I am not a psychologist… but I’m married to one. With all the hoopla over the TIME Magazine Cover (most of it having little to do with the actual content of the story – why don’t people read before they start pontificating), the Mommy Wars it’s kind of stirring, the controversy of the topic and the horror some people feel that a young, beautiful Mom (our ‘own’ Jamie Lynne) would pose for such a provocative photo… I went to my …
The definition of Stepmother is “a woman that your father marries after his marriage to or relationship with your mother has ended.” Ouch! I’ve been “that woman” aka Stepmother for the past 13 years. Let me tell you, it can be one of the most challenging jobs there is. It is harder than motherhood in a lot of ways. A lot of little girls grow up saying I can’t wait to be a Mom. Nobody grows up saying, I can’t wait …
Last year I shared this with my son who was learning about César Chávez in school. He brought it to his class to ‘share.’ He was so proud to know his grandmother (who he sadly never met) had walked with César Chávez with me in tow. From helping a neighbor who was ill to hosting picnics for Odyssey House (a drug rehab home in Newark, NJ) to a 23 year letter writing campaign to the Soviet government in the name of …
It was Wednesday afternoon, and I had just walked into the door after picking up Tyler from preschool. We were walking into the kitchen, to start making lunch when the telephone rang. Our home phone barely ever rings anymore since we now mostly use our cellphones. I hardly ever answer it to avoid the salesperson on the other line, but for some strange reason – I picked it up. When I answered it there, was a little girl on the …
I’ve struggled with the term “parental involvement” for years. My girls are currently in 6th and 9th grade, and every year, I have to ask myself that question again (and again). Like every other parent, I’ve heard ad nausea how integral parental involvement is in our children’s education. But it’s rare that anyone actually tells us what that means. As a single, working mom, I’ve never been able to sign up to help in the classroom or at lunch. Every …
What decisions have you made to help their children do better in their education? Pay for private school? Homeschooling? Tutoring? Extra homework? Now, have any of your decisions with your children’s education helped ensure they were more mature than their classmates? Smarter? Bigger? Maybe even more popular? ‘Redshirting’ has always been known as a term used for athletes, to hold them out of varsity competition to extend their eligibility. Now it is gaining popularity with parents of preschoolers. More and more parents are …
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America! I was never a Girl Scout, although I desperately wanted to be one when I was about 10 years old. Back then, however, my only intention was to be the one who controlled the cookies. Although my cookie fixation has unfortunately remained firmly intact, my preconceived notions about the Girl Scouts and what they represent, have changed considerably. Until recently, I thought that the Girl Scouts were simply an after-school club …
“Mommy, I hope we get to do the piggy race again today.” And so do I. Because who doesn’t love a shuttle run involving squeaky piggies? Or watching a bunch of four and five year-olds try to score a goal or run the bases? It’s like Who’s On First? in the best way possible. I get to watch my son do all of these things through Lionheart Fitness Kids, an LA based sports program for kids ages three and up. …
LAUSD has announced that they will be reviewing the homework policy. Superintendent John Deasy has said he wants to hear from parents, so here’s your chance! Take this survey that will be presented to the Superintendent of Instruction. It’s short, but there are plenty of opportunities to add your unique experiences and opinions. Between my two daughters (in middle school and high school), they have 17 classes. I spend three hours on the road every day getting the girls to …
Let me begin this story by saying that I have a very strong opinion about people who use words that refer to a woman’s vagina as an insult. I have heard them in English and Spanish. Not only does it refer to the vagina but includes one’s mother. What is that all about? You know the words: mother f*****, cu**, hija de **** and the famous “pussy.” For some reason, boys to men think it is ok to use the …
