Because I'm the Mom

How mothering pervades all relationships in life.

Pamela Cytrynbaum is on the faculty at Oregon State University's new media communications department. See full bio

Because I'm the Mom

January 2, 2010

Live the questions now

This was posted in my brother's office. It is, I imagine, precisely what he would say to me about living through his death. If I made resolutions, this would be mine: Read More

December 1, 2009

Snark Attack! Beware the "Mommy Drive-by"

No, I don't "love" it. I think it is a total invasion of privacy for you to
be even going through your daughter's bookbag. How dare you? You get nothing
good out of snooping. I think this is totally her business and you should
stay out of it. She'll learn her way what is right or wrong by experience.
That's how we learn, after all. Read More

November 30, 2009

The Frenemy Files: What the Mean Girls Know

Third grade has opened up a fresh field of frenemy hell for my daughter, as well as a world of heartbreakingly wonderful possibilities. The emotional infrastructure, the mazes and hierarchies in Girl World group dynamics are simply breathtaking. Read More

October 21, 2009

Living with The Great Ache

Since July 11, my brother's wife and I have talked every night before we go to sleep (that is to say, before I chemically induce sleep). For the first month after my brother's death, her beloved husband's death, we didn't really speak. We just sat and cried on the phone, 2000 miles dividing us but a gaping pit of pain uniting us. Read More

October 18, 2009

BFF or Toxic Mess? Big life events reveal strengths and faultlines in female friendships

It's always tough being the first friend in your best-gal-group to make one of life's big leaps. First one to get engaged, move away, get married, get pregnant. Among women friends, even though this is all good news, you're breaking a certain code. Frankly, you're wrecking things irrevocably because now they will never be the same. Read More

October 17, 2009

Fighting for our Daughters

Here are a few crucial weapons for your arsenal in the War on our Daughters' Self Esteem. It's only a quick partial list. There is much, much more. I'll keep posting, and would love to get your recommendations.

Daughters.com
http://www.daughters.com/ Read More

October 2, 2009

Pre-Tween Silent Scream: Watching Your Daughter's Self-Esteem Plummet

It's a war on our daughters.

September 29, 2009

Running from the human race

I was one of 874 runners in a 5K this weekend.
I'm not really a runner. I mean, I run. Slowly. Very. Very. Slowly. Like as slow as the guy, say, who picks up the poop behind the tortoise. And I run every day alone. Read More

September 6, 2009

It's here

The letter from the Gift of Hope organ donation organization arrived. White 8 by 11. Thick, like the ones you got when you knew you'd been accepted by a college. Read More

August 31, 2009