In all honesty, I didn't give much thought to feminist ideals when I was growing up in Western Pennsylvania in the 1970s. In some ways, my family was very "traditional." Roman Catholic faith. Weekly Sunday dinners with the extended family. I played with dolls while my brother played with cars. My...
From the time my children were born, I’ve been on a mission to do things “right.” For me, that entailed reading dozens of parenting books, talking with child psychologists, and volunteering at a local public health nonprofit organization that focused on helping parents foster healthy child...
Every day I make parenting choices based on a combination of instinct, experience, and fear, and then I pray for the best. These two kids mean everything to me, so I can't tell you how many times I've bargained with God, especially during their teen years. Of all the goals in my life, the biggest...
Thanksgiving has long been my favorite holiday because there is nothing better than sitting down to a fabulous meal with my favorite people. This year, our family enjoyed a quiet holiday with only my mother and brother at our table (typically we are all in Pennsylvania with the extended family)....
My mother visited this past weekend. She's come regularly since my first child's birth, providing much-needed help when my kids were young, and welcome company now. Despite living in another state, she’s here often enough to witness my parenting highs and lows. This weekend she saw a bit of both,...
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that, at this point in my life, I’m rather depleted--of energy, optimism, and creativity. Why? For the same reasons you are. Too many commitments. Too many horror stories on the news. Too many things I can’t control that, nonetheless, kick into my life with the...
Here comes summer! Temperatures have jumped dramatically. My kids are currently taking finals. And the gardens are in full bloom. Yes, summer is officially here. As usual, our family calendar is stuffed with various out-of-town sports and leadership camps, as well as pleasure trips and family...
I never intended to use this blog for political purposes. Even now, this post is not really intended as political commentary as much as a plea for personal responsibility. Like so many, I am dismayed by the way current leaders are trampling upon the very freedom that made this nation great, in...
