Parenting

Mama J on November 2nd, 2011

Most of my blogs this season have been quite cheery. It didn’t seem fair to myself or to you to continue in this vein without expressing at least a little sadness as well.  Overall, our stepfamily has come a long way. To be honest, I only use the “step” words in this blog or other […]

Continue reading about The Grey Side

Mama J on June 29th, 2011

In my post of June 8, “To Cell Phone or Not to Cell Phone,” I struggled over my decision about whether and when to activate a cell phone for my 11-year-old daughter. I’ve completed my research and made a decision: yes. The bottom line for my decision: my comfort. My daughter has started babysitting and […]

Continue reading about Decision: To Cell Phone!

Mama J on April 14th, 2011

For those of you who have teens, you are well aware that prom season is upon us. I wanted to introduce you to a website that I appreciate, one that right now has several great blog entries about moms and prom, prom drama (a.k.a. prama), and how to talk to your teens about what could […]

Continue reading about Prama Mamas

Mama J on April 1st, 2011

Life threw me some curves this last year. Yet, I am returning to contribute to my parenting blog because the topic area of family dynamics, in particular raising girls and being a stepparent, is truly one of my passions. You’ll see the new parenting and stepparenting posts weekly most Wednesdays (except when I post Wednesday […]

Continue reading about Life Doesn’t Happen in a Straight Line

Mama J on October 28th, 2009

Reality has set in — I have not been able to increase my billable hours and keep up the same blog schedule I started one year ago. Since I am a writer, I am almost constantly on the computer and even one extra hour of putting my eyes to the screen is just overstrain. Most […]

Continue reading about What I Hope is a Temporary Change

Mama J on May 27th, 2009

Sometimes I have a wake-up moment that reminds me of the instinct a mom has for her young.  At the same time, I can’t help but compare this instinct to the ways I’ve parented my stepchildren. Neither approach is right or wrong – it’s just different. After I dropped my daughter off at last Saturday’s […]

Continue reading about Instinctual Realizations

Mama J on April 4th, 2009

I’m excited to announce that you will now find it easier to make comments on Mama J’s Parenting Posts. No pre-comment sign-in is required; you simply have to type your name, e-mail, and comment into the space below the post. Voila! Please read one of the recent posts and give it a try.

Continue reading about Making Comments is a Snap!

Mama J on March 2nd, 2009

For both new and existing subscribers, I thought you’d want to know more about this blog as it evolves.   I am a writer, parent, and stepparent who constantly ponders family issues and dynamics.  Raising kids is one of life’s greatest joys and challenges.  If you are among those who wish you could consult the parenting […]

Continue reading about More about This Blog

Mama J on February 5th, 2009

I have this feature on the latest version of my blog software called QuickPress, and I feel compelled to try it out. You are the guinea pigs for this “Quick Blog” success story on addressing bullying. One crossroads I think parents face when they learn of bullying behavior against their child is whether or not […]

Continue reading about Bullying, Part 2

Mama J on January 26th, 2009

One way to be involved with your kids is to become involved with an activity they are passionate about.  This doesn’t mean that you actually do the activity with them (although you could).  What I’m talking about in this post is volunteering with an organization your child is a part of.  This comment connects directly […]

Continue reading about Being Involved is a Blessing