Health & Safety
It’s a Miracle Any Of Them Live To Adulthood
We’ve all missed an illness or worse-than-we-realized injury in our little kids, but does it stop happening when they get older? Not exactly. At least we’re not alone.
Big Kid
Fuel For Feeding Bottomless Teens
If, “Mom, I’m hungry!” is a common battle-cry in your house, check out these tips for creating nutrient-dense snack options to soothe the savage teen.
Big Kid
Finding Awesome
I’m learning that it was never my son’s special needs that made his life more challenging, but his lack of self-esteem. What a difference some self-love makes!
Big Kid
Help! How Do I Make My Teen Dress For The Weather?
It’s a dilemma as old as time: Teenagers choosing to dress to trends rather than weather. Do I have the solution? Sort of.
Big Kid
When My Kids Grow Up, I Want Them To Be Flexible
Today’s kids are being pushed to pick out their career paths way too young, I think, and I’d rather we teach them to keep an open mind and adventuresome spirit.
Big Kid
A Tale Of Two Posters
With my teens sharing a class for the first time, the inevitable comparisons are making me wonder how I can coax the best out of each of them.
Big Kid
When Your Teen’s Friend Has Mental Health Issues
No one wants their kid to be unkind to others, but when it comes to issues of mental illness, are you teaching your kid kindness or fear?
Food & Home
Perfect Beets For People Who Don’t Like Beets
I’ve also been able to win over some of those “oh, I don’t like beets” folks with this side/ salad recipe.
Big Kid
Lesson Learned: All Apologies
One of my teens learned a hard lesson about not always getting the apology you deserve, and I realized I have a long way to go in this area, too.
Big Kid
Why Are So Many More Teens “Gender Fluid” Now?
A reader asks what the deal is with “gender fluidity” among teens; why is it on the rise, and how should we respond to it?
Big Kid
Letting Go Of Normal
Is normal a real thing? Should I be wishing my special-needs kids were normal? I’m not even sure it’s real, and if it is, well, it’s not for us.
Parenting
Suicide Isn’t Just Other People’s Problem
Suicide isn’t something that only touches rich celebrities or people we don’t care about. Suicide touches the lives of regular people. Suicide touches the lives of people who are left trying to wrap their brains around why they couldn’t save their loved ones.
Big Kid
Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby
Teenagers and burgeoning sexuality. The conversations are becoming more difficult, but we’ll keep having them, because communication and knowledge are key.
Parenting
On Motherhood, Love, Happiness and Reality
Given the recent attention to mothers confessing secretly about hating motherhood, I thought it was time to ‘fess up to my own secret of parenting.
Big Kid
The Dance Of Disclosure
To disclose or not to disclose: that’s the question when you’re dealing with special needs and increasing independence. My teens are figuring it out.
Big Kid
Figuring Out Mental Health Care For Teens In Crisis
How does a parent navigate the health system to get a mentally ill teen the help they need? It’s hard, but not impossible. Get the support you need and keep going.
Big Kid
Your School Meeting Baking Guide
I know very little about wine pairings, but I do know what you should bake for your next meeting at school.
Big Kid
A Guide To Thrifting With Your Teen
Think clothes shopping with your teen has to be excruciating? Thrifting together is a great way to save money and have fun while you do it.
Big Kid
Why I Volunteer Even More At The High School
At a time when many parents are backing off, we’re stepping up; volunteering at the high school level doesn’t make you a helicopter parent!
Parenting
So, About Kids And Religion…
A recent study says religious kids aren’t as nice as non-religious ones. As a somewhat religiously-confused parent, I’m not sure what to think.