Dad on Fire
Okay, here we go, let’s see if we can get you to catch. It’s just a tiny flame at first, gnawing away at the edge of some crumpled newspaper. now the paper feeds the smallest twigs, and pretty soon I’m…
Tough Questions
Q:My 12-year-old daughter is constantly judging kids and commenting on what they wear and how they look. This is new behavior for her. I’m worried that if she feels okay telling me these things, she could be even more outspoken…
Grandma in the House
About a year ago, my friend invited her mother-in-law to move in with her, her husband, and their two school-aged children. And my friend did so willingly. Enthusiastically, I might even say. You see, their cohabitation was an act of…
Want A Creative Kid? 7 Tips That Might Help!
Creativity. It’s something we all want. We see flashes of it in our spouse, in our coworkers, in the friend who spends twenty minutes on Pinterest and actually makes something. And we hope, in ourselves. Creativity is originality of thought.…
Gender Play Talk and Sibling Rivalry
Q: When I’m painting my nails, my 6-year-old son wants to join in the fun. He’ll help me, and sometimes paint his too.I don’t see a problem with this, but my boyfriend does. Do you think this is an issue? A: I…
Give Us a Break
Do everyone a favor. Start working on your 2011 tax returns right now. Now is the time to get your act together, rather than at eleven o’clock at night on the phone with the IRS the night before taxes are…
Mom and the Trying Times
Working from home, I’ve always appreciated peace and quiet. But there’s one squabble I never minded hearing. In fact, I actually made a point of tuning in to this argument, because I knew the day would come when it would…
Grass and the Dad
That’s okay, kids. Go ahead and laugh. I don’t mind. After all, it’s not every day you get to see your dad crawling across the wet lawn on his stomach, soaked and muddy, in full view of the neighbors. Don’t…
Talk To Your Kids About Sexual Abuse
Q: When the Jerry Sandusky case and the sexual abuse of kids were constantly in the news, a good friend and i had very different approaches to handling the situation with our families.She changed the subject (and the channel) whenever it…
