Teenagers

Graduation is one of those milestones that make a mother both proud and absolutely wrecked. There's joy and sorrow, anticipation and apprehension. There's remembering the past and looking forward to the future. If you have a child graduating this year...

Like nearly everyone in the world, my daily life as I knew it changed completely with the pandemic. Suddenly, my active-duty husband and I transitioned to working from home, and our two young children began virtual learning - all in...

This goes out to all the military moms of teenagers, from the military moms of little ones. Teenagers. There are a million preconceived notions of what that age group is like and usually, they aren't the most reassuring. That's why I...

Making Female Superheroes Mainstream  Have you heard this riddle before?  A boy and his father are driving down the road and crash. The father dies. The boy is rushed to hospital and when the surgeon walks in says, "I can’t operate...

What do you like to do for fun? When I am finished with my homework, I like to do things like draw, practice soccer skills, and make things out of what my mom calls “trash.” Do you know what all...

As the dawning of a new year around the sun is starting to show, I find myself reflecting on the last 30 + 1 years. Something I do from time to time if I'm feeling nostalgic or in need...

I hate to admit this, but it starts young. I remember the first time my daughter called herself fat. She was only 5 years old. Was it me? I tried to not mention my bodyweight or anyone else's in front...

Empty. What a strange word. It has multiple meanings. You might have an empty bank account, an empty stomach, or an empty bucket. Dictionary.com lists its meaning as “containing nothing.” What a punch in the gut. You see, we’re about to be...

The other day I was at the bookstore with my daughter. We happened upon The Care and Keeping of You from the American Girl Library. She picked it up and asked me what it was about. I said, "Remember that funny-sounding...

My day had begun pleasantly. My kids were at school;  my husband was at work; I was preparing for my day. I was getting ready for work and left my phone downstairs on a charger. I rushed downstairs to grab...

In some ways, college hasn't changed all that much in the past 20, OK ... 23 years since I went away to school. Dorms still provide students with only the bare bones of necessities that include a bed, a...

My oldest daughter had a rough week. She said goodbye to her first boyfriend, as his family moved to another state. She also said goodbye to her best friend. This has been a long summer of farewells, tears, and...