What it is:  To turn something over to your child means two things:

1. Your child feels ready for full authority over something.
2. You agree.

Why it’s important:  Sooner than you think you won’t have a choice.  Your child will claim his right to take charge of his life.  Best to practice early:

The Hardest Job EVER!

Raising a family is, by far, the hardest job I’ve ever had.  I had no idea it would be harder than negotiating multi-million dollar contracts for a commercial airline or starting three different businesses—all were tough but in comparison to raising 2 boys, they were cake-walks.  I thought motherhood would be joyful, but it sucked.  Surely, I was doing something wrong.  

The topic came up with talking to one of my guy friends recently.  He was voicing his concerns about his wife’s lack of interest in the bedroom. I am sure that it is a concern that a high percentage of men have about women  Knowing that they have kids and she works, I explained that from my perspective it could be a phase because of all of the responsibility that is currently placed on her shoulders. I let him know that whe

I read this article on Monday by Catherine Pearson of HuffPost Parents entitled “Children’s TV Exposure Reaches ‘Startling’ Levels, Study Finds” and expected more of what I had already read in various parenting, education, and child psychology books: Too much television isn’t good for kids. Why?

I totally get that fitting your workouts in is easily pushed aside for much more romantic notions, such as folding mountains of laundry or packing lunches in an assembly line fashion. But I have three words for you that won't let you make excuses any more - "Twelve Minute Madness!"

There's ABSOLUTELY NO REASON {ahem, excuse} that you could possibly give me that would make me think, "oh, this poor girl has no time to work out." That's right. NONE.

New moms and pregnant women out there know firsthand about intense cravings. Sometimes the need for something hits you so hard it’s all you can focus on. During my first pregnancy, all I wanted was pizza and ice cream. Pretty much anything else was out of the question for the first five months, and then I slowly started branching out to lasagna and frozen yogurt (daring, I know).

"No adults allowed," read the signs at NYC playgrounds, "unless accompanied  by a child."  Seeing these notices, I'm always struck by the thought that playgrounds aren't the only wonderful places children bring the  grown-ups who love them:  Your infant curls into your shoulder, breath soft on your neck. Your two-year-old picks up a golden maple leaf and clutches it for the rest of the day. Your four-year-old dawdles and stares at the homeless man on the sidewalk as you speed up your pace.  Children invite parents into a different world.

My first trip back as a road warrior since maternity leave was slightly foggy and a little more than chaotic. I had high hopes that I would get on a plane, read a book and relax without hearing “Mommy!” or the crying of my newborn. But as I packed for my trip, I realized that I didn’t want to take the precious iPad away from my husband or son, for their own sanity sake! I didn’t want to buy a book to take with me, because that is just more to carry. So when I left that house around 5:45 am on Tuesday, I left the iPad lying beside my husband in bed so my son could easily find it.

Yes, I realize that this is an online forum for mom, which makes it a “mom group.” I’m not opposed to spending time with you all and discussing topics of significance to us as working mothers. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy the camaraderie we share here. I just think the dynamic would change if we committed to forming a mom group that met face-to-face for coffee on a weekly basis. I would have to say no to that.

I have one week left before my maternity leave is over. I am not sure if my life is about to get a lot more complicated or possibly a lot less complicated. I chose to take my 4 year old out of daycare for the month of July to spend the summer with the new baby and me while I was out.  I did this to save money and also enjoy the summer. I was taking him out of preschool to go to the pool or spend time with family that was in town.