Category Archives: Working motherhood

Removing the Names to Protect the Guilty

Posted on September 19, 2012 by

Apparently I’ve been on a hiatus. In general, if I don’t post for awhile, it probably means one of two things: either someone in my family has done something–possibly involving body art, sexual exploration, illicit substances, and/or the police– that … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Parenting, Reality check, Teenagers, Working motherhood | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Every Day I Write the Book

Posted on March 27, 2012 by

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

Nothing Two Advil Won’t Cure

Posted on November 17, 2011 by

When my son first told me his head hurt after football practice, I offered my standard response: “I’m sure it’s nothing; take two Advil.” By now, I should know better. I have given this erroneous assessment at least a dozen … Continue reading →

Posted in Boys will be boys, Family life, Kids, Parenting, Reality check, Working motherhood | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The Back-to-School Build Up

Posted on August 15, 2011 by

I love that old Staples commercial that shows a father gleefully filling a shopping cart with school supplies, kicking his heels to the strains of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” while his kids mope along behind. I, … Continue reading →

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

Adderall to the Rescue

Posted on June 10, 2011 by

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

When the Enabler Goes Away on Girls’ Weekend

Posted on May 10, 2011 by

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

Why My Kids Will Never Play Carnegie Hall

Posted on April 12, 2011 by

Ever since Amy Chua’s explosive book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother  came out, I have been thinking a lot about what kind of parent I am, and whether it’s my fault that none of my kids excels at anything in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cranky mommy blogger, Kids, Parenting, Reality check, Working motherhood | Tagged , | Leave a comment

If a Tree Falls in the Forest…

Posted on April 6, 2011 by

As a teenager, I dreamed of having the house where all the kids wanted to hang out. But there was too much supervision and not enough junk food (see “It’s Grandma! Hide the Froot Loops”). It seems I finally have that house–thanks no … Continue reading →

Posted in Boys will be boys, Parenting, Working motherhood | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Happy Sweet 16, From Far Away

Posted on February 18, 2011 by

Today my dear, sweet, firstborn daughter turns 16, and I am away on a business trip. This seems entirely fitting,  since I wasn’t around 15 years ago when she took her first steps, either. I was at work in the Newsweek … Continue reading →

Posted in Cranky mommy blogger, Kids, Parenting, Reality check, Working motherhood | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment