Wednesday, January 23, 2013
With Armstrong's doping admission, it was a reminder that even seemingly the perfect role model can let you down.
Like most of America, I have to admit to watching at least some of Lance Armstrong’s interview with Oprah last week. I’ve seen bits and pieces replayed on the news and watched videos of the interview on various websites around the internet. Perhaps the most poignant moment for me was when Armstrong described the pain he felt while admitting to “doping” to his 13-year-old son. As Armstrong explained, it was when he heard his oldest son, Luke, defending him that he knew he had to admit what he had done to him. Without a doubt that was likely the moment that Armstrong won over the hearts of many viewers but mine simply isn’t one of them. Like Armstrong I have a 13-year-old son and can certainly understand how difficult that sort of …
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Parents love to spoil their kids, but how much is too much?
Yesterday, when speaking to a friend, an interesting subject came up. She had been reading updates on Facebook and one of her friends had posed a question that she found a little odd. It seems that this mom was looking to find out how many gifts other families were leaving under the Christmas tree for their children. Upon reading further she found that a number of people had chimed in and basically given counts on what their kids would be getting for the holiday. I have to admit that, like her, I found the whole post just a bit disconcerting. Yes, we all like to spoil our children on Christmas. We want to see their faces light up when the open gifts and, often, are just as excited as they are. What I don’t understand, however, is taking …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Columnist Christine Mackenzie gets a reminder of what it's like to be 1-on-1 with a toddler.
Let’s face the facts; motherhood is not an easy job. The take home pay is non-existent, the hours are grueling and, frankly, the benefits package doesn’t always seem to measure up. No two stages of motherhood are alike and, sometimes, it can seem like the toughest job on earth. As the mom of a 13-year-old I sometimes look at old pictures and wonder how my son could possibly be a teenager already. While some moms I know long for their kids to be babies again I have to admit that I have enjoyed watching my son grow into a self-sufficient and independent young man. Unlike a lot of moms that I know I don’t spend a lot of time longing for the days when he relied on me completely. To be perfectly honest I’m not even sure that, after all this …
Thursday, October 25, 2012
In the blink of an eye, your baby is suddenly a teenager. So how do you handle it?
Moms always comment how fast time flies as we raise our children and, this week, I can truly vouch for that. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I find that I am the mother of a 13-year-old boy. Yes, it happened, my son went and had a birthday and officially crossed the line to being a teenager. Looking back I’m not truly sure how it happened. It seems like just yesterday I was expecting a baby and, today, that baby is 13 years old. So, I’ve had all these years to prepare myself, but the question remains. Am I really ready for the teenage years? I guess the best answer comes in the form of yet another question. Looking back was I even ready for the first 13 years? Motherhood isn’t the type of job that comes with a manual. Sure there are all sorts…
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Stick to that resolution to save money in 2012 with these cost-cutting tips for parents.
Even though it’s a brand new year, most of our own personal economic situations haven’t changed. That paycheck, mortgage payment, and gallon of milk price tag are the same as they were in December. As much as we’d all like a nice, fresh start on paying bills and saving money, it’s hard to make big changes when so much is beyond our control. I mean, you might be able to get a deal on diapers depending on where you shop, but they’re still expensive. If you made a big promise to yourself to cut your spending—whether it’s to save for a specific purpose, build a nest egg, or just add to your little one’s college savings—you might be looking for some easy ways to do this. I know I can always afford to take advice on how to save some money on …
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
This year, make a resolution that helps your whole family.
With the new year just around the corner, quite literally, I found myself in a reflective mood when I sat down to write this week’s column. New Year’s Resolutions were on my mind, as they may be on yours as well. In the past, I’ve promised myself many efforts at self-improvement, from losing weight to stressing less. But this year, I thought I’d think less about myself and more about how I can impact my family. . I mean, nobody is perfect. And the new year gives us the perfect excuse to think about these ways we aren’t perfect in a constructive way. I found myself wondering if there are resolutions I can make that help me to be a better parent and person. Turns out, once I got thinking about it, I found lots of places to focus my …
Monday, January 2, 2012
Exploring the differences in parenting from the first year to the second.
Coming up on my son Desmond’s second birthday, I’ve been fondly reflecting on this past year. It’s amazing how far we’ve come. This time last year he was just crawling, had a handful of definable words, and was still eating soft foods. Now he’s running everywhere, talking in full sentences, and eating everything in sight. From baby to little man in the blink of an eye. Over this holiday vacation I had the pleasure of watching my 5-month old nephew for a couple of days. The experience was full of flashbacks to baby-hood. That first year came back to me like it was yesterday. It was not that long ago, after all, and yet it feels like a century. It’s mind-boggling how quickly and dramatically they grow. And with every new development comes a …
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Don't take risks at home with a toddler on the loose.
Toddlers are leaps and bounds away from their younger baby selves… and if you’re not careful, your toddler may be cleverer than you give him credit for. I’ve been victimized by one such clever toddler on many occasions. But once I got the hang of it, I’ve gradually begun toddler-proofing our home. I can’t make everything inaccessible (or invisible), but I’m doing my best! As I continue to try to think one step ahead of my one-girl wrecking crew, I’ve found a number of helpful resources and tips online (of course). Here’s what I can tell you about properly toddler-proofing your home. Think It Through Take a good look around your home and find these items and other dangers. Try to think like your little one and locate all the shiny, weird-…
Monday, December 26, 2011
Goals for mom and dad in 2012
As we come to the end of 2011, most people take time to reflect upon the year and consider positive changes going forward. Eating healthier and exercising more are always in the back of my mind, but I thought I would also set some realistic resolutions around parenting. These are my hopes for me, my son, and my family in the new year. Unplug: This applies to everyone in our household. Many times during a typical day I find that I will have my laptop open, while my husband is on his smart phone and my son sits in front of the TV. These things are all okay in moderation, but it’s easy to get sucked down the rabbit hole of technology. We already resolved a few months ago that phones are not allowed at the dinner table. Going forward we will …
Monday, December 19, 2011
Suggestions for cutting through the chaos of the season.
I am one of those annoyingly festive people who actually loves this time of year. But there does come a time in the middle of filling out holiday cards, baking cookies, decorating the house, checking lists, and shopping for gifts when it all becomes a bit overwhelming. There are ways to simplify this season so that we’re not running ourselves ragged by the time New Years comes along. Cut down on travel: This may be an unavoidable necessity if you live far from family. But while your kids are young, you may want to reconsider the need. Travelling with little ones is always a hassle. Add in the chaos and expenses of the holidays, and it makes it much more complicated. Consider staying close to home and keeping it low key, with the promise …
