Big Kid
Independence For Lunch, One Way Or Another
Challenging my teenager to manage her own school lunches is giving me palpitations, but it’s time and—one way or another—she can handle it.
Big Kid
All He Wants For Christmas Is A Princess Toy
A family member wants to gift her nephew the princess toys that he wants for Christmas and with which his immediate family doesn’t allow him to play. What can she do in this sticky situation?
Pregnancy
My Mother, The Emotional Vampire
An expecting mom needs help deciding whether she should tell her own needy mother that she’s pregnant. It’s a complicated and emotionally fraught relationship that she has with her mom.
Big Kid
Teens, Sex and Porn
What I hadn’t realized then was that was the easy part, discussing the cut and dry mechanics of sex. I hadn’t realized that it was just the beginning of an ongoing conversation where I would have to push past my own embarrassment and get over my own hang ups.
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?
Relationships
When Daddy Leaves
A heartbroken new mom needs advice on navigating her co-parenting relationship with her former partner.
Parenting
When Your Child Bullies You
A mother’s frustration at being the target of her 9 year old’s anger. Some advice on how to best handle this explosive, sensitive situation.
Young Child
Be The Helpers
I believe that most of our children’s character is not something that is taught but that they learn how to react and interact in the world by watching us.
Relationships
How to Handle Kid-Hogging Grandparents
When do super-involved and loving grandparents cross the line to monopolizing and need boundaries? Yes, that can happen.
Big Kid
Hello Teenagers, Goodbye Romance
Having teenagers in the house is a solemn death knell of romance for the parents. And they’re not even sorry about it, either.
Relationships
I’m Being Guilted Back Into The Toxic Family Sludge
A new mother needs wants to know how to stick to her decision to keep away from her toxic family. We have some advice on where to start.
Big Kid
Confessions of a Recovering Naggy McNaggerson
A lifetime of nagging my children in the name of “helping” is coming to a close, because we all need me to back off. It’s hard, but I’m working on it.
Relationships
On Motherhood and Marriage Regret
Kristen Chase talks about motherhood and marriage regret, and how giving ourselves permission to step outside the box might be the key to personal happiness.
Your Life
My Two Dads
How many times would you let someone snub, ignore and hurt you before you just plan gave up? What if that someone…was your parent?
Food & Home
The Tao Of Strawberries (and our favorite recipes)
It’s strawberry-picking season, and that means bonus time with my teens and all my favorite, yummy recipes. Viva la strawberries!
Young Child
Top Parenting Mistakes Made With the Best Intentions
We look at other parents say, I will never be like that! We are full of self righteous indignation and feel confident in our superior parenting skills! Then it happens. One day you recognize yourself in some other parent and it isn’t a good thing.
Parenting
Parenting Resolutions: What are Yours?
I’m making some resolutions this year. And what better place to start than with some of my less-than-exemplary parenting habits?
Big Kid
College is Looming, But Will We Kill Each Other First?
Oh, those halcyon final days of high school when… your college-bound teen knows everything and you’re just stupid. Yeah. Um. Take a deep breath.
Big Kid
Mothering Meltdowns, Revisited
Are you willing to risk relationships with the words you chose to write online? What if those relationships are with your children?
Big Kid
Mother/Daughter Communication By Any Other Name
Talking with my teen daughter can be fraught, so I’m taking the back door on communication whenever I can. Every little bit is a win.