Parenting Pep Talks

I once spent three weeks without a phone. In that time I was...challenged. It was hard not to be able to call or text my friends and family, but after awhile I saw some good in the experience as [...]

Compliment my kid and I just don't know what to do. I've worked a long time to figure out how to accept compliments on my own behalf, but even with best friends and supportive strangers, there is [...]

I am a mom of a toddler and twins, which is sort of a terrifying math problem. You see, I only have two arms. Three kids, but only two legs to sit on. Three kids, but only two eyes to watch with. [...]

Many years ago I resolved against setting New Year’s resolutions. Though I know not everyone feels the same, for me they seem like desperate declarations made at midnight while sitting on my [...]

I love the book of Ruth. It’s been one of my favorites since I was a kid, and not because of the way it ends. I love it because of the way it begins. It's the first 22 lines, I think, that really [...]

"I don't want you to help me." It's hard for a parent to not take that personally. Sometimes our kids will spontaneously snub us in order to intentionally turn to another parent or family member. [...]

I can remember the birth of my first son, Dylan, like it was yesterday: the way he looked and smelled, how he felt in my arms, and how unprepared I felt. I’d carried this baby for 38 weeks and in [...]

This time of year always feels like a time to reset, especially where friendships are concerned. With the school year swiftly approaching, I know my son will make new friends and have old [...]

Every year I feel the pressure swell sometime around November. I used to be able to stave it off until after Thanksgiving, but each year it comes just a little earlier. I want the perfect [...]

If Pinterest were in charge of back to school, here's what it would look like: 1 /2 /3 /4 /5 /6 /7 And here's what I have to say: No Pinterest. I will not measure my success as a mom by your [...]