Conversations

Daddy’s the Best and You’re Not

Parenting can both inflate the ego and then, often seconds later, squash it like a blueberry underfoot.

10 Milestones That Aren’t on the Charts

Different accomplishments happen at different times for kids. Over the years, my children have taught me what growing up really looks like.

How Movies Can Build Kids' Character - and the Ones That Do It Well

Has your kid ever misbehaved like Alvin from the Chipmunks movies? Or mean-girled her friends like the Bratz dolls? Don't feel bad. Kids pick up all kinds of things from movies. But they can just a...

Five things dysfunctional parents teach their kids (by omission)

Being raised by neglectful parents has its upsides, I guess. I had to learn these things on my own and it made me who I am.

The Day My Kid-holding Arm Failed: A Lesson in Cradling

My left side, for about six years, has been busy holding – hearing, soothing, processing – a child.

Kid Made Recipe: Lemon Icebox Cake

Love lemon? Even your littlest kitchen helpers can assist with this classic, lemon icebox cake.

You Don’t Need to Clean the Family Room Tonight – Promise!

You might not know this, but if you don’t clean up your family room tonight, guess what? Nothing will happen.

Want More Sex in Your Marriage? Start With Forgiveness.

I think it’s safe to say that sex is an important part of any healthy marriage, and that it’s worth you and your spouse going out of your way to make sure it happens often. Yet even the most sex-po...

5 Ways Acting Like a Dad Will Make You a Rock Star Mom

At some point in our parenting journey, I stopped bitching at my husband to be more like me as a parent and started learning from him instead.

8 Ways to Step Up Storytime and Make Kids Fall in Love With Books

Sharing a book is one of the easiest ways parents can teach reading habits a child will need to be a lifelong lover of the written word.

What You Need to Know About Giving Your Children Allowance

70 percent of kids get some kind of allowance nowadays. If you’re considering giving an allowance to your kids, here are some basic things to consider:

How to Teach Your Child Your Native Language in One Easy Step

With years of trial and error under my belt, I finally figured out how to get kids to start actually liking, adoring, and loving their native language.

10 Ways to Raise Extraordinary Human Beings

Here are 10 things we can do to raise extraordinary human beings, who recognize their own strengths and know how to use them.

How Parents Can Challenge Their Children with Stretch Goals

I love challenging my kids to do better and be better. I do it all the time. I think part of me has developed it into a little mental game, a satisfying mom challenge.

How to Raise an Open-Minded Child

Open-mindedness is hard, especially in this era of intense political polarization. But raising our kids to think that way benefits everyone.

The Future Is Love and It’s in My Kitchen

It's hard to feel powerless when we stop looking at the world out there and look at the world in here: in our kitchens and in our family rooms and our beds.

An Ode to Sisters-in-law, and Love

Why is there no holiday celebrating in-laws? What a unique gift, to gain new parents and siblings halfway through life.

If We Talked to Everyone the Way We Talk to Expectant Mothers

Since when did it become OK to greet good news with predictions of doom?

What Children Overhear Matters Now More Than Ever

Things are happening in the world right now, and we can get so caught up in it that we may not notice how it’s affecting our children.

How to Keep Stir-Crazy Preschoolers Occupied Indoors

When kiddos get restless and emotions run high, you need several go-to activities that are easy to put into place and don’t require too much pre-planning.

Child Anxiety and What to Do About It

Lots of children can “hold it together” at school. How can we help children lower their buzz and not explode?

How Awe Transforms Us – and How to Create More of It for Your Kids

Awe offers so many ways for our children to prosper in this challenging world. Seeking opportunities to experience awe is critical to their well-being.

How to Build a Solid Framework For Raising a Responsible Kid

Parents can take a positive, supportive approach by fostering these three major components of responsibility.