A Lesson in Gender Fluidity or Tolerance?
When I began my teaching career, I had the benefit of working alongside one of the most brilliant, forward-thinking minds to ever grace a classroom. My mentor and pal, Beth, lives to challenge her...
View ArticleTo the woman who refused to pierce my daughter’s ears
Over a month of pleading and well-timed compliments of my “sparkly ear jewelry,” and our four-year-old daughter Ella had sent a clear message: she wanted her ears pierced. I mused about it on Facebook,...
View ArticleItchy Itchy, Scratchy Scratchy
Natalie and I were inseparable. As 9-year-olds do, we shared secrets, sleepovers, and sesame seed sized insects in our hair. You know, LICE. I was there on that hot July afternoon when Natalie’s mom...
View ArticleThe Worst Mother I’ve Ever Seen
I hear her before I see her. She is huffing and puffing because of her toddler’s incessant cries. Someone obviously didn’t give this lady the memo that crying is what little kids do. The child, holding...
View ArticleMaternalosis Degenerative Progression Syndrome: Reversing the Effects of Mom...
We’re all familiar with the unfortunate nature by which dogs age, adding seven years at a time rather than the normal one people-year. Except, I don’t know many people beyond the age of five who are...
View ArticleWe All Survived
On Friday night, I babysat four kids under the age of four in order to give my best friend a much-deserved night out. Since two of the kiddos were mine, I was feeling confident I could manage. No, I...
View ArticleThe New Face of Romance
My face gently cupped by his strong hands, our eyes met, and I felt it: I would marry this man. We were inseparable for years, and when everyone said college would become the wedge to eventually part...
View ArticleDo You Know What Dexing Is?
She had a lot of friends, guys thought she was pretty. She earned good grades which kept her parents off her back, and like most other 16-year-old’s, was looking forward to the day Dad handed over the...
View ArticleI Hate Halloween, But…
I’ve never been excited about putting on a mask and trying to scare someone. Or, more specifically, someone putting on a mask and trying to scare ME. The mere mention of clowns is enough to send me...
View ArticleI Ain’t Afraid of No Ghost! But Common Core Math Is Another Story…
My brother can’t hold his sugar. His beer is one thing, but sweets? Not so much. I’ll never forget the Halloween that ended in his night terror that woke the whole house. He was shrieking at the top of...
View ArticleFive Years Ago
Thirty-three years ago, I was the first grandchild, the favorite. You actually called me Number One which made me wonder if you were just trying to remember the birth order of your grandkids or if I...
View ArticleIf You’re Gonna Spew, Spew Into This…
There are few things worse than vomit remnants stuck precariously in carseat crevices. I once used dozens of Q-tips to thoroughly clean the various nooks and crannies of my son’s 5-point harness seat...
View ArticleI’m Grateful, But I’m Not Sorry
I used to be one. A chronic apologizer. I hadn’t noticed how often I uttered the words I’m sorry until a friend called me on it: “Why do you always say you’re sorry?! Haven’t the women who came before...
View ArticleKeep Your Car Clean…Even With the Kids Inside!
I don’t know about you, but my husband and I sincerely underestimated our kids’ potential for creating messes. No one told us sweet peas double as face paint, or that a small mound of dirt, when mixed...
View ArticleIt’s Your Birthday, Husband!
Dear husband, I wrote this for your 36th birthday, was too lazy to write something new, but wanted the world to re-read the 36 reasons you’re a rock star. I love us. In no particular order, I give you:...
View ArticleNuggets of Parenting Wisdom That Make Me Look Like I Know What I’m Doing
Brevity is not my strong suit. As I mentally search for the ONE WORD that means everything I’ve been trying to say for the past ten minutes, I end up blabbering my way to the point. It’s usually then...
View ArticleDon’t Monday Morning Quarterback Me
There are days that feel like the big game is resting squarely on my sore shoulders. I’m the quarterback, the clock is running out, and gigantic dudes who get paid to lay me out are snarling threats...
View ArticleHere We Go Again!
I earned my superhero cape when I became a mom. So did you. Anything that requires so little sleep and so much wiping of another’s stinky butt with a smile automatically drapes a gal in silky Super...
View ArticleCountdown to Christmas: 25 Fun Ways to Ring in the Season
Christmas seems to fly by faster and faster, and this year, I’m putting my foot down. I called the Farmer’s Almanac and insisted they add days to the month of December, and they were all, “Lady, that’s...
View ArticleA Cookie
If you’ve been reading me for the last year or so, you know my almost 20-month-old daughter has had her fair share of issues. A short stint at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh where she staved off...
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