Social/Cultural
One of my loves is to coordinate international exchange students. I match students from other countries with loving host families and I make sure they have a space in one of the local high schools. But every once in a while I have to deal with a “situation” that results from some combination of clashing […]
I’m not quite sure why, but I’ve been thinking a lot recently about how fragile life is. Even more specifically, how fragile are the lives of flesh and blood (or fur and blood) beings. So much of the world’s actions or illness could wipe us out overnight. So imagine my contemplations confirmed when I read […]
My title reminds me of Dr. Seuss’s One Fish Two Fish. Despite my love for this author, alas today’s post is not going to be a fantastical poem! It does capture my musings about why a small swim club seems to be a better choice right now for my daughter. I spent this past weekend […]
No, you’re not in a movie theater. This post is simply an introduction to several connected themes I have whirring through my head. I had lunch with a friend yesterday and she talked about how she’s organized her five- and seven-year-old to make their school lunches, help prepare dinner, and set the table. The two […]
Holiday blogging schedule: Just a reminder that I will not be back on my regular posting schedule until the week of January 12. This coming Wednesday, January 7, I will post a meaningful question for stepparents, so stay tuned. I wondered this morning how many bloggers might be commenting on New Year’s resolutions this week. […]
As Christmas Day draws to a sleepy close, I thought I’d share something I did for my kids today. Since I’m a writer, I decided to give them each a gift of words that describe something I admire about each one. I rolled up each sheet of sentiments (four in all), rubber- banded it tight, […]
NOTE: HOLIDAY SCHEDULE I will post twice per week from now until January 11. Happy Holidays! What do you say when your daughter asks you the proverbial question: Do you believe in Santa Claus? Experience tells us there are many advantages to letting your child come to her own conclusion. Some kids get extremely upset […]
Last week (Thanksgiving) we talked about showing gratitude all year long. One of the ways I do this is to randomly drop someone a thank- you note or card even when there wasn’t a gift given. Then there are the occasions when gifts have been given. You know that feeling – you or your daughter […]
You’re inspired to take your daughter to a movie or show that’s a little more adult than Little Mermaid, or someone else invites her to such an event. Can you decide ahead of time if it’s appropriate? If not, what happens if you get into the event and parts of it are not OK for […]
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