A version of the piece below was previously published in my monthly family column in The Fresno Bee on November 10, 2018. Nevermind that some people I know are now decorating for Christmas before Halloween is fully over… when November rolls around, two themes continue to endure for me — gratitude and tradition. (And no, I…
filosophies+parenting
Moms Matter on FOCUS TV: Pretty is not a bad thing.
How about we stop vilifying pretty. Appreciating our own beauty from the outside does not make us dirty/wrong/sexist on the inside. Hear me, daughters? Feeling pretty — from the inside out — is good. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. But Jill! You just went to Dove’s #GirlCollective event!? You know, the national movement to…
Birthday Bashes & Being Age Appropriate.
DISCLOSURE: I worked with Magic Jump Rentals for purposes of this kids birthday party ideas post. All experiences and opinions are mine… EIGHT. She’s 8. I am so impressed by her and proud of who she’s growing up to be. EIGHT! Ok, no more gushy mommy stuff. But… I remember being 8! It’s weird to…
Mean Kids? Blame the parents.
A shortened version of the piece below was previously published in The Fresno Bee on September 1, 2018. Back to school has been fabulous so far… except for that one mean little girl who keeps bossing her ‘friends’ around (I use that word ‘friend’ lightly) and prohibits them from playing together without rotating all sorts…
Teachers Are Not Our Co-Parents.
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…
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’…
