Tag: parenting teenagers

Family Traditions: Breakfast of Champions

Have you ever surprised yourself with a family tradition you didn’t recognize as such until you discovered yourself in the middle of it for the bazillionth time? Last weekend we got away for a few days in Tahoe. We like to stay in places that have a kitchen so we can prepare at least a … Continue reading Family Traditions: Breakfast of Champions

Up Late with My Babies

Up late has never been my problem. Up early is always a problem. A night owl by nature, I could easily do midnight feedings since I was still awake at midnight. Middle of the night wake-ups were hard, but the 6 am feedings were brutal; I sleep best in the early morning hours. Obviously we’re … Continue reading Up Late with My Babies

Talking with Teens

My sons have temperaments on opposite ends of the spectrum. One wears his heart on his sleeve. He'll tell me anything (sometimes more than I want to know). The other holds his cards close, and I have to pay special attention for the times when he might feel more talkative. Still, over their lifetimes we've … Continue reading Talking with Teens

Found It!

Most visitors to Año Nuevo State Park this time of year are looking for elephant seals. Our family went in search of a snake. The San Francisco Garter Snake, to be exact, an endangered species that makes its home in that area. C20 has been desperate to find one. We decided to make this President's … Continue reading Found It!

Surprise!

Parenting can be So Fun! For example, today, when I told Q14 I would pick him up mid-school day but didn't explain why. And he didn't remember or figure out that TODAY is the day he gets his braces off! And I got to surprise him with one of the best surprises an adolescent can … Continue reading Surprise!

Adventures in Parenting: Snake on the Loose

Spoiler alert for the squeamish: all snakes are back in secure cages. Yes, you read that right. All snakes, because we (intentionally) have several. Five, to be exact. C20 thought he wanted to be a herpetologist (reptile expert), but turns out, that college major involves way more math than he wants to do. Meanwhile, it’s … Continue reading Adventures in Parenting: Snake on the Loose

Happy Thanksgiving 2018

What are you facing this week? Traveling or family coming in? Stay-cation with lots of local activities? Business/work as usual? Cooking, eating at another's table, dining out? Little about this week has been our family's version of usual. Q14 got an unexpected day off school, closed due to unhealthy air quality from the Camp Fire … Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving 2018

Be Prepared

PSA: Check your fire extinguisher. Over the last few weeks the Bay Area has had several warm and windy days. Guy hates wind, and each time he remarks: "It smells like fire weather." Good point, since last October the Tubbs Fire, the most destructive fire in California history, burned Santa Rosa to the ground. This … Continue reading Be Prepared

Follow Their Lead

Parents know we're supposed to raise up our children to follow appropriate guidelines: hold hands in the crosswalk and parking lot, listen to your teacher, be kind, be a good sport, etc. Our kids--most of them most of the time--follow our words and, more importantly, our example. But parents also have the privilege of being … Continue reading Follow Their Lead

Mom-ories

Facebook keeps tossing up pictures from when Q14 was little and, now that he's in high school, they prompt all the Big Feels. I can't even imagine what a mess I'll be three years from now when he's a high school senior - sheesh! Last Monday was a no-school day. In our family, no-school days … Continue reading Mom-ories