Backpacks? Check. New shoes? Check. Traditional picture on our doorstep? Check. Back to school brought excitement and earlier bedtimes back to our house — it’s also brought me concern about how many of us semi-expect our teachers act as our co-parents inside the classroom. Last school year, a variety of California school districts implemented new…
filosophies+parenting
When Vacations Turn Hard: Family Traditions After Loss.
A version of the piece below was previously published in The Fresno Bee on August 4, 2018. “Nothing worth doing is ever easy…” Easy to say, hard to actually DO. Growing up, I’d rely on this cliche to get me through challenges in school and career. Nevermind how hard it might but, just do it,…
Screw Summer Camps. (Not sorry.)
A version of the piece below was previously published in The Fresno Bee on July 7, 2018. Sorry summer camps, but screw you. I’m opting out this year. Not out of hate, but out of love. Love for myself, love for my kids, love for not paying ridiculous arm-and-leg prices for one week of ‘fun’…
Self-Care for Families: Sitting Out Doesn’t Make Us Smaller.
A version of the piece below was previously published in The Fresno Bee on June 1, 2018. The big parenting lesson I’m having a hard time living up to? Self-care for families sometimes means sitting out — it doesn’t make us smaller sometimes it must happen even if we resist it. Not so easy when…
Parenting: Prom Season Means Tigers In the Gym? C’mon. {VIDEO}
Parenting these days means all sorts of crazy. Like getting tigers to hang out in the school gym while a bunch of 17 year old teenagers enjoy their prom. C’mon, people. I’m not sure when or why parties for kids these days have gone over-the-top, but I’m personally sick of it. On HLN’s Michaela, we…
Mother’s Day: Honor It, Even If She’s Not Here.
A version of the piece below was previously published in The Fresno Bee on May 5, 2018. It’s been a freakin’ weird week. (I’d drop the real F-bomb here but I don’t want it totally screw with my website’s SEO — does that still happen on the internet if you stick profanity in your posts?)…
40 Frank Facts Learned in 40 Years.
Based on recent personal experience, I can frankly vouch that having a 40th birthday is FAB. You know it. I know it. Hooray for fabulous. I used to fear the big four-oh, but I now choose to welcome it. I am grateful for it. I celebrate it. I relish it. I bungeed into my big…
