Are you living the adventure of raising boys? If you told a kid in your house today to take his hands out of his pants (or if you laugh as you remember doing so when your kids were younger), I’m guessing you have a son. If you balance the question “What sports does he play?” …
A peek inside the new must-have book for tween boys
Books for boys can be hard to choose. In my house of boys, I have good readers skill-wise, but they don’t actually enjoy reading or choose it as an activity. I’m always looking for books that will catch their attention and let them think positively about reading — like an adventure awaiting them when they …
Patience. I’ll be right there.
Sometimes, parenting three kids is so easy (Wait, what? Remind me that I said that). Other days, I get dizzy from my head turning this way and that way answering “What?” “Yes!” “Hold on a second!” “Don’t do that.” “In a minute.” “I said IN A MINUTE.” After yelling “I have only two eyes, but …
Screen time rules: How to occupy kids of different ages, no screens involved
Screen time: It’s like profanity in some houses, blasphemy in others. Here, it’s a way of life. It’s part of making it work as a working mom of three boys, trying to get through each day with some semblance of sanity. I remember the days when “let’s make a Hot Wheels car parade!” or “let’s …
Raising boys: What every mom needs to know
Raising boys, it becomes clear early on how much they love their penis. In case there was any doubt about it, check this out: I just said to my completely nudey, just-turned 4yo, “I will play with you only after you put your underwear on.” He replied, “Then I don’t want to play with you.” …
Pick your battles (and don’t choose these)
Pick your battles. I’ve heard that phrase so many times, and while it has always made sense to me, its meaning is magnified now that I’m a mom of three boys. Every minute in my M.O.B. house seems to teeter on the verge of rushing toward tenderness (awww, they’re cuddling) or destruction (do NOT throw …
Nature vs. Nurture: When Ordinary Happenings Become Full-Contact Sports (plus, a GIVEAWAY treat!)
Nature vs. nurture? Not even a question in my mind. I was enlightened when I became a Mother of Boys (M.O.B.). For anyone out there still debating nature vs. nurture, I know the answer. It’s nature, people! Nine years into being a M.O.B., I am still mind-blown by the otherwise ordinary activities that play out …
Things Parents Say: 15 (More) Things I Never Knew I’d Say While Raising Boys
Things parents say. We rolled our eyes at our parents while we were growing up, and now we say some of the same things they said to us. But we also say things we never could have predicted, never expected. Especially if you’re a M.O.B., like me. Here are 15 more* things I never knew …
8 Simple Ways to Ease Morning Chaos
Morning chaos: In my house, it’s three sons, a husband, and a wife scrambling to get ready for work and school and out the door by 7:15am. And then 7:16am arrives. Most days, that’s when I breathe a sigh of relief. I turn up the music like a triumphant victory song as I start my …
Helicopter Parenting: How to Land Your Aircraft for Good
“Helicopter parenting. Don’t be a helicopter parent.” Through the years, I’ve heard the phrase and the disdain that comes with it as other parents judge your completely “everything-must-be-perfect-for-my-baby” style of parenting. But I didn’t quite know what it really entailed until recently. I was at a playdate with three good friends of mine, each of …