Conversations

Catching Glimpses of a Man in My Teenage Son

I knew it would go quick, but still my mind could never fathom, never fully grasp that this baby would someday become a man.

Practice Doesn't Always Make Perfect

This is a submission in our monthly contest. October’s theme is Determination. My husband is perfect. Don’t be mad. But he is. He a great dad, a great provider, a great friend, and he’s top at ever...

A Good Reason for My Sleepless Nights

I have a motherhood confession. There is a child (or two or three) sleeping in my bed more nights than not.

She’s Going to Do This All by Herself

She’s going to sing and dance, anytime, anywhere.

Though She Be but Little

There are so many moments like this, when my daughter’s headstrong, willful determination makes me anxious and worried.

The Things to Remember When Positive Parenting Fails

When it feels like you’re not getting different results despite doing the “right” thing over and over again, here are a few things to keep in mind.

When I Got Married, I Realized My Mom Missed Her Calling as a Wedding Planner

So what did all this neurotic attention to detail result in? The most magical wedding I could ever have imagined.

Rewards and Punishments Don't Intrinsically Motivate – These Things Do

Rather than teach them to overvalue the approval of others, we ought to teach them to follow their own quiet voice of guidance.

What Do I Tell My Granddaughter When Tragedy Strikes?

What do I tell her when she sees I am a million sad miles away when she is showing me her latest gymnastic move and I miss it or asks why my eyes are red?

I Have a Hereditary Visual Disability – Is My Son a Ticking Time Bomb?

For prospective parents with chronic hereditary medical conditions, exploring this has merit. Here are three important considerations.

How to Keep Kids Calm During Shots (and a Bonus Reason For Doing so)

How do we possibly overcome what seems like an impossible task to keep our kids happy and calm before they get pricked? Here are some ideas.

How to Find the Sweet Spot in Discipline: Parenting Advice From a High School Teacher

There is a way to be genuine with your kids, have a good relationship, and still be the parent. You aren’t losing your influence, it’s just changing.    

My 7-Year-Old's Top Concern After Getting "The Talk"

All that research and preparation goes out the window when you're face-to-face with your kid about to have "The Talk."

What Does Single Motherhood Mean for Kids?

Surprise! A growing body of research finds kids in single parent households aren't sentenced to lives of poverty, crime, or addiction.

From Mentor to Meltdown: How to Handle Your Highly Verbal Preschooler

One minute it feels like you’re talking to a mini-adult, the next you’re dealing with a screaming newborn. Here's some help.

Dr. Mom

A good psychologist helps a child and gets paid for it. A good mother tries in vain, and then her child succeeds in spite – not because – of her help.

Navigating the Tricky Waters of Kids and New Partners

Once you’re divorced with a child, that is a background fact for the rest of your life. Nothing will change it.

Why do I Save Spiders?

I really thought I'd gotten over my fear of spiders, at least to the point where I could remove them from my kids’ rooms when needed. You always know when it’s needed. There is no shriek quite as p...

My Toddler Taught Me More About Mindfulness Than Deepak Chopra Ever Could

I could go off into the mountains for a month-long retreat and I still wouldn’t come close to being as present as my daughter is every night at bedtime.

Cry-Baby and Other Questionable Baby-Related Expressions

There are a lot of expressions out there about babies. You've heard them, you've used them, and now it’s high time to see how they stack up.

Don't Talk to Your Sons About Sex – Talk About This Instead

If you’re wondering about the right time to talk to your son about sex, then recent research has some recommendations for you: don’t.

What Would A Better Mother Than Me Do?

The thing is I don't know a single mother who does feel like she knows what she's doing. Not in real life, anyway.

5 Productive Questions to Ask at Teacher Conferences

Addressing the following questions will give both you and teacher a better understanding of the child throughout the year.