Recently, I was invited to attend a talk at a friend’s church about how to communicate with your teenager and identify signs of depression. I don’t have teenagers yet, but I’m already panicked about the years to come. I figured, why not start over-analyzing everything now? At the talk, I was surprised to learn much more than how to look for signs of depression in teens. I learned the ins and outs of active listening - what it is and how we can take care of each other better by being better … [Read more...] about Listen Up! Avoiding the Pitfalls of Crappy Listening
family life
Random Thoughts on Halloween, A Few Days Later
I turned off the front porch light, the official signal that Halloween is over, and crawled into bed so tired from a non-stop day, but a little buzzy from the 8:00pm Milky Way binge. I started thinking about the odd ritual that is Halloween: Costumes. I'm a little perplexed by the desire to take on another identity. I can barely manage the one that I have, much less a pretend one. I'm all for escapism (I prefer television and wine) but costumes have as much appeal to me as wool sweaters. … [Read more...] about Random Thoughts on Halloween, A Few Days Later
Hold on Summer!
I scrubbed the summer off our house. Sandy towels washed and stored away next to swimsuits that probably won't fit next year, but I'll keep anyway. Baseball uniforms taking too much space in drawers finally evacuated to higher ground. Grime off the bathrooms neglected, victims of too many ineffective, five-minute cleanings. The lingering stacks of papers from the last school year finally sorted and stored away. All to the tune of a much neglected trombone. I shed my summer … [Read more...] about Hold on Summer!
Flying Solo: Discovering Who You Are When You’re on Your Own
Recently, I spent a week alone. My husband and two sons went away for the week, and I stayed behind. Alone. For six nights and seven days, I was responsible only for myself. In fact, it might be the longest time I've spent alone in my adult life. In college I lived in a dorm. Afterwards, I always had roommates. Next, I moved in with my then fiancé and within a few years we were married. We quickly added two sons, and it's been the four of us for almost 10 years. I might snag a day … [Read more...] about Flying Solo: Discovering Who You Are When You’re on Your Own
Eat Dirt by Dr. Josh Axe: Embracing My Dirty Side
I'm not a very clean person. I don't think about germs. I don't wash my hands all that often. I'll eat off the floor (within the parameters of the five second rule–how gross do you think I am?). I've never purchased an anti-bacterial soap, wipe, or cleaner. I don't use bleach. I've never used hand sanitizer. Okay, maybe once, only out of peer pressure. I use public restrooms and port-a-potties and touch handrails in public places without thinking twice. In yoga, I put my … [Read more...] about Eat Dirt by Dr. Josh Axe: Embracing My Dirty Side
Long Lost Interview: Good Move
Funny story: last year right after Good Move was released, I was interviewed for a podcast about how as a busy mom I manage the demands of modern family life. I had a nice chat with Alexa from Lose the Cape, a blog and online community of mothers trying to debunk the myth of the super mom (something I can fully get behind) and share motherhood survival strategies (oh how I love a good strategy!). We talked about... Finding time to work as a busy mom My time management … [Read more...] about Long Lost Interview: Good Move
Questions to Ask Your Mother
In May 2009, I ripped an article out of Real Simple and mailed it to my mom: 10 Questions to Ask Your Mother. I don't remember doing this. But I must have, because on my birthday this year, she returned it to me with answers to all ten questions typed out. It is one of the most special and treasured gifts I've received. Unless you live under a rock, you probably know that it's Mother's Day weekend. You don't have to skip the brunch, the flowers, the cards, but maybe you could work at … [Read more...] about Questions to Ask Your Mother
Why The First One Was Hard
I called a dear friend this week to congratulate her on her first pregnancy. We laughed about normal pregnancy things, and she joked, "How did you do this TWO times?" It's funny how your body forgets the physical sensations of pregnancy as time goes on. It's what I like to refer to as pregnancy amnesia - you conveniently forget the crappy parts, otherwise you would never voluntarily do it again. I was a pretty calm pregnant person with straightforward pregnancies. I learned to trust … [Read more...] about Why The First One Was Hard