5 Tips to Beat the Heat

1. Who is susceptible to Heat Illness? Children under the age of 4 and adults over the age of 65 are at most risk of becoming ill from the heat. Obesity, certain medications, some chronic illnesses and being overdressed all further increase the risk. Today, I’m focusing on kids but the idea is pretty much the same for seniors. […]

Thank You To My Mom Village

Mother’s Day is bittersweet for me. I lost my mom to ovarian cancer in 2007 when I had three small girls. The oldest was six and had just started Kindergarten, the youngest still a baby. In the final weeks of my mother’s life, my husband, Larry, asked what I needed, and I said, “I can’t […]

Did Being a Nice Mom Hurt My Kids?

Last Wednesday, I saw a video I thought my son, Shane, would like to see. When I called up to him to come downstairs, his immediate response was, “Are you mad? Am I in trouble?” I asked him, “Shane, when am I ever mad at you?” and his response was, “You never really are.” “When do […]

Stop Being ONLY as Happy as Your LEAST Happy Child.

I was probably in my mid-thirties the first time I heard, or paid any attention to the oft-used parenting cliche, “You are only as happy as your least happy child.” I remember thinking, YES! Absolutely. I’m so glad it isn’t just me. It is impossible to be happy when your child isn’t.  More than a […]

I’ve Been a Nice Mom…Did That Hurt My Kids?

Last Wednesday, I saw a video I thought my son, Shane, would like to see. When I called up to him to come downstairs, his immediate response was, “Are you mad? Am I in trouble?” I asked him, “Shane, when am I ever mad at you?” and his response was, “You never really are.” “When do […]

Our Kids Are Falling Into Wells We Can See

In 1987 an 18 month old girl fell down a narrow 8 inch wide well while playing in her aunt’s backyard. I was 14 at the time, and I clearly remember the entire country holding its breath. Glued to televisions, our nation seemed to hit the pause button on life to cheer on the heroic rescue effort, […]

Masks Off: Tips to Help Your Child Through the Great Unmasking

Governor Murphy of New Jersey announced a couple of days ago that the mask mandate would be lifted on March 7th. It is an arbitrary date, and while I’m not certain, based purely on science (NOT my political views,) why the masks can’t come off today, I am very grateful there is finally a light at the end […]

Rethink Valentine’s Day

Maybe you aren’t a romantic and images of cupids and hearts illicit eye rolls and declarations about the capitalistic origin of Valentine’s Day. Maybe it is a product of greed and consumerism propagated by Hallmark, flower shops and manufacturers of cheaply made stuffed animals. But perhaps, it is an opportunity. Ask songwriters and they will tell you, […]