• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

From the New York Times today:   As the White House and Congress continue debating how best to provide coverage to tens of millions of Americans currently without health insurance, a new study (PDF) is meant to offer a stark reminder of why lawmakers should continue to try. Researchers from Harvard Medical School say the lack of coverage can be tied to about 45,000 deaths a year in the United States — a toll that is greater than the number of people who die each year from kidney disease. “If you extend coverage, you can save lives,” said Dr. Steffie Woolhandler,... read more

• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

By Jeremy Adam Smith I was once on the way to a wedding with two friends, Trey and Manny. We were all twenty years old. As we roared through a little down in the Florida panhandle, we passed a lone teenage girl walking on the sidewalk. Trey leaned out the shotgun window and hooted, "God, you have a great ass!" Trey leaned back grinning, but both Manny and I were shocked. I didn't say anything, and I probably never would have--but Manny spoke up. "Trey," he said, "did that make the world a better place or a worse place?" Trey's grin widened. "Hey, I... read more

• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

When you’re seeing a guy or gal who your closest friends suspect isn’t good for you, there will be one tough-love friend who will pull you aside and say, “It’s a toxic relationship, and you need to move on.” It’s a little different when we’re talking about toxic parents and family. For six years I’ve been trying to sort out the meaning of that one word family, and how it relates to me and my decisions to estrange myself from those who are my flesh and blood: the mother who carried me in her womb, the father who rocked me in his arms as a... read more

• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

The Washington Post reported in early October that 28 pregnant women have died of the swine flu and the CDC specifies that pregnant women are at higher risk of death if they catch the swine flu, especially in the third trimester. An article in the November 3, 2009 British newspaper, the Telegraph, reiterates that pregnant women are at a proportionately high risk of having severe health problems from the swine flu. My father-in-law, who reads these kinds of mainstream newspapers and Web sites, has been so disturbed by the increased risk to pregnant women that... read more

• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

One thing that usually helps when the baby wakes me up in the middle of the night and I can’t go back to sleep is spending some quality time (eh hem) with myself. Sex works even better, but when it’s 2:00 a.m. I’m hesitant to wake James because I feel like at least one of us should get some uninterrupted sleep so we’re not both total wrecks in the morning. Kimberly Ford, author of Hump Which brings me to the subject of sex in general. Which brings me to Kimberly Ford, a writer and a friend who is also an expert on sex. Ford’s book Hump: True... read more

• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

While much of the rest of the country is experiencing frigid temperatures and snow storms, Ashland, Oregon has been balmy this past week: windy but mild, highs in the low 50s. My mother, who was visiting from Amherst, Massachusetts, was amazed every time she walked outside. “Oh this weather!” she’s been saying with a happy sigh. “You have no idea how lucky you are.” We are lucky to live in such a nice place. While it isn’t perfect, Ashland has the best of so many things: A nine-month-long theater festival, lots of outdoor recreation including a ski... read more

• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

Welcome to my blog on Mothering.com! It’s interesting, as a playwright and the founder of BOLD and The My Body Rocks Project, I have the pleasure of hearing tons of mothering stories, but rarely have I shared mine. Ironic, huh? Well, I’m thrilled that Peggy O’Mara invited me to share my journey with you here. I’m excited to share with you my “My Body Rocks!” mothering moments and mishaps. Yes, it’s a dance.  But one I’ve found is well worth the commitment. So here goes with my first post telling you about my recent weekend.  If you’re mothering in the snow... read more

• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

About six months ago I picked up Pema Chodron’s book When Things Fall Apart because – quite frankly – that was the story of my life for the past two years. We had moved nine times in five years, lost most of our money from our last move during which my husband was unemployed for seven months, we were engaged in an ugly moment with our school district to pay for my older son’s $30,000 special education school fees, we were in a rented house next door to college students who thought 2am was a great time to pack the house with a hundred people and blast Michael... read more

• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

When I was working for her (my first real design job* ), my friend and mentor Claudia taught me many things. But the one I probably refer to most often is this:The definition of perfection changes in relation to the amount of time remainingbefore a project is due.I’ve called on this precept many, many times in this deadline-oriented business of putting out a magazine.Here’s how it works.* * * * *Claudia: Laura, are you about done with those logos for the [insert client name here] presentation?Me (hesitantly): Um . . . I have some possibilities here but had hoped to get... read more

• Last updated 4/5/13 by Melanie Mayo

A great resource for parents and educators of teens and kids living on the spectrum.   By V.K. Harber   April is Autism Awareness Month and Tuesday was Autism Awareness Day. As a yoga teacher I have had the immense privilege of working with children of various ages who exist on the spectrum. It has been, without a doubt, the most rewarding aspect of my work and I am always so touched to see these kids connect in some way that I am told tends to elude them outside of their yoga (and other therapeutic) sessions.   I am not a clinician or an... read more