If Corrupting My Child Is Wrong, I Don’t Wanna Be Right
We’re the parents who allowed our 12-year old daughter to watch two R-rated movies. Is it my imagination, or have our phones stopped ringing
Tag: good parenting
What Happened When I Forced my Daughter into the Ocean
Bad Parenting 101 The day was perfect for boogie boarding at the beach. The tubes were hollow, the pits weren’t dropping, there weren’t any bombs
7 Surprising Things My Mom Did!
Mother Daughter Relationships: I was raised in the 70s era of the skyrocketing divorce rate (key parties?) and the afternoon martini cart (reference any
The Exquisite Maternal Martyr
“Alright fine, let’s just go! No one wants to be here anyway, so let’s just go home and all get on our electronic devices in
10 Ways Having Kids Changed My Life
When the nurse placed my first swaddled newborn on my chest right after I gave birth, I believe the first words out of my mouth
Experts Say, “Don’t Tell Your Daughter She’s Pretty!”
There’s a trend in parenting to compliment our children’s abilities rather than their appearance. The lead in a recent Daily Telegraph article states: “Parents should stop
Sex and Drugs “To Don’t” List For Teenagers
My kids don’t do what I say. Especially in the morning before school (TMBS). In TMBS they become spaced-out love children in the Haight
The Thing That Put This Soccer Mom In Her Place
I’ve been reveling in some bragging rights about my daughter Bridget’s prowess as a soccer goalie. She made the All-Star team this year and
The Post In Which I Fail As A Mother
Me to Bridget (aged 9) when I fail as a mother: Honey, I’m sorry I lost it with daddy in front of you today.
Traveling With Kids in Paris
Shhh. I’m hiding in an internet cafe on Rue Thouin across the street from the apartment we’re renting on the Left Bank in the Latin
In Defense of a Commercial Christmas
We Collearys are not a religious people. Henry’s a recovering Catholic. I was raised Mormon and love them dearly, but simply could not commit to
My Name Is Tom
Last week I picked my daughters and a friend of theirs up from school. We made a pitstop at our favorite taco truck in
The Surprising Thing That Happened When I Parented Someone Else’s Child?
When other people’s children are in my care I treat them like they’re mine. I didn’t used to do this, but I’ve had kids
What Happened When I Said “No” To My Daughter
My daughters’ snuggles are my form of crack. On a biochemical level, my body sinks into a deeper calm when I hold them. And it
The Drugs Talk With My 11-Year old
Middle school started on Tuesday. Would there be gang bangers? Mean girls? Nurse Ratched-style teachers? One-eyed drug dealers? Should I stop watching CNN? My daughter
5 Reasons Traveling With Your Kids May Keep Them Off Drugs: Ireland Photos
We travel all over with our kids. That’s where all and any extra cash goes. We’ve taken them to Hawaii, Seattle, Toronto, The Grand Canyon, San
My Kids Aren’t Me
I always think my kids will like the things I like. I was a water baby. I lived in the ocean as a kid,
Little Girl Movie Star Parties Freaked Me Out. Not Anymore!
I’ve been Professor McGonegle. I’ve been Medusa. And now I’ve been Makeup-Artist-to-the-Stars, Gilda. I blame my myriad incarnations on my daughter Bridget, because she
Castrating an Unwitting Softball Commissioner
A child, who shall remain nameless — (So if you think you know which child she is, you don’t!) came home tonight from her
Talking to Kids About Sex
When I was a kid my parents didn’t talk to me about sex. At eight, when I asked my mom what a condom was,
When Is It TMI For Kids?
Bridget came home the other day and said, “Mommy, I love third grade.” What luck! Thought I. She must love her teacher, unlike me
5 Things Not To Do In Front Of Your Daughters
Clare is 10, Bridget is 8 They still climb in bed with us in the morning. They still want to snuggle in front of
Does It Really Matter Whose Kid Is Smarter?
My kids are smart. They have a genetic pre-disposition. I was smart. Their dad was smart. We had high GPAs. We had high SATs.
Why I Stopped Pushing “Pretty” on My Daughter
My 10-year-old daughter Clare only likes to wear clothes from the boy’s section. Preferably a boxy, shapeless t-shirt with pictures of Spiderman or any other superhero
The Puberty Video’s at the End of the Year
Puberty is coming to my house. I have a fifth grader and the puberty video’s at the end of the year. But already things
