Parenting
Peace Out Middle School
Dear Baby Girl, You did it. We did it. Thank God it’s over. We survived Middle School. Yes, I know I didn’t technically go to school with you, but I walked beside you for the whole crazy journey, so I hope you humor me and let me call this a “We” triumph. Coming...
Evening of Dreams: A Night to Remember
Sometimes a picture doesn’t do a moment justice. The moment is too big, too amazing, too special. The picture may show smiles and happy faces but what the picture doesn’t tell is the love and kindness that has created the smiles and happy faces. The picture...
The College Journey Means Blind Faith and What If’s
Launching your child to college sadly means change. As parents, we prepare for these changes the best we can but let's be honest, we are never fully prepared for all that lies ahead. It’s just like when you have your first born—you’re prepared for what you think...
Dear Class of 2018, We have Failed You
Dear Class of 2018, We have failed you. I’m embarrassed to be a part of this generation that has created an unattainable expectation for college acceptances. Our system is flawed, and you are the unfortunate inheritors of this whacked out process we’ve created in...
The New “Everyone Does It”… 4 Important Talking Points with your Teenager about Vaping
Remember that commercial- the one with the lady who smoked through the open hole in her neck? Debi Austin first appeared on television in 1996, telling viewers she began smoking at age 13 and could never quit. In a raspy smoker’s voice, Austin told the camera,...
Does a Piece of Plastic Buy Self Esteem?
I remember it so well. My now college-age son played on a recreation youth basketball team as a little fella. They were terrible, maybe scored 4 points in a game, if they were lucky. They were so bad it was cute… kinda. At the end of the season I mentioned to my...
After High School, the No is as Good as the Yes
Life likes to play tricks on us. High school seniors start the year looking forward to the “Best year of high school”. They envision the joys of being the kings of the school, the leaders, the cool kids, the ones coasting into graduation. They can smell their cap...
Staying Connected To The Village That Raised My Son
There is something to be said for people who know your history, especially people who you have raised your kids with. It’s a bond, a connection, a union that reminds you of a time in your life when were exhausted, busy, and worn-down. A time in your life where...
Keeping Up With the Wiotosots
It used to be we had to keep up with the Joneses-- the fictional family who had it all. That morphed into Keeping with the Kardashians- another somewhat fictional family who capitalized on pretending to have it all and used social media to skyrocket themselves to...
Dear Middle Child
Dear Middle Child, I see you. It sucks not being the oldest (hello privileges) and not being the youngest (hello baby). You’re caught in the middle and you’ve had to carve your own title in our crazy family. You remind us often that your older brother is cherished,...
