I have always coached my son that having fun is the most important part of any game, but I have found myself alongside other well-meaning parents getting swept away in the excitement and drama of the game — questioning the calls of referees and umpires, and critiquing the other team. When I step back, it’s easy to see how the momentum of the win can start to overshadow what’s really supposed to matter at this age — learning, development, skill-building and, most of all, fun.
Read MoreI usually try to approach most of life with a realistic but optimistic perspective. If someone asks how I'm doing, I'm usually quick to respond with "great," "doing really well" or "we're just so grateful." Sometimes I add in the latest cute story just for emphasis that we're all doing just fine.
But lately I haven't been feeling it.
In a recent conversation with a co-worker, she asked how I was and I just didn't have the energy to give the "sunny side" answer. Instead I said, "You know, I feel like I've been in a slump lately. Don't get me wrong, we're really fortunate, but some days are just hard right now."
The response I received was something of a sigh of relief. She shared that she'd been feeling the same way. By answering honestly, we were able to engage in a quick but powerful conversation where we shared what was bothering us, and offered emotional support. It was a moment of camaraderie and vulnerability that was needed and appreciated.
Read MoreAround the time my son started talking, the warnings of the "tween years" started swirling. Well-meaning friends who had older kids would say things like, "Enjoy this time. It won't be long before he's a tween and talking back to you." Or, "Enjoy the cuddles now because in a few years he won't want anything to do with you."
As a first-time mom of an only-child, these cautionary tales cut right through me as I looked at my sweet, loving little buddy.
Fast forward several years and that adorable, joyful, caring boy is now an 11-year-old tween. He and his stepsister, who is the same age, are smack dab between child and teen and, to be honest, this phase of parenting might be among my favorites.
Read More"I love it when you help me walk the dog." "Your laugh is the best!" "I appreciate it when you help me fold laundry." "I love being your stepmom!" "I love watching you play basketball."
These are just a few of the notes that are found on the outside of each of our kids' bedroom doors during the month of February.
Read MoreI try to find opportunities to acknowledge what's special about a day and bring some extra fun to our kids' week. We celebrate traditional holidays like St. Patrick's Day or April Fool's Day, but we also get a kick out of "May 4th" — also known as Star Wars Day — and newer holidays like Giving Tuesday, which is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
I recently discovered a new favorite holiday — "World Nutella Day," which happens to be today. This day may become a contender with Groundhog Day for my all-time favorite day of the year.
Read MoreRecently, as I watched my son practice his piano lesson, I was overcome with a feeling of wanting to take the piano back up again. Is that something I can actually do? I’m a mom, and I spend most of my time now supporting our kids’ activities, but what about my own hobbies?
Read MoreChristmas is over, the presents are opened, and it feels like we’ve already done everything fun this season has to offer. Every year when the holidays are over, the winter blues seem to come on fast, and I start to dread the inevitable cry of “I’m bored.”
This year, knowing that winter with three elementary-aged kids can get long, we created a family winter season "bucket list" of activities that will hopefully keep us going until at least March or April. Together we created a list that has everyone excited about the cold weather.
To read more and see our full list, visit the full article on Momaha.com.
Read MoreFor nearly 10 years, I've tried to find balance everywhere in my life. I've tried to strike the "right" balance between working hard and being present with my family. I've tried to ignore my work email while at home at night and not answer any personal calls during the day. In the end, I find myself sidestepping my own rules. Sadly, chasing after the ideal of balance has left me feeling like I've failed over and over again.
After a particularly trying day recently — where I dropped the ball at work and came home without the remaining supplies needed for my kiddo's half-finished science project — it dawned on me that maybe balance was an illusion. Maybe it's not possible to create a life in which the scales of a meaningful career and a beautiful, healthy, happy family are in perfect harmony all the time.
And then I thought: "Maybe I could focus on learning to juggle instead."
After all, juggling is more fluid and evokes an image of someone guiding balls through the air. Sometimes you just have to juggle one ball at a time; sometimes it's multiple balls. Often times, the balls are in hand, but at other times they are set aside to be added later. It's not uncommon to drop balls on the floor.
Read MoreThanksgiving and Christmas are supposed to be warm, joyful, magical, spirited and sparkly. They’re all about family. But can it really be that way in a new version of a family? Those first couple of years after divorce, I wondered, “Can it be Christmas if you’re not with all the people you love on December 25"?
Read More
