Writers should stick with writing about what they know, and as a mom to two teenagers and an adolescent, I’m an expert at annoying youngsters emerging from childhood and on the cusp of adulthood. My children believe I’m so talented at it I should share my wisdom. So here are twenty-five tips for driving a teenager stark, raving mad: Say Hello. Good Morning. Goodnight. … [Read more...]
My First Movie Date With My Son (Hopefully it Won’t Be My Last)
“Mom, this was the first time you and I ever saw a movie alone, just the two of us.” “No, that can’t be? Are you sure?” I was watching my 18-year-old son, coffee cup in his hand, looking up at me between bites of his doughnut. We decided to grab a snack before heading home after watching Hidden Figures. Wasn’t it just yesterday that I would walk him in his stroller to … [Read more...]
The Life Lesson That Helped Me Meet My Husband
As hard as it is for me to believe, this March my husband and I will celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary. We’ve been together for more than 26 years, and to be honest, it’s hard for me to remember a day when he wasn’t in my life. I know it sounds super corny to admit this, but meeting Joe was the best thing that ever happened to me. Being with a person who … [Read more...]
How a Barbie Doll Helped Me Deal With Our Decision to Put Our Daughter on Medication
As a mom I make quick decisions every day. Many are no more important than what to serve for dinner or how much do I want to battle my teenage son over his decision to wear shorts on a winter day. Too often the stakes are higher. I won’t soon forget my decision to give my first son a peanut butter sandwich only to watch him have a severe allergic reaction to it. Or the day … [Read more...]
The Healing Power of the Family Outing
I love my life as a mom. I really do. But every so often I experience a case of burnout that has me dreaming of getting on a plane, train, or bicycle and hightailing it to anywhere where nobody knows my name. No mention of toilets flooding, cries that we are out of milk, or complaints about what I made for supper. Just peace and quiet. For a few weeks, there’s hardly … [Read more...]
