Category Archives: Family life

Don’t Let it Go to Your Head

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

If my 8-year-old had to derive her sense of self strictly from the public recognition she received last week, she’d be insufferable. Good thing she’s got me to keep things in perspective. First, she was asked  to sign the Principal’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Cranky mommy blogger, Family life, Kids, Parenting, Reality check | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Adderall to the Rescue

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

I awoke yesterday morning to an urgent email from a friend who I’ll call Charlotte, asking me to read an essay she’d written. She included a postscript on the bottom: “FYI: I stayed up all night. ALL NIGHT. Instead of … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Parenting, Reality check, Working motherhood | Tagged , | 2 Comments

June is the Cruelest Month

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

December has always been my least favorite month, but June is now running a close second. The things that I despise about December–the stressing over gifts, the relentless parties, the overeating and drinking, the looming stretch of school vacation–have come … Continue reading →

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Who’s the Child Here?

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

My 8-year-old was watching the “American Idol” finale in my bedroom when I walked in to put away some clothes. “Can you please leave?” she asked. Apparently she planned to dance around, and my presence was inhibiting. I refused: “It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Cranky mommy blogger, Family life, Parenting, Reality check, Teenagers | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A Mountain of Risk

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

I am not a particularly cautious parent. My kids ride their bikes to school, take the train into Boston with friends, fly alone to visit relatives. My son plays football and rapels down trees, both girls went to sleep- away … Continue reading →

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While You Were Out

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

I’m happy to report that on our girls’ weekend, we did our best to “Keep Austin Weird,” as the city’s ironic motto instructs. Laid-back, liberal Austin isn’t weird at all, except compared to the rest of the state. In fact, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Kids, Parenting, Travel | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

When the Enabler Goes Away on Girls’ Weekend

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

I don’t expect anyone to weep for me, but I am preparing to go away on a girls’ weekend, and it is hell. First, I have to leave the house in relatively good order: laundry done, refrigerator stocked, sports uniforms … Continue reading →

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If You’ve Never Said This, You’re Lying

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

This is the children’s book I would write if I could write children’s books. Indeed, it’s eerie how the author, Adam Mansbach, seems to have been hiding under the crib in my son’s room 12 years ago… Check it out … Continue reading →

Posted in Cranky mommy blogger, Family life, Parenting | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Why Goldfish are the Worst Pets in the World

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

Poor Thunder. S/he lived but two days in a shiny glass bowl in our laundry room. My eight-year-old, already wise to the whims of  goldfish life, was adamant that he not reside in her room so she didn’t have to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cranky mommy blogger, Family life, Kids, Parenting | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Yard Work is No Picnic

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

When my husband announced Saturday morning that he was going to refinish the picnic table this weekend, I did not have high hopes. For one thing, I didn’t even know the picnic table needed refinishing, which meant that this was … Continue reading →

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