A Wake-Up Call From a 10-Year-Old Stranger
As many parents of teenagers understand, our time to connect with them is rare and valuable. Add in the competition of the illustrious cell phone, and eye contact with these teens is almost nonexistent. So, as my daughter and I walked into her orthodontist appointment, I made a conscious effort to focus only on her […]
During Tragic Times, Here’s Somewhere Unexpected We Can Start
My friend Lizzy stopped by yesterday to drop off a skirt and top she found for me. Those are the best kinds of friends — you tell them you need ideas of what to wear for an upcoming poetry reading, and two hours later they’re at your door with options. We went upstairs to try […]
When Your Son’s College Room Is Not Pinterest Ready
I hugged my son goodbye and was careful not to step on any of his clothes on the floor. As I walked out of the room behind him, I quickly grabbed the shampoo and conditioner on the floor and tossed them into his shower caddy. Then, I saw some Neosporin in the corner and put […]
Plastic Straws: Why the Issue Matters
Many years ago, while at a friend’s house watching the Bears game on a cold January day, I got into a discussion with some guests about the harmful effects of wood-burning fireplaces. I personally had just learned that the particles in wood smoke can be damaging to people as well as to the environment. So, […]
Parents and Teenagers: Tuning Out and Tuning In
If you’re a parent of a teenager, then you’ve likely seen eyes roll, a face buried in an iPhone and have maybe even been told to get out of your child’s room … quickly. It is not always easy to connect during these colorful years. As a matter of fact, sometimes, in can be hard […]
Our Quest for Knowledge and Its Impact On Kids

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” ― Mahatma Gandhi I love to learn. If college were more affordable (subject for another blog post) and if time were more abundant, I would love to keep getting degrees and continue learning more about everything from philosophy to […]
How Rejection Can Lead to Success

“I love rejection,” said nobody. It stings; it hurts; it makes us question ourselves, our worth, our meaning. Sure, we can embrace it and learn from it and work harder because of it. But, there’s no way around it: Rejection is painful. Whether we are talking about love or work or friendship, rejection is something […]
How to Talk to Kids About Mass Shootings and Other Tragedies

This article is not the one that people are excited to open. It’s not a list of 10 fun activities to do with kids or of the top five bakeries in town. But, unfortunately, it is something that we all must read and discuss right now. We must talk about what is going on in […]
Off to College: A Mother Watches Her Child Fly

“Parents rarely let go of their children, so children let go of them. They move on. They move away. The moments that used to define them are covered by moments of their own accomplishments. It is not until much later, that children understand; their stories and all their accomplishments sit atop the stories of their […]
Holding On and Letting Go

This summer has been flying by, as the anticipated season always seems to do. I’ve been working most days and writing most nights, and I’ve made very little time for yoga.