• Last updated 3/21/10 by Mothering Editorial

Hi Naomi, This is a simple question that has me stumped. My 8-month old daughter hates to have her face wiped off in the mornings and after eating. She cries when I am wiping her face but stops the moment I stop doing it. She is afraid of water, so she doesn't take baths, and sometimes I think I "should" at least wipe her face, especially since it gets baby food all over it. Is it better to let her have a dirty face? I feel sad when she cries because I want her to have a clean face. Thank you for your help. Lauren  Dear Parent, You don’t say in your question if... read more

• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

It’s been a long week. A boy at my 10-year-old son’s school has been calling him “stupid,” “dummy,” and “idiot.” This would not be nice for any kid, but for my son these words hurt deeply. As I mentioned in my second post on this blog, Jacob is severely dyslexic. “Stupid” is a label he lives with every day. I hesitate to use the word dyslexic because most people do not have a clue what dyslexia is. I know I didn’t until five years ago when at the end of Jacob’s first grade his tutor told me she thought he was dyslexic. I thought being dyslexic meant... read more

• Last updated 6/27/11 by Mothering Editorial

By Nancy Humphrey CaseIssue 126, September/October 2004 The ground gives way easily to their efforts with tablespoons, plastic shovels, and long-handled hoes. The soil is sand, really—reclaimed Connecticut River bottom—and when they shiver it with broad spades or bare hands, they prospect through layer upon layer of time. I can almost hear them loose the thunder of long-gone dinosaurs, see their heads cock to the sound of the leather-shod steps of Pocumtuck warriors. The hole is laced with more tangible treasures, too. Animal bones, chips of Blue Willow china, a skein... read more

• Last updated 4/1/10 by Jennifer Margulis

The Kids (and the House) Ready for the Green Party. Etani (far right) got shy and decided not to perform his amazing pogo stick act.Party preparations yesterday were a bit tense. First 6-year-old Etani pulled the tablecloth off the table and dumped the spinach vegetable chips all over the floor. Twice. And his mother, who would prefer to write about herself in the third person in this instance, completely lost it and got furious and shrieked so loudly that even though said mother was in the hallway out of sight and not yelling at any particular child (though she wanted... read more

• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

College boy Reeve came home last night for a short visit (has a voice competition in Albuquerque today), ostensibly to see us, but I’m guessing the fact that we have two-week-old kittens here didn’t hurt. It’s wonderful to see him, or, more accurately, to hug him. In this day and age of Skype and email and Facebook and cell phones, we’re usually in pretty close touch. But electronic communication, though immediate, and definitely a good thing, is no substitute for everyday interaction, lovely moments of low-key hangout time, and the very real physical... read more

• Last updated 3/15/10 by Mothering Editorial

Our three-year-old son has adopted a new fascination with guns and swords, much to our surprise, since we have none in the house and we do not watch programs or read books that promote weapons of any kind. Sticks in the yard have become swords and shoes are guns, etc. I am impressed by his imaginative thinking, but concerned about his interest in weapons. We have discussed how weapons can hurt people very badly and how we are gentle people who don't want to hurt others. He agrees with these points but continues to talk about and play imaginatively with weapons. I often... read more

• Last updated 3/10/10 by Jennifer Margulis

Not politics. Just a goofy idea I have for a party. In honor of St Patrick’s Day and Earth Day, everyone brings a green dish to pass. We talk, we eat, and then we all do silly performances. (In Ashland the outdoor show before the Shakespeare plays begin is called “The Green Show” so the name of this party is an inside pun for us locals.) (Gently used) door prizes for guests who walk or bike. The idea’s been percolating for awhile but I haven’t been able to find a time to have the party. Actually, I’m insane to think of hosting a party. I can’t sleep. I am working... read more

• Last updated 4/16/10 by Mothering Editorial

Dear Naomi, At what age is it appropriate to enroll a child in lessons (eg. art, music, sports)? What are your concerns with structured lessons?  Dear Parent, The only way to know when to provide private lessons is to listen to the child. There is no proper “age;” There is only a particular child, a particular interest and a fitting teacher. If the child initiates taking lessons of his own free will (nagging for it as he would for candy) and is enthusiastic about every moment with the teacher and loves to practice what he learns, go for it only for as long as he... read more

• Last updated 3/8/10 by Jennifer Margulis

A version of this article was first published in the Ashland Daily Tidings. Baby Kaseem had a doctor’s appointment so it was time for me to take my three children home for dinner. Our visit was almost over but without thinking, because his daughter asked, our friends’ dad turned on some cartoons. My son scrambled onto the couch, settled in and looked happily at the TV screen. “We have to go sweetie,” I apologized. “We can’t stay and watch cartoons today.” Above the protests of his daughter, the dad went to shut off the TV. “Look,” he said. “The TV’s not working right.... read more

• Last updated 3/21/10 by Mothering Editorial

I read your book and it gave me a lot of good thoughts! But I am not sure what to do in that situation: My 4-year-old son does not want to play with other children. He never did it. He watches them, but if they approach, he gets frightened or angry, sometimes even rough. Until now, I thought, it would be best to let him do as he pleases and he seems to be happy. But I don't want to make him miss some important step in his social development. Perhaps there is something I should do? I have given him opportunities to meet other children since he was a baby. I would love... read more