Author Archives: Susan H. Greenberg

About Susan H. Greenberg

Susan H. Greenberg spent 22 years as a journalist for Newsweek Magazine. She now works as a writer, editor, teacher, and parent of three children, with whom she strives always to maintain a varnish-free relationship.

Love Me, Love My Foibles

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

My friend Linda has a theory that the qualities that first attract you to a mate are the same ones that will annoy the crap out of you later. So if, for instance, it’s his mild- mannered agreeableness you first … Continue reading →

Posted in Division of Labor, Family life, Marriage, Reality check | Tagged | 4 Comments

The Lack-of-Variety Show

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

It’s 5:00 in the afternoon and I’m sitting inside a darkened auditorium watching the dress rehearsal for the annual elementary school Variety Show. I’ve got my laptop and a bag full of snacks, because I know I’m in for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Kids, Parenting, Reality check, School | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Every Day I Write the Book

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

I’ve got a new work schedule, and it involves getting the mail as often as possible. Yesterday, I went out to retrieve it twice, even though it was there the first time. That’s how antsy the new arrangement makes me. … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Family life, Food, Kids, Parenting, Reality check, Working motherhood | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Diet of the Week

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

Last week my son announced he was going to stop drinking soda and eating red meat. Given that he has subsisted almost entirely on bacon and root beer for 14 years, this came as something of a shock. Still, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Boys will be boys, Family life, Food, Kids, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Throwing My Counterweight Around

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

One of my key roles as parent is to contradict whatever my children do or say. If a child is feeling blue, my job is to cheer her up; if she’s inexplicably giddy, I make her empty the dishwasher. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Boys will be boys, Family life, Kids, Parenting, Teenagers | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Lotsa Helping Hands Aboard the Meal Train

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

The son of some good friends of ours was seriously injured in a skiing accident a few weeks ago. Thankfully, after a harrowing week,  he was released from the hospital and is now recuperating at home. Just as I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Neighbors, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

No Day Without Sunshine

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

When I got home, I noticed a long, rectangular box perched on our front steps. The return address read, “Cushman’s, for Harry & David.” Great! I thought; some loving friend or relative vacationing in Florida sent us some citrus to … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Marriage, Parenting, Reality check | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Hypocritical Parenting

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

I remember the first time I realized my parents didn’t always practice what they preached. We were at the ticket window of a museum, and I heard them ask for two Adult and two Child tickets–even though I was just … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Kids, Parenting, Reality check, Teenagers | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Teen’s Best Friend

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

The first clue that Petco had snookered me again came in the form of a text message from my 16-year-old daughter. It read: “I’m going to take your lack of an answer as yes, I can buy a hamster. Thanks!” … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Kids, Parenting, Teenagers | Tagged , | 2 Comments

For the Love of Siblings

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

My little brother is the only person on earth I have ever punched as hard as I could. It’s been 35 years, but I can still recall the intense feelings of rage I felt toward him for his hideous way … Continue reading →

Posted in Boys will be boys, Family life, Kids, Parenting, Teenagers | Tagged | 7 Comments