Category Archives: Parenting

parenting, children, working motherhood, reality check

The Best Things in Life are Freeloaded

This summer, my kids will swim in a series of private pools. My son will golf at a country club. We will vacation in Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.  And it won’t cost us more than the price of a ferry … Continue reading

Posted in Family life, Kids, Parenting, Travel | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Don’t Let it Go to Your Head

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

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

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

Posted in Cranky mommy blogger, Family life, Parenting, Reality check | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Can We Be Friends?

When my oldest daughter started preschool 14 years ago, I was antsy, pregnant and desperate to connect with other women. But friendship among mothers, as I quickly learned, is built on much more than shared experiences; it requires a similar … Continue reading

Posted in Cranky mommy blogger, Parenting, Reality check | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Who’s the Child Here?

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

Farewell, Facebook

My 16-year-old may be the first adolescent in history to deactivate her Facebook page. “What?” I asked, incredulous. I felt a little panicked that she was moving on just when I was catching on. Apparently she’s committed to returning to … Continue reading

Posted in Parenting, Teenagers | Tagged , | 3 Comments

A Mountain of Risk

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

Posted in Family life, Kids, Parenting, Teenagers | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

While You Were Out

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

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

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