This September, my oldest child is starting her final year of high school, so it will be my last time taking the requisite 'Back to School photo'. It's only in the last six or seven years that I have consistently taken a first-day-of school-picture—before that, I simply put them in their new(ish) … [Read more...]
I Never Knew Parenting A Teen Could Feel So Lonely
"Bye Mom!" I wave goodbye as the car door slams and watch my teenage kids walk towards the school. I won't see them again until late at night, except sometimes for a quick shuttle from school to activities. Meandering home, I think of the elementary school days when I would hang around after the … [Read more...]
Moody Adolescent Or Depressed Teen? Looking For The Signs
Over the past couple of months, the media has rampantly reported on a recent court case in the US regarding a young man that committed suicide at the urging of his girlfriend. She was found guilty for convincing him to carry out his suicide plan via a series of text messages. While this young man … [Read more...]
The Final Countdown: My Summer To-Do List For August
When the end of June hits, most parents I know are thankful for the few months of reprieve ahead, as the hustle of the school year, especially those last two months, gets tedious near the end of the year. Summer time can be a combination of lazy-days around the house, and epic adventures with some … [Read more...]
I Won’t Let Your Kids Drink At My House And I Expect The Same From You
Summertime with teenagers is different than summer time with smaller kids. As soon as school lets out, they are making plans with friends and Snapping and Instagramming like crazy between their seasonal work gigs. Social media has made this is the season for teens to experience serious FOMO (fear of … [Read more...]
My Doctor’s Refusal To Give Me Liposuction Was A Blessing In Disguise
I have always been a little bit self-conscious of my belly fat, even though I am someone that would be considered of normal weight. Even in my late teens, I had a small belly-paunch that I was concerned about. Looking back now, I didn’t appreciate the fact that I was pretty thin at less than 120 … [Read more...]
Snapchat’s New ‘Snap Maps’ Feature Has Parents Concerned For Their Kids’ Safety
‘Mom, have you downloaded the new Snapchat update? It’s so cool!’ Since I am not a regular Snapchat user, merely a mom who has downloaded the app to follow my kids and mess around with filters, I hadn’t updated the new feature. And then I found out what it was. Snapmaps is a location-based … [Read more...]
Making Friends In Your 40s (Without A Cottage Or Boat) Is Brutal
Even as an adult, you never shake the feeling of being that kid in the schoolyard, awkwardly standing with your arms outstretched, asking, ‘Hey, wanna be my friend?’ Now it’s more likely to happen in a fitness class, at work, when you're hanging around your kids' sports activities or at their … [Read more...]
Sorry, Karla Homolka—You Don’t Get To Turn Your Life Around
I was a young adult when the story of Karla Homolka and her ex-husband Paul Bernardo hit the news. Though I was roughly the same age as her, the details of their grisly crimes were too much for me to handle at the time. But I knew that they were Canadians involved in the rape and murders of young … [Read more...]
Hollywood’s Obsession With Reboots Is Ruining TV (And Our Childhoods)
Back in May, the 3-hour TV remake of the hit movie Dirty Dancing aired on ABC to mostly disastrous reviews and a barrage of Twitter memes and snarky comments. While nostalgia always seems to be in style, the recent trend of big screen classics into made-for-TV movies or live productions has become a … [Read more...]