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It's simple math. A teenager and a parent + the Never Ending Pasta Bowl + a deep conversation about choices =an amazing breakthrough. At least, that's how it worked out for my son and me. It's [...]

Christmas is coming. Maybe that excites you...or maybe not. For every person who shouts, "EGG NOG! DECORATIVE SWEATERS! TINSEL! CHRISTMAS CAROLS!" there's someone who mumbles, "egg nog... [...]

Trapper Keeper? Check. New school clothes? Check. Alarm set? Check. Class is in session. It doesn't matter if your kids are 6 or 16, going back to school is a big deal for them. It's a big deal [...]

Traditions are great...but sometimes they can create unforeseen expectations among siblings. For example, I've made it a habit to build certain "milestone" celebrations into my parenting with my [...]

All the hot dogs, burgers and shakes you can consume. That sounds like the ultimate job perk to the average teenager, doesn't it? My son certainly thought so. He doesn't anymore. But before we [...]

  I recently found out that my daughter's dentist has a child of her own who's had multiple cavities. I actually did a little dance in my head when I heard that. (I really had some sweet [...]

My 5-year-old daughter paced past me and proclaimed, "I need a drink." I nodded and replied under my breath (so only I could appreciate the punchline), "Been one of those days, hmm?" My wife and [...]

You're familiar with the following stereotype, right? Parent: "Anything happen at school today?" Teenager: (Grunts something incoherent while texting friends on an overpriced smartphone) Parent: [...]

Growing up in Chicago with a large extended Italian family meant four things during the holidays: We never went to the Olive Garden - those commercials lie. We'd gather together and eat lots of [...]

Firewalls. Smartphones. Snapchat. Seriously--our parents NEVER had to deal with this stuff. As if parenting wasn't hard enough, now we have to monitor sophisticated technology that frankly our [...]