We have a lot of blessings in our life. One that makes it to the top of the list is the fact that our kids are old enough to be dropped off at birthday parties. Now that we are back to school, the birthday party invitations will start rolling in. I am not a huge fan of children's birthday parties, (thank you Evite for assisting in my undercover invitation declining). But even if you don't agree with my extreme desire to ban all birthday celebrations that include anything besides your … [Read more...] about we can end this together
family life
it’s over
It's over. Absolutely, positively over. The good news: we rocked this summer. I was nervous. And then I changed my attitude. And it's been great. It's actually been mostly pleasant and surprisingly fun. The bad news: we peaked too early. To all of you who have already started school, as I begrudgingly like your pictures on Facebook, I'm not-so-secretly envious of you. It's the last week of summer for us, and I'm done. Checked out. The positive attitude, the creative ideas, … [Read more...] about it’s over
everyone will get what they need
It's getting old. Really old. Have you ever noticed how our culture tends to typecast modern parents into roles that don't reflect real life? Moms are portrayed as pulling their hair out trying to keep everything together while dads wander around with an aw-shucks look on their face like they don't know the first thing about their own children or how to function. It's so weird to me because this doesn't reflect the world of families that I see around me. Most of the families that I … [Read more...] about everyone will get what they need
confession: i hoard travel magazines
My passport is expired. I haven't left the country in 12 years. Yet, I have subscriptions to five different travel magazines. A few years ago I had some extra airline miles so I cashed them in for magazines. Travel magazines. (This is how I get the majority of magazines that arrive at my door. If you love magazines, you should totally look into it.) At the time I had this unspoken idea that I could transform my career and become a travel writer focusing on family travel. In the name of … [Read more...] about confession: i hoard travel magazines
things that no one ever says to me
Things that no one ever says to me: You're so tan! Did you just get back from the beach? Don't worry about the bathroom, I'd love to clean it. You look so well rested. Can I not play on the iPad? I have so many clean clothes, I don't know what to wear. I already cleared my dishes. I know exactly where my shoes are. But we already have so many pictures of you. Can we just sit around and read today? You don't look old enough to have two boys that age. What are people not saying to you … [Read more...] about things that no one ever says to me
lessons from the beach
I'm back from our annual trek to Rhode Island where we hit the beach and spent some quality time with my husband's extended family. Every family has their own special set of, let's call them traditions, that make their vacation special to them and my husband's family is no exception. To help families everywhere in preparation (or recovery) from their family vacations, I've pulled together a couple of things that I learned on our own beach week. Because even on vacation, there are lessons. 1. … [Read more...] about lessons from the beach
tips for parents: managing summer while staying halfway sane
I spent the first few days of summer vacation threatening to send my kids to camp. There was so much attitude. Is this all there is to eat? Why do we have to go to the pool? I'm hot. It's hot. I'm hot. There's nothing to do. Sound familiar? What I realized quickly was that this attitude was just as much me as it was them. We had a sit down. I explained to them the approach for summer we had decided to take. I called it The Freedom Approach. No camp or scheduled activities means freedom for … [Read more...] about tips for parents: managing summer while staying halfway sane
coming home: recovering from vacation brain
As soon as school ended, I packed up the kids and went north to a family wedding on the coast of Massachusetts. We stayed a week in a beautiful home on a rocky coastline where we watched boats go in and out of the harbor, caught crabs and explored winding lanes of seaside cottages. I wanted to move into each and every one. And then there was the lovely wedding, seeing a couple joined in marriage and visiting with family. It was the best kind of vacation - easy, memorable, comfortable. I … [Read more...] about coming home: recovering from vacation brain