12 Things Only Parents of Pubescent Kids Understand

Well, hello there, Puberty. It’s been a while. What’s new, you ask? Let’s see, I have an 11-year-old son — oh, wait. That’s right. You know him. You know all about Boy Wonder — the kid who grew nearly five inches last year who’s now suddenly sprouting pimples and hair in all the … places. […]

Creativity Is King: What Art Can Do for Your Kids

Before my kids were able to fully express themselves through words, they were little artists creating images as bold and unique as they were. And while mini masterpieces on important papers, floors, and walls tested my patience at times, it didn’t take long for me to realize that a crayon in the hand was worth […]

The Pros and Cons of Being the “It” House in the Neighborhood

Remember when you were growing up, how there was that one house on the street that all the neighborhood kids gravitated to? Maybe the house had a pool, or a pool table, or a basketball hoop. Maybe the parents were more lenient than yours or the garage housed a fridge full of soda. Whatever the […]

4 Ways My New Commitment to Health Is Making Me a Better Mom

“I just snapped at my kids because I was hungry.” When I shared this Facebook status, I was met with overwhelming support.  People more than understood; they rallied in support of my hangry regret knowing all too well how food (or lack thereof) affects your mood. But what they didn’t know was that I had begun […]

“Are We Those Neighbors?” That Time My Kids Damaged My Neighbor’s Property … Again

From first pets and bike rides to sleepovers and school projects, childhood is filled with wonder, laughter, and difficult lessons. And while many of these lessons are taught inside classrooms and homes, some of the biggest can be learned in our own front yard. Living in the suburbs of Southern California, my family shares a […]

How to Get Work Done This Summer with Kids at Home

So hey there, I’m pretty excited to be over at Mom 2.0 Summit sharing my kid-tested, WAHM-approved tips for getting work done with kids at home all summer. Take a look by clicking HERE!

6 Teacher-Recommended Ways to Combat the Summer Slide

Summer means a lot of things – fun in the sun, cookouts, and time with friends and family, but it can also lead to a loss of academic skill that your child worked so hard to acquire over the previous school year. The good news is that keeping academic skills sharp over the summer months […]

10 Things to Do When You Can’t Sleep

We’ve all been there – exhausted and unable to sleep. We toss, turn, add a blanket, adjust the pillow, count sheep and yet, nothing seems to do the trick. With each minute that passes, we become increasingly anxious – performing quick math to determine just how much sleep we’ll be getting if we fall asleep […]

5 Ways My Older Son is Helping Out with His Little Brother This Summer

This summer marks my third as a work-at-home mom. Long gone are the days of full-time summer daycare programs and group field trips. Gone are the uninterrupted work days in my freezing cubicle and an actual quitting time. I’m on summer’s schedule now, desperately trying to fit work into a house inhabited by kids. While […]

Kids Reveal What Summer Means to Them

When we think back on our own childhoods, what do we remember most? School, a few holidays, the family pet, and summer. We remember pools, beaches, road trips, lazy days, and sleeping in. We remember ice cream trucks, playing until the street lights came on, sleepovers, and summer camp. We remember cookouts, playing in the […]