Happy New Year! As we say goodbye to 2017, I want to thank you for all your support this year and for having some fun with the Dishwasher and me as we counted down the top three posts from this year. We have now reached our most popular piece of the year. “25 Ways to Annoy Your Teenager” was published on February 26 and was so much fun to write because as the mom of two … [Read more...]
25 Ways to Annoy Your Teenager
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...]
A Survival Kit for the Special Needs Parent
As the new school year starts and I watch my three kids get ready to enter grades 12, 8 and 6, I can’t help but think of all of the moms and dads with children entering kindergarten. The kids all are amazing, but some don’t fit the typical mold. Perhaps your child has dyslexia, like our first son has, or they struggle with ADHD, like our youngest son does. You know in your … [Read more...]
Dear Children, it’s Negotiation Time
Lately I have started to sound like a drill sergeant in the morning. I bark out commands: “Brush your teeth.” “Pack your lunch.” “For the love of God, haven’t you put your clothes on yet?” “Don’t forget to put deodorant on. You don’t want to be smelly.” I use a loud voice meant to carry over the sounds of music, kids and the TV news. That I use this voice in between trying … [Read more...]
Mom and the Midnight Hour
After a full day of teenage angst, sibling squabbles, and endless questions from a curious 11-year-old, peace has finally descended on my home. It’s glorious. All I can hear is the hum of the air conditioner and the occasional creaks of a house that is well used and well loved This is the time that dreams are made of. Or more accurately, this is the time I should … [Read more...]
