When I brought my preemie home 20 years ago, I had almost no idea what I was doing. What I did know was that my son, born 5 weeks early after a harrowing pregnancy, was small, underweight and fragile. I knew he needed my vigilance and good care. Unfortunately, so many of my friends and … Continue reading Don’t Touch The Baby
My husband has no such attachment to the stake we claimed in this Jersey town 14 years ago. Now he throws around the “D” word— downsize—like it’s not a matter of if, but when. And I worry that our children will miss out by not having this home to return to, even long after they’ve … Continue reading It’s Almost Time For Us To Downsize And It Makes Me Sad
Junior year of high school is a pivotal time for our teens. When my daughter began 11th grade just weeks ago, I’ll admit I felt the same trepidation I experienced when my son, now a college sophomore, started his junior year in high school. Then I remembered this truth: While this third year of high … Continue reading Junior Year — Navigating Big Changes
When she’s almost seventeen she’ll come downstairs in her pajamas, hair in a messy bun, fresh pillow marks on her cheek, and you’ll swear you’ve never beheld a more dazzling creature in your entire life. When she’s almost seventeen she’ll want to share her love for reptiles with others, because she’s finally realized when you … Continue reading When She’s Almost Seventeen
We just dropped our son off at college, and on the long car ride home it occurred to me that he’s beginning his sophomore year, and I have no idea how his first year went. I do know he adjusted well to his new environment hundreds of miles away from home. He made some good … Continue reading My Son Is In College And I’m Learning The Most Important Grades Of His Life Were On His Kindergarten Report Card
I’m experiencing an unsettling sort of calm. Could it be the calm before the storm? I mean, this time last year I was a frenzy of anxious activity. Lists of things to purchase were scrawled on a rainbow hue of sticky notes that covered every surface of my kitchen. A teetering pile of plastic IKEA bags … Continue reading Sending Off A College Sophomore: It’s A Whole Different Ball Game
I bought my son a waffle maker. It dawned on me that whenever we stay in hotels my son always looks forward to the breakfast buffet. He happily fills his plate with heaping portions of eggs, potatoes, fruit and pastries. He relishes going back for seconds and even thirds. But he especially loves making his … Continue reading I Bought My Son A Waffle Maker…And Now I Hope He’ll Never Leave Me
Your teen finally decided on the 6-piece twin XL coordinated bedding set in Blue Ombré and is outfitted with enough mini string lights to illuminate the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. You’ve purchased so many packs of Command adhesive strips you may be credited with the company’s exceptional earnings growth this quarter. One by one, all … Continue reading Saying Goodbye: The Summer Send-Off
My son fell off his boosted board today. (A boosted board is an electric skateboard that reaches speeds of around 20 mph). I promise I won’t share any pictures of his wounds. Suffice it to say he is a bloody mess. When he showed me what had happened I immediately went into “mender mode,” just … Continue reading He Takes My Breath Away
There’s a boy somewhere under those covers. Or should I say a man? My son home for the summer, asleep in his childhood bed, having recently completed his freshman year of college. This time last year I was reading all the articles cautioning that we only have 18 summers with our children. 18 summers to … Continue reading Our Bonus Summer
