Category Archives: Parenting
Language of Love
Parenting is often on the fly, I’ve come to learn. By that, I mean I make a lot of shit up when posed with hard or unexpected questions. For example, La Chica, age 8, asked recently, “Why do they make … Continue reading
My Father’s Daughter
“You’re just like your father,” my mother would always say to me as I was growing up. And it was never meant as a compliment. There was always a tone of disdain and disgust in her voice. There was never … Continue reading
Posted in Parenting, Relationships
Tagged family dynamics, father daughter, self-hatred, self-loathing
9 Comments
Family Secrets
A friend asked me what my parents’ reaction was after I told them I was published in the Huffington Post. I crinkled my eyebrows and said of course I hadn’t told them. I haven’t told them for a lot of … Continue reading
Posted in Empowerment, Mindfulness, Parenting, Relationships
Tagged dysfunctional family, family dynamics, family secrets, secrets, shame, writing
17 Comments
Hard to Find Good Help
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has become a day of service. Choosing specific days of service is a wonderful thing–soup kitchens on Thanksgiving, donating to Toys for Tots during the holidays, volunteering on MLK, Jr. Day, etc. I also value … Continue reading
Posted in Mindfulness, Parenting
Tagged day of service, Jr. Day, kindness, Martin Luther King, MLK Day, volunteering
10 Comments
Recipe for Resilience
La Chica, age 8, wanted to make pancakes from her special princess recipe book. Yes, Hell has a bookstore section, and Satan sells this cookbook. Unfortunately for me, she was already feeling a bit verklempt that morning by the time … Continue reading
I Hereby Resolve: No More New Year’s Resolutions!
Have you created your list of New Year’s resolutions yet? I haven’t, and I won’t. I’ve never been one to wait once a year to decide to change something. Throughout the year, I decide to change my behaviors or … Continue reading
Posted in Meditation, Mindfulness, Parenting, Relationships
Tagged gratitudes, mindfulness, new year's resolutions
10 Comments
Family: The Gift That Keeps On Giving
The holiday season is a special time. For eating too much, drinking too much, stressing out over gifts and sending out Christmas cards. In short, an ambivalent time for people. There’s a lot of pressure to have Hallmark-perfect family gatherings … Continue reading
Posted in Mindfulness, Parenting, Relationships
Tagged family dynamics, holidays with family, sibling rivalry
4 Comments
Make a Joyful Noise
I believe God has a sense of humor. Sometimes I think He thinks He’s funny and I respectfully disagree. This happens when one too many things go wrong at once, or when I’m faced with one too many ironies. But … Continue reading
Bookmarking Your Life Story
Guest post from The Boy, age 11. “If something sad happens, you should always move on. What you shouldn’t do is forget. For example, in a book you place bookmarks where you left off. Think about it like your life … Continue reading
Saying Good-Bye
“I don’t know how to say good-bye.” La Chica writes this in an important note to me about her feelings of her good friends moving away. I don’t blame her. No one knows how to say good-bye. It’s hard and … Continue reading
Posted in Empowerment, Mindfulness, Parenting, Relationships
Tagged Endings, grief, loss, relationships
4 Comments
Thrive Fully Creative 