Ohhhh boy. The kids are home. What do we do now? First, try not to freak out. Remember that social distancing, staying home is going to save lives. We can do this. Now. What to do with the kids? Okay. So. The kids will be hanging around the house for a while. Whether they’re being watched […]
Emergency Contacts to HELP Our Kids
We don’t want to think about it, but we need to. If your tweens and teens have phones, I encourage you to add some Emergency Contacts. Not just the neighbors whose houses they can pop over if they lock themselves out, or Grandma to come pick them up from practice in a pinch. I mean […]
Listen and Learn and Do the Work
Instead of posting a tidy quote this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I’m asking fellow white folks to join me in taking the time to listen, learn, watch, and read what his words were all about–even if it makes us uncomfortable, especially if it makes us uncomfortable–then use that information to be the kind of […]
It Is Not Our Job To Do Everything
I’m okay and you’re okay. We’re all doing okay and that’s what matters.
The Best Books I Read in 2019
This year I read over 120 books from middle grade on up to adult fiction (not including re-reads of old favorites), and have chosen about 60 to shine a spotlight on in this end-of-the-year wrap-up. Like I did in last year’s best book post, I grouped them by age range, but this time I’m also […]
A Little Pride Month Reading
(Or: How to Be a Better Ally) May this Pride Month be the one during which we all open our minds and hearts and arms a little wider to embrace the LGBTQIA+ community for who they are, and help everyone fully be who they are with our support our listening our actions our votes our […]
How I Made Mom Friends When I Was a Desperate Weirdo with Clingy Little Kids
A strange thing happens once you become a mom, constantly surrounded by small human beings who never, ever leave your side: you feel more alone than ever. The desire for that proverbial village that’s supposed to help you raise your kids doesn’t always match the availability of one. I found myself reeling from this sudden […]
To the People Who Broke Through My Walls When I Was a Kid
Like many kids, I had the kinds of things whispered to me that no one should have to hear as I grew up. These were the unfortunate recordings of my life that played on repeat in my head, and they weren’t healthy soundtrack material: “You aren’t wanted.” “I hope you grow up ugly.” “No one […]
The Gift of Sometimes Just Not Giving a Crap
“Don’t glue your brother! I MEAN it!” Most days you give a crap. You really do. You make sure no one does anything that could directly lead to bleeding from the ears or grand larceny. You don’t Helicopter Parent—who has the energy for that, anyway?—but you spew a nonstop stream of dialogue at the kids […]
The Cheerleader
There’s always at least one of us at every kids’ sports game or match. Yes, we are loud and enthusiastic. Yes, our voices carry. Yes, our hands clap particularly loudly. Yes, the whole gym/court/field can hear us rooting for our kid’s team, our kids, their teammates. We are aware of all of this. Your discomfort […]