The Waiting
The summer of 1986 meant riding my Schwinn Thrasher eight blocks to Lafayette Pharmacy where I cashed in my nickels for a bag of assorted Jolly Ranchers. The loot cost me $1.67, and the trip took a solid twenty minutes…
Challenges of Immigration
Immigration is in the news frequently, but some of the information can be confusing or contradictory. Let’s explore some of the terminology that’s being used as we continue to evaluate a system that is affecting so many families and businesses…
Expert Parenting Advice
We had some fertility challenges and used donors (egg and sperm) for both our children. Consequently, our two kids – ages three and almost five – look nothing like me or my husband. Body type, hair color, eye color –…
6 Big Ideas for Connecting with Kids
I remember a life in the not-so-distant past when my children were my constant companions. Their grubby-palmed grips and lap-time chats bound us together. But like hourglass sands, my companions are steadily slipping away. Some days, our quality time is…
Ask the Parenting Expert
I read some texts on my 11-year-old son’s phone and I’m horrified. His friends (boys and girls) are into way more than they should be at this age – or at least it appears like that is the case. There…
When It’s Drive Time for Teens
My introduction into the world of teaching teens to drive was purely fateful. I first attended a driver improvement class with my then-17-year-old son. He had a heavy foot at first, until reality set in, and the high cost of…
Bipartisan Compromise and VA’s Kids
On Thursday, June 7 – several months later than scheduled – Governor Ralph Northam signed the budget bills that dictate how state dollars will be spent in Virginia for the next two years. The delay was caused by the prolonged…
Done with the Yard
It’s been almost ten years since I woke up in this house and looked out the window at the humble landscape I planned to turn into the yard of my dreams. Here we were, freshly minted homeowners, and my mind…
Do the Library Like a Pro!
Have you ever wondered how to ensure your children understand the importance of lifelong learning? I started by showing my daughters, ages four and two, where it can take place – at the library. Not only is the library a…
