Families
When I was six or seven, I had two pet names for my father – Naa and Ego. Although I don’t remember their origin, I suppose I was following suit from seeing the diminutives my parents used for each other on Christmas gift tags and Valentine’s Day cards. (P.B. and E.S., which stood for something […]
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 […]
Last Saturday our oldest daughter, my stepdaughter, was the first of our kids to get married! Click here to read part 1 of my post. I promised more details about the ways the wedding ceremony balanced honor and acceptance. First of all, Brianna’s aunt (who is Brianna’s mom’s sister and was her best friend) attended […]
Continue reading about Wedding Ceremony Balances Honor and Acceptance, part 2
I was waiting for the actual “big day” to tell you about it! Our oldest child and daughter (my stepdaughter) got married this past Saturday! What a special day, and YES, we love her husband. This is an event that I always knew would raise questions of balance between past and present in our family, […]
Continue reading about Wedding Ceremony Balances Honor and Acceptance, part 1
Last week I made a case about how I think face time with my kids trumps Facebook. Recently, we’d had the pleasure of having each of my older kids (my stepchildren) move back in with us, one at a time. Last week I told the story of my stepdaughter, her fiancé, and their dogs squeezing […]
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 […]
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
I’m talking about a real, get-in-the-car, bike, or hike kind of day trip, by the way. As you may already know, I write nine things so you can fill in the tenth. Get you and your family out of the house. I love my home and have been working on making it a comfortable place with […]
Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret. -Ambrose Bierce There are three cardinal rules I have to follow when I feel angry at a member of my stepfamily. I’m writing about this because I have blown it before. No real good comes out of a screaming […]
Like many people, I’m facing some financial challenges these days. The mortgage assistance application calls it “income curtailment.” And, no, the company hasn’t come through yet with any assistance. I work for myself, yet only part time. I actually made that choice about thee years after becoming a stepparent. I admire women who have a full-time […]