Parenting

Last week, my 13-year-old daughter hit me with some stunning news: "Mom," she said. "I'm going to try out for the school basketball team."

"Really?" I said. "You are?"

I know, I know...that's not exactly a supportive maternal reaction, is it? But you have to understand. My daughter is just under five feet tall -- not exactly what you'd consider basketball player stature. Read More

The role of being a stepparent has some inherent challenges. Read More

Going to college is easy, staying behind is hard, not just for parents.  And sometimes going to college isn't so easy.  But in the words of Bob Marley, "in this great future, you can't forget your past.  So dry your tears I say." Read More

A community-activist turned maternity-activist is trying to use her play to change the world. Read More

Remember last time?” asked Jason, as he let his line out behind the boat. I did. Here, we had seen the strangest sight: at the very end of the lake, violet hills and green pastures and scattered cattle and a little river running through the willows, a valley that seemed to recede from view as we approached. “The closer we get, the farther away it seems,” I had said to him. His eyes had grown wide..... Read More

Ok, maybe I am getting too old- but doesn't it seem that Levi Johnston is a little too young to be posing nude for Playgirl? I am not against ladies having eye candy; women like to fantasize about six packs and cute little butts in much the same way men ogle breasts and cute little butts. But still, shouldn't there be an age limit? Read More

There are two months out of the year I'm not too keen on living through. One is March, obviously, since that is the month in which my father committed suicide, a month that still, almost seven years later, smells the same, looks the same and all-around feels the same as that cold day in 2003. The other month is November; well, actually, it's more like a single day. November 21 is National Survivors of Suicide Day. Read More

Overlooked children may not be the apple of their parents' eyes, but these kids can be driven to be valued. Ted Kennedy is an example of an overlooked child whose life was driven by his desire to make his father proud, to carry on the family legacy of excellence. Kennedy worked hard to keep up with his revered siblings, bringing this ethos to his life in the Senate. Our nation is better for that. Read More

Would you stay in a bad marriage "for the kids" if you knew it was harming them? Read More