Category: Parenting

Unicorns & Rainbows

I met today's guest author about a year ago, at the gym through a mutual friend. We met again--and I hope she'd agree we struck up a friendship--the day this generous act of kindness took place. And I appreciate her post today because my adolescent boys absolutely preferred Dora to Diego when they were small and both had something … Continue reading Unicorns & Rainbows

Thankful Thursday – Middle School Music

When my kids were in elementary school, I’m not sure I could have predicted how much I would enjoy middle school band concerts. Teen skipped school music altogether, but Tween got bit by the band bug, particularly the trumpet. He loves it, he seems to have aptitude for it, and he’s got two pretty incredible … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Middle School Music

Pride & Joy

Parents often speak of their children as their Pride and Joy. My mom has often said that she can’t be proud of her children. Not that she doesn’t have reason to feel pride, but that she won’t take credit for our accomplishments. I hope it's not disrespectful, on Mother's Day of all days, to say: … Continue reading Pride & Joy

Bigger Than a Bumper Sticker

Last weekend I was One Proud Mama, overflowing with joy, as Teen had what may well have been the best weekend of his seventeen years. It began with a rugby end-of-season barbecue where he won a coaches award for Most Improved player in his position. The coach spoke of Teen’s hard work, determination, and playing … Continue reading Bigger Than a Bumper Sticker

Don’t Give Up

Persistent defines Teen well, one of his stronger personality traits. We have snakes in our house because of Teen’s persistence. I said yes to geckos but NO to snakes. For years, Teen argued, researched, debated, cajoled, prayed – and believe me, we had long conversations about how God answers prayer: yes, no, or not now. … Continue reading Don’t Give Up

Happy Leap Day!

For most of us, today probably feels like an ordinary Monday. I'm doing my normal Monday routine - working from home, an extra load of laundry spinning as I type. But this Monday is a once-every-four-years event and for some reason this year I feel a particular urge to celebrate. Probably because Leap Day only arrives … Continue reading Happy Leap Day!

Project Parenting

This morning I had a long-overdue cuppa tea with a friend. Of course we talked about our kids. My Teen is a few years ahead of hers, and so conversations in our home run a different course than she has to deal with quite yet – driving, drinking, dating, college, life goals and plans… My … Continue reading Project Parenting

What’s Your Dance Party?

I've been thinking about "YES!" This word, "create," requires saying Yes to life, to invitations, to play, and, sometimes worse, to those things that intimidate or downright scare me. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for saying "NO!" as necessary. I believe in it. Oh baby, YES, we have to say NO! from time to … Continue reading What’s Your Dance Party?

Meatless Monday – “Beyond Meat” White Bean Chicken Chili

It began with a video I saw on Facebook. Some weeks later Guy mentioned he'd also seen it. Interesting concept: this guy who wants to eat meat, while also reducing his environmental footprint, produces a plant-based fake meat that is more convincing than these types of products have been before. And then Tween mentioned yet again how he'd like to … Continue reading Meatless Monday – “Beyond Meat” White Bean Chicken Chili

Dead Weight

The smallest bump and it shattered to heaps of blue safety-glass shards. Because of our bathroom’s tight space, we wedged the scale between the shower and toilet. No room to stand on it there, we pulled it out each time we required its services. For years, it tattle-taled the ups and downs of our binges … Continue reading Dead Weight