by Trisha Ladogna and Rachel Ruby
I watched Andrew Solomon’s Ted talk, “Love, No Matter What,” recently. And, it got me thinking about its relevance to stepfamilies and creating a stepfamily you love.
If you haven’t already seen it or it’s been awhile since you last watched Andrew’s talk, here it is:
http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_love_no_matter_what?language=en […]
by Julie Scagell
As my youngest turned 3, I was reminded that living with a toddler automatically qualifies a person for a myriad of possible career options. Whether you are a stay at home parent looking for entry back into the workforce, or a working parent looking for a career change, I am positive any brave soul who has survived toddlerhood will excel in one of the professions below.
Think of me as your underqualified high school guidance counselor, nudging you into the working world where you will be under stimulated and marginally compensated. You are welcome. […]
Jo-Ann Rogan
We are quickly approaching the stimulus overload, food holidays. These holidays clash completely with my kids and their special needs.
In the short time my kids have been alive we have spent three holidays in an emergency room. Three. The first one came as my youngest was just being diagnosed with his five anaphylactic food allergies. We were at the playground over a long holiday weekend.
My son, then a toddler, decided to sample a peanut butter sandwich that was on the tray of a stroller. He wound up having an anaphylaxis and I used his Epi-pen on him to save his life. Every single professional I encountered at the hospital told me over and over that I had saved my son’s life that day. It is something I can never forget. […]
by Karen Osburn
Dear Stressed Out Over-40 Mom,
I see you.
I know who you are, because I am just like you.
I became a Mom for the first time at 41, and then again, at 44.
I know you think you’re the only Mom who is ‘older’, but you’re not.
I know you think that you’re the only one who struggled with infertility, but you are also not alone when it comes to this issue. […]
by Irene Celcer
Natalie is 16 years old, a straight-A student. She is looking into colleges and excited about leaving home. Six months ago, she began dieting: “I want to look good when I go to college and for the prom.” Natalie loses weight and at first, she seems happy. “I feel so grown up with my new clothes,” she beams!
One day, her boyfriend negatively comments on the looks of a girlfriend saying to Natalie, “ I hope you don’t gain the freshman 15.” Natalie freezes inside and reaffirms her efforts not to ever gain weight … by vowing to pursue dieting as it consumes her entire day. […]
by Jo-Ann Rogan
Dearest Ryan,
I have been writing you letters on your birthday since you were four years old. Wish I thought to do this when you were younger. This year was about you blossoming.
You have grown so much this year. In early June you were on the tall side but had a little kid look to you with a roundness. Suddenly in July you were what seems like four inches taller, broad shouldered, and had a decidedly young-man-look. Your face is changing and you are wearing men’s sized clothing and shoes. You have become a strong young man. You often volunteer to carry heavy things for me.
You started this summer as a little boy. In July, your rapid growth had your brain chemistry thrown off and your behavior was hard to manage and you were just hard to reach. August brought a new found calm. When your Dad was away working on his big project you stepped in to be my right hand man. Often when Aaron was melting down you were the one to take the higher road in your arguments. I was so thankful for your calm head. I enjoyed the time we had together in August and I adored our “summer bucket list,” which was a list of things we wanted to do this summer. Last week, we crossed everything off the list with the time we spent at the beach. […]
by Melanie Elliott
Our first Halloween with The Littlest E was easy breezy. He was 15 months old and didn’t really know or care about pumpkins, costumes, going trick-or-treating, or eating candy. We stayed home that year and answered the door whenever the bell rang.
For the past few years some friends of ours whose son is The Littlest E’s age, have held a Halloween potluck. They live in a great kid-friendly neighborhood with lots of children going door-to-door. We starting going to their house when The Littlest E was a little over 2 years old. That first year attending their party, we lasted 10 minutes trick-or-treating. Our little guy was too scared of adults in costume and he didn’t even like being in his own costume. It was all a bit too much for him. […]
by Melanie Elliott
I became a mom, through adoption, at the age of 45. I’ve been a mom now for a little over 4 years, which means I’m pushing 50.
Yikes and Yay!
I love being this age, even though I have a few more cricks and creaks in my body. For the most part, I have a pretty level head, am grounded and comfortable in my skin. Life is good with no major complaints. There’s a bit more stress in my everyday world because we recently rescued a lovely dog, Pepper, so we’re all adjusting to the furry addition in our lives. And, there’s an added layer of, well let me call it mishegas (Yiddish for crazy), in life due to entering the world of perimenopause. […]
by Maggie Lamond Simone
“I wouldn’t go back there for the world!” I said to a woman whose daughter was picking out new school stuff alongside my son.
“All I did was worry about homework and clothes, and if I wasn’t doing that, I was chasing a boy – not that I ever caught one. It was just way too much stress.”
“I know!” the woman laughed. “I’m glad this one’s only in first grade!”
“That’s when I was talking about,” I replied. She grabbed her child and fled. […]
by Nancy LaMar Rodgers
Here’s to Your Health
I put the supplements up on the counter at the health food store. My eight month old was positioned on my hip and my 11 year old was standing next to me, bored and put out by the endless errands we had to run that day.
On the counter was Kava Kava for relaxation, B12 for energy, Vitamin D for my immune, Psyllium powder for constipation, and Black Cohosh for menopausal symptoms. My son was fidgeting and trying to grab whatever was colorful on the counter. The owner had yet to come to the register. I handed the baby off to his sister and said, “hold your brother for a second, I forgot something.” She obliged begrudgingly, still annoyed with his existence, ruining her standing as an “only child.” […]
