The Dad Advantage

Jun 14, 2018 | Parenting

This weekend is Father’s Day. Since my father lives many states away, I won’t be spending this day with him. Yet his influence in my life has little to do with a daylong celebration once a year. When I think about the influences in my life and the people who gave me...

Dear Teachers

May 24, 2018 | Parenting | 1 comment

This week marks the last week of public school for my children. My baby is graduating from high school and although he will have teachers in college and beyond, public grade school and high school teachers are a breed all their own. I am filled with emotion this week...

Mother’s Day Realities

May 10, 2018 | Parenting

This weekend is Mother’s Day. I vividly remember my first Mother’s Day as a mom. My husband and I got dressed up and met my in-laws for a fancy dinner at a country club. It was a total disaster. My baby screamed bloody murder throughout the whole dinner, so I spent...

Has grit become the new must-have for our children?

Apr 19, 2018 | Parenting

Have you read the book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth? It is an excellent, well researched and well presented take on the lifelong benefits of possessing grit to accomplish one’s goals and living a happy and fulfilled life. Duckworth...

A Grade School Teacher’s Brilliant Relationship Advice

Mar 29, 2018 | Relationships

Recently, I was talking to my favorite 5th grade teacher (named Mrs. Teacher for privacy purposes), who just happens to be the mother of my future daughter-in-law. We were talking about difficult children and how they can often be unlovable and not so enjoyable to be...

My Worth in the Eyes of Others

Mar 15, 2018 | Relationships

After being married for twenty-eight years this month, I had a rather delayed epiphany about myself, my husband, and relationships in general. My husband had recently commented on the fact that I don’t seem to get mad at him as easily as I used to. (Let’s not even dig...