If you want to jump right into the belly of the parenting beast in 2015, just mention the words screen time. A term that only emerged in the last few years to encompass all of the electronics in our lives and how much we use them. It's a hot topic because we don't want our kids to be the Generals in the Drone Army, but we also find ourselves needing the respite that a screen can provide. Enter today's parents most challenging decision: to screen or not to screen. Times when screens seems … [Read more...] about Letting Go of Screen Time Shame #10yearsaparent
My Blog
Writing a Book in 34 Easy Steps
As you've probably figured out, I wrote a book and it's coming out soon. Within weeks, I will have in my hands 256 pages of my own ideas put into words printed on paper that people will hopefully find insightful and helpful enough to pay money for. In honor of this impending event, I thought I would share what it's really like writing a book. Because let's be honest, when people ask what you've been up to and you say, "Writing a book," it doesn't really matter if it's a good book or a shitty … [Read more...] about Writing a Book in 34 Easy Steps
The War of Sorry #10yearsaparent
There is a battle constantly brewing in our house. There are two sides to every story and this conflict is no different, but it seems that we are in ongoing disagreement about the terms and conditions of saying "I'm sorry." Ten years into this occupation and and we're not any closer to peace than when these children entered our lives. Will we ever be? Or is this war destined to last for the next 8 years? One side believes you should always say you're sorry, immediately as soon as you … [Read more...] about The War of Sorry #10yearsaparent
Valentine’s Day Eligibility Quiz
It's no secret that I'm a party pooper when it comes to holidays. I'm not a fan of birthday parties or goody bags. I just think it's too much. We've gone too far. It's probably no surprise that Valentine's Day is on my holiday shit list. Because I am a leader in the movement to scale back the mindless celebration of holidays by children (End the MCOHBC!), I've developed an eligibility quiz for my kids. If and only if they score above average (to be determined subjectively by the giver of … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day Eligibility Quiz
they never talk when you want them to talk #10yearsaparent
I have two children with very different personalities. One that will tell you everything in detail. And not only will he tell you, he wants to talk about it. He needs to share, work out his experiences, and his emotions (kind of like Taylor Swift trapped in a seven year old boy's body). It's how he processes. Often he can't fall asleep, because he can't clear his head, and he tells me that, "Mom, I just can't turn my brain off." I sit on the edge of his bed and listen, even though I want … [Read more...] about they never talk when you want them to talk #10yearsaparent
12 things i did in high school that i never expected to do again
When I graduated from high school, I thought I was finished with that chapter of my life. But recently, things that I did in high school that I never expected to do again have started to creep into my existance: 1. yell at boys from moving cars In high school, way back before smart phones or cell phones for that matter, my friends and I would communicate with boys by yelling out of car windows. And today, even with these technological advances, I still find myself cruising … [Read more...] about 12 things i did in high school that i never expected to do again
it’s okay to be bored #10yearsaparent
I never dumped a bucket of ice over my head. And I've never hopped on to a social media campaign that involves holding up a handwritten sign (until now, see picture). It doesn't mean that I don't think the issues at hand are important. It just hasn't been my thing. But when a fellow blogger sparked a conversation about sharing real experiences about mothering and creating a network of support for mothers that might be struggling or feeling alone, something inside me connected. And so here we … [Read more...] about it’s okay to be bored #10yearsaparent
ski lessons that apply to real life
As my old stomping grounds in Massachusetts got dumped on yesterday with almost three feet of snow, I sat here outside of Philly with my measly three inches and was a little bummed out. The schools prematurely cancelled under the threat of the eight to twelve inches that never appeared. We had a fake snow day. A day off from school without any snow. The kids made the best of it. The went sledding until the grass started to show through the hill and played outside for most of the day. I am one … [Read more...] about ski lessons that apply to real life