#parenting

The Surprise Quarantine Gift

Life had a calm empty-nest rhythm. Then, this spring, everything changed. We had not planned to shelter together with our grown children....

Heroes, Bullies, and Taking a Seat

Nine years ago, my daughter’s friend was bullied in the playground. It started out as a joke, a quirky game. As the “game” progressed,...

When Mother Doesn't Know Best

I used to love P.D. Eastman’s book, Are You My Mother? The story was about a baby bird whose mother was nowhere to be found when he...

The Curse of Being the "Easy" Child

I still remember my daughter’s third grade teacher conference, although it happened over a decade ago. Ms. P. and I squatted on the...

The Teen You Used to Be

Do you remember being a teenager? Do you remember what you were like, and the things that you did? Your memories might help you be a...

Graduating and Gone: A Love Story for my Girl

My oldest daughter, Julia, graduated from college this weekend. My work as her mother is not fully finished, but surely this graduation...

What To Do When You are Wrong

I messed up this week. I said something stupid to my daughter. At the time, I thought I had to help her by giving her my opinion, even...