I…
Read moreSavoring the Moments With the “Big Kids”
Nowadays, a few weeks a year have become my “collecting weeks.” With two currently in college, in geographically opposite directions, one an hour and the other five hours away, this…
Read moreHacking Parenthood Is a Useful Handbook for Parents
One of the really fun things about being a writer is meeting other writers and getting to read their work. Last month I got an advance copy of the book,…
Read moreHomeless and Hungry Are Situations, Not People
Yesterday I attended the second annual #RealCollege: A National Convening on College Food & Housing Insecurity. Just about a year ago, I learned that there is a significant issue on…
Read moreMy First Year on the Other Side
Last year I celebrated a milestone birthday, one that is frequently met with black balloons and obnoxious cards (thankfully my family spared me that). It was my second year as…
Read moreThe Teddy Bears Picnic to the Rescue
I just discovered that National Teddy Bear Picnic Day was this week. Though it is unclear when the holiday started, it is celebrated on July 10 and was likely inspired…
Read moreBasking in the Smells of Summer, Memories Flow and Make Me Smile
Certain smells bring back memories. I find this to be particularly true in the summer, maybe because I spend more time outdoors. Certain summer smells bring me back to my…
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