Parenting
I Worry about our Teenagers- the Extroverts, the Introverts and the Ones in Between
My daughter is tired of me. She’s had enough. An almost 16-year-old extrovert is not meant for isolation. She is wired for connection, friendship and community and her family of 5 isn’t cutting it anymore. Her eyes look different…I can see the lonely. The past 6...
All Too Soon…
Last weekend I was in Las Vegas, the City of Lights. Before you conjure ideas of a weekend filled with flashy shows, incredible restaurants and glitz and glamour, let me clarify. I was Las Vegas supporting my 15-year-old daughter at a 3-day long volleyball...
Parenting Teenagers Means Finding Hope in Little Moments
As parents, we never know. We don’t know if we are doing our job correctly as a parent--raising responsible and kind young people to gift to the world when we launch them into adulthood. We don’t know if our kids feel connected to us, that we have done enough to be...
What We Learned Working A High School Dance
One night can teach a lot. Because our daughters are in leadership, my dear friend Lisa and I volunteered this past weekend to work the high school homecoming dance selling waters. We were the hydration station and we had a prime spot to soak in the night. We saw...
Growing Up, One Last at a Time
“At some point in your childhood, you and your friends went outside to play together for the last time, and nobody knew it”. My oldest son grew up with friends like the boys from the movie "The Sandlot". They started kindergarten together and they were a force to...
One Word… Bittersweet
Yesterday we dropped my sweet middle child off at college. He has a new home now and it’s a milestone in his life for sure. And in mine. It's the day I have dreamed of and the day I have dreaded all wrapped up in one big good-bye hug. My heart is washed over...
Dear High School Graduate
Dear High School Graduate, How can it be that just four short years ago I was writing to you as you entered high school? I gave you advice such as stay organized, be involved with school activities and ask for help when you needed it. I encouraged you to get to...
As Her Brother Takes A Step Into His New Life, She Will Take A Step Into Hers
It’s official. In exactly one month from today we drop my middle off at college. He leaves home, launches into adulthood, and spread his wings. Time to fly, Baby. While I sit and ponder, or if I’m being honest wallow, this change I have dreaded for 18 years, I am...
The Older Your Child Gets, The Closer the Goodbye Becomes
I remember the first day of kindergarten. I remember how far away your senior year in high school seemed and how unimaginable it was that one day you would be leaving me. I once heard the older your child gets, the closer the goodbye becomes… and it’s so painfully...
Is your Teenager Taking Care of The Big Three?
A teenager’s eyes tell all. As parents, we take one glance and it’s written all over their face. We know when something is wrong and when they aren’t their best. We immediately start guessing, decoding or deciphering what’s happening and more importantly, we want...
