Today’s Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade ended the federal constitutional right to abortion. Each state now has the power to legalize or ban abortion. Depending on where you live, you may no longer have the right to make an informed decision about your body. This feels scary to me as a mom…
Parenting
How to Gift a Cell Phone Without Breaking the Bank
This post is sponsored by TextNow A first phone, or phone upgrade, often top the wish list for tweens and teens this time of year but often there’s disconnect between the phone they want and the actual costs. Many times our kids don’t realize the actual costs associated with the gift of a cell phone….
Why I’m Ok When My Teens Don’t Want to Hang Out with Me
This post is sponsored by the Center for Parent and Teen Communication “I’m heading back to school for a football game,” my 17-year-old daughter says, grabbing an apple with her free hand because the car keys are in the other. “I’ll be back around 9 pm. Unless we go out after. Then I’ll text you.”…
Looking Forward and Backwards as High School Graduation Approaches
This post is sponsored by the Center for Parent and Teen Communication When my kids were little, I looked forward to all the firsts, but as a parent of a high school senior, those milestones are dwindling. These days I find myself looking backward and forward, suffering whiplash because of how quickly time has passed….
7 Favorite Resources for Teaching Digital Safety to Kids
Every year I’m asked to speak to our school PTA about digital safety. Teaching digital safety to kids isn’t easy, especially when cell phones, laptops, and tablets provide convenience and connectivity that we need. We want our kids to be connected to us through their cell phones if they need us but that also means…
6 Conversations About Digital Safety Every Family Should Be Having
This post is sponsored by TextNow My day often starts with my two sleepy teens making their way to the breakfast table with phones in hand. They’ll catch up on TikTok or respond to texts or Snaps before it’s phones away as we eat. Sometimes one will send me a text with a link to…
3 Tips for Communicating with Your Child’s Teacher
This post is sponsored by TextNow After spending so long learning virtually, being back in school is a welcome change. Kids are adjusting to the new normal of in-person learning during a pandemic and settling into familiar routines. As parents, we’re relieved. We’re so glad our kids are in the presence of caring and capable…
How to Prepare for a Return to In-Person Learning
This post is sponsored by TextNow Back to school season is here and while we’re excited for the return to in-person learning, this year comes with a mix of emotions. Our kids may seem happy and well-adjusted but living and learning during the pandemic has been stressful. We can’t expect our kids to remember everything…
I Never Thought I Could Be a Minivan Mom Until I Became a Dog Mom
Confession: I’ve never been a minivan mom. We currently drive a station wagon that’s the same age as my daughter (17!) and a hybrid sedan. As we look to replace our aging station wagon, the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid hadn’t been a contender until recently. And I credit Goldie, our 2 year old Golden Retriever…
5 Ways to Teach Tweens to Say No to Underage Drinking
I’ll never forget the day that my 9 year old daughter asked me for a beer when we were at a ballgame. I could have been shocked that my elementary schooler tested me with such an outrageous question in public, but I turned it around into a teachable moment. Having the knowledge to provide a…
