Ages + Stages

I have a confession: I don’t really like to play with my daughter, Karys. Just saying that makes me feel like a bad mom. Playing is supposed to be one of the things I enjoy, right? Don’t get me...

I remember when I was a kid, the air was warm and electric as I got off the bus on that last day of school. I remember sliding barefoot through the grass as the sprinkler sprayed ice cold water on me....

“It’s Time to Go!” Oh geez. We only have ten minutes. “Son, come on! Put that toy down and get your shoes on!” Ok, I have my phone, wallet, keys, diaper bag…..oh! The snacks! “Son, what are you doing?! Put your shoes on!” Ok,...

Motherhood is difficult. I thought it was hard with one child, and then we went and did it again. Baby number two just joined the family. We are only a month in as a family of four, however the...

Ahhh, bedtime. Since becoming a parent, I’ve always looked forward to this precious time of day. When my kiddos were small and needed so-many-things and so-much-supervision, bedtime meant that I got a break. Today my kids are six and...

They seem to come out of nowhere. Even if you can plan for or predict them, it doesn't take away their intensity.  There's the scream, the foot stomp, the aggressive "No," and that face that makes you feel hot, stressed...

We try not to have the news on when our kids are around. They have enough to think about without adding sex scandals, kidnappings, and athletes beating their girlfriends to the list. However, when last month's shooting at Marjory...

It's here. 'Back to school' season. Screeching into my neighborhood Fred Meyer, not to mention the foothold it's had on Target for the last two weeks. Last summer I could. not. wait. for school to start again. My girls...

Sometimes it's hard letting the littlest grow up. On a rainy Saturday morning, I’m sipping hot ginger tea at our large granite kitchen island. The littlest stumbles out of his room, rubbing his eyes and looking for me. His blue pajama pants look...

Humor is a wonderful tool for coping with challenging situations, diffusing arguments, asking your kiddos to pretty please do their chores, or reminding your sweet baby for the eleventy-billionth time not to wipe her boogers on the wall next...