• Last updated 1/7/13 by Melanie Mayo

When the fabulous Tracy Mayor pitched her feature on parenting after an apocalypse, I was couldn’t wrap my head around it. As much as I love her writing (and postapocalyptic fiction like The Hunger Games series and Oryx and Crake), what would it be? A series of interviews with assorted conspiracy theorists? An in-depth look at all the stuff you can do with duct tape and batteries? Last week, the East Coast saw an earthquake and a hurricane. Tracy’s feature was very much on my mind. “What if we’re raising our kids to succeed in a George Jetson kind of... read more

• Last updated 1/7/13 by Cynthia Mosher

…to hang on to at least some of the many thousands of drawings and paintings your child will make over the next few years. Right now it might seem like the artwork is no big deal, there’s so much of it—but I’m over here in your future, telling you that these drawings will become real treasures for you down the road! And a tip: After a drawing is finished, ask your child to tell you what’s happening in the picture and write it on the artwork itself. Then date it. And put it somewhere safe (after some time on the fridge, of course!).   Above: A... read more

• Last updated 10/18/12 by AdinaL

Oh, Vero Beach, Florida: we meet again. My family and I are on our annual pilgrimage to see my in-laws. It’s a particular sort of vacation, one that gives you one type of freedom (kiddo with the grandparents while a do-not-disturb sign hangs on the hotel room door in the middle of the afternoon, if you catch my drift) while robbing you of another (dinner is at Grandma’s—you will have the Cornish game hen). My husband’s family has been coming to Vero Beach since 1918. My son Caleb is the sixth generation to come here. Which makes me connected to the... read more

• Last updated 1/11/13 by Melanie Mayo

By Jessica Williams, www.LoveParentingLA.com   I had a lot on my mind this morning and some of it threatens my equilibrium and presents as unequivocally stressful. And, despite the fact that there are more pressing problems worldwide, and that there are many blessings to be counted on a daily level, in my micro world, there is a lot going on and this morning it was getting the better of me, causing me to be distracted and on edge.   And, so, I humbly asked my three children, ages two, five and seven, if they might see to it to... read more

• Last updated 1/15/13 by Cynthia Mosher

Here is a go-to list to empower children when a parent has to leave town. Many parents have to leave town routinely for work. Many children exhibit clinginess, withdrawl or acting-out behaviors in response to feeling out of control of this situation. Creating ritual around this event can help children process their emotions and feel safe. These tangible exercises serve to give children a sense of control over the powerlessness they may feel. These rituals give the child something to look forward to whenever a parent gets ready to leave... read more

• Last updated 1/15/13 by Cynthia Mosher

By Sarah Juliusson of www.MamaRenew.ca – Find Mama Renew on Facebook. Did I do the right thing?   I posted yesterday about my experience stopping a drunk driver, exploring not only the experience, but also my struggle in the days afterward regarding the impact on my children who were left to watch without the support they deserved in that moment. “They saw it all – they saw both their parents step forward and take responsibility, and they saw both their parents being beaten by a woman who was too drunk to listen. They’re old enough to remember this... read more

• Last updated 1/15/13 by Cynthia Mosher

By Sarah Juliusson of www.MamaRenew.ca – Find Mama Renew on Facebook. Late Saturday night my mama bear emerged. We had just finished a glorious day and evening at a folk festival, returning home far after bedtime with two tired children in arms. While waiting for the shuttle a drunk woman arrived, muttering and stumbling about. Out came the car keys for her car, strangely parked just there, and I stood stunned that with over 20 bystanders, nobody was taking action. A moment’s hesitation as she got in, and then mama bear arrived. Stepping boldly forward... read more

• Last updated 1/15/13 by Cynthia Mosher

I have been wondering where I fit in to this Mothering.com bloggesphere. I had been invited based on previously written pieces of work and now here I sit on the precipice of unknowns pondering what part of myself to share. I am sure of myself as a writer but have found myself paying much closer attention to the other posts here and to blogs in general.  What is ‘My Voice’, I wonder? What ‘me’ do I want to share? I am a mother but do I qualify as enough (of an attachment – vegan – baby-wearing – earth-mother) to be here? No. No, you don’t my little voice... read more

• Last updated 1/15/13 by Cynthia Mosher

Our friend, Ron, and his two boys; a great dad! A mother wrote into Mothering.com’s Ask The Expert about her son’s preference for his father. Enjoy this excerpt about supporting the father/son bond. Dear Friend, I am sorry for your sorrow. It is so hard not to take this personally as a mother! I would take comfort from the fact that your son prefers you dad “when you are there,” by which I could infer that you son will accept comfort and company from you when his father is not an option. Almost every son goes through a huge “daddy... read more

• Last updated 10/18/12 by AdinaL

Thank you to Terra Trevor, author of Pushing up the Sky: A Mother’s Story, for this guest post. An armload of bulgogi covers the grill and a circle of friends surround the barbecue. Everyone has a pair of chopsticks in hand and turn slices of the sizzling beef. A picnic table is laden with platters of pindaettok, mandu, heaping bowls of kimchi, chap chae, and romaine lettuce leaves with red bean sauce for dipping. There is plenty of sliced watermelon of course, and three rice cookers stand ready in a row. There is laughter around the table. After... read more