The One in Which My Son Attempts Origami Jujitsu and I Learn a Lesson

I spend a lot of time reminding my children to do things. Shut doors. Flush toilets. Turn socks the right way out before they go in the laundry. Brush teeth. Make good choices. Be kind. Kindness costs nothing, I say. To treat others with kindness, I say. Be kind, I say. And on an on.... Continue Reading →

Parenting In Between The Lines

Pick up any book about Mom-ing or Dad-ing and it's usually full of the deep, dark, and diabolical bits of parenting. Temper tantrums and teen angst. Potty training and puberty survival tips (mental note: post idea). All important, but there's a lot more that goes into this parenting malarkey than just the big stuff. I... Continue Reading →

January 30, 2018 15

Lessons from Scandinavia

A few nights ago I stood on a street corner near my apartment. It was a little before midnight. The air was crisp, the sky was bright, fir garlands twinkled with Christmas lights. I stood alone, nary a car in sight...and waited for the light to change from red to green. Shit, I thought. I'm... Continue Reading →

December 10, 2016 19

The Forgotten Homework Lesson

Dear R, I'm sure you were cursing me yesterday because I refused to run home and get the homework you'd forgotten. I know you were frustrated. Understandable--I would have been too if it were me. I saw how hard you worked--even after football practice and getting home late--to get it done. It must piss you off that after all that,... Continue Reading →