Don’t Spank Your Kids
Curse at them, instead. My friend Tara introduced me to a book I hadn’t been aware of before today. Go the F—k to Sleep, a parody bedtime story, is apparently what our generation considers parenting...
View ArticleBad Homeschool Mommy!
Does your child do tricks? I don’t mean like magic tricks, though that would be cool. I mean did you teach your baby to “read” before he could talk? Maybe your baby speaks three different languages...
View ArticleWould You People Please Stop Ruining My Dinner?
The strangest things happen to me when I take my kids out in public. Not only does my family get a lot of attention for merely existing in larger numbers than the usual 2.1 kids per family, we hear a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
7 Reasons Your Kids Drive You Crazy
It’s summer time! That means my Twitter stream is absolutely choked with complaints from mothers who wish their children would go back to school—or outside, or to a friend’s house. Anywhere at all...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Not a Kid Person?
On my last post at Baby Center, I wrote about stumbling-blocks to family peace during the hot, aimless days of summer. One of my seven points was this: You’re not really a kid person. There’s no shame...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Overparenting to Avoid Prosecution?
Get Along Husband (Not really in jail.) How old do you think a child should be before he stays home alone for several hours straight? Waits in a car alone? Goes into the mall unsupervised? Babysits a...
View Article4 Moms, 35+ Kids Answer Your Parenting Questions
I expect you all already know who the 4 Moms are, right? The ones with 35 kids and a couple more on the way? If not, get out from under your rock and get to know them! Smockity Frocks, Life in a Shoe,...
View ArticleThe Parent Game
I had a dream the other night that I thought I’d share with you. In it, I find myself sitting in a chair, facing very bright lights. My eyes adjust as I feel the heat from their unyielding beams...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to Make Little Kids Behave in Public
I’ve been asked several times (by young moms who have probably figured it all out for themselves by now because it took me so long to get around to an answer) how I get my kids to behave in public,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Thought on Chores and Consequences
Something I’m seeing a lot of lately in social media is parents using chores as consequences for misbehavior. Not only do these “grounded” kids have to do extra housework to get back to their video...
View ArticleHow To Make the Most of Your Character Curriculum
Honesty. Integrity. Kindness. Generosity. Humility. Strength. Charity. Look at all those pretty rows of tangible returns, gained through your loving and diligent teaching of “the Way” to your children....
View ArticleHow, Then, Shall We Parent?
Warning: This post contains no formula for raising “good” kids who won’t embarrass you in front of your church friends. So, I guess the people who like character “training” and systems of behavior...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Parenting for the Philosophically Fatigued
When I was about to become a mom for the first time, I spent a lot of time researching parenting philosophies. Most of the moms I know did the same thing, though I know a few who wouldn’t dream of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Are Abby Sunderland’s Parents Negligent?
Now that Abby Sunderland has been found alive and well, and is on her way home, (or is she already home?) it seems to be time to start picking apart the actions of her parents. Reactions have been...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Road to Hell and My Good Intentions
Taking my six year-old to Pizza Hut last night to collect his very first–and very last—Book-It reward for reading, I asked him if he was looking forward to reading his next book. “Why would I want to...
View ArticleDon’t Spank Your Kids
Curse at them, instead. My friend Tara introduced me to a book I hadn’t been aware of before today. Go the F—k to Sleep, a parody bedtime story, is apparently what our generation considers parenting...
View Article