Wanted: “He Is Such a Role Model for Men”
Over the weekend I was reading a story in the New York Times about Sheryl Sandberg, she of Facebook fame, Silicon Valley royalty, and—soon—more than a billion dollars. The article was about how Sandberg is [...]
The Hardest Decade in a Woman’s Life
The other week I had dinner with a dear friend and her daughter, who is 13. My friend’s daughter is interesting and sweet and charmingly quirky, and I’ve known her since she was born. [...]
The Drum Teacher Says I Remind Him of the Mother on “Modern Family.” Is This an Insult?
My middle son has a wonderful drum teacher. His name is Josh and he is a musician and seems to have boundless energy. He is also a lot of fun, and really appreciates Middle’s [...]
Five Battles That Aren’t Worth Fighting With Teenagers, and Five That Are
A highly subjective list, from this mother of three boys: It is not worth fighting over… 1) Wearing a winter coat instead of that flimsy springlike thing, even though it is 25 degrees. 2) [...]
Kindness Online Starts With You (and We’re Here to Help)
Have you ever had someone write something horrible online that was to you, for you, or about you? You know, the sort of thing that most people (either out of a sense of politeness [...]
What’s Better: To Start the Year With a Bang or a Whimper?
In other words, do you embrace your postholiday, back-to-work funk and stay in your pajamas for as long as possible, eating leftover cheese fondue and wondering how early in the day you can start [...]
A Beautiful New Holiday Tradition?
There is a museum fairly close to my house—the Bartow-Pell Museum—that always does fun kid stuff for Christmas. Last year our youngest and I went to see a puppet show; this year there was [...]
Do I Have to Refrigerate My Peanut Butter?
From the Pantry Head-Scratchers Department: For much of my life, my mother made me suffer through all-natural peanut butter. On apples, on celery, on toast, on sandwiches, you name it. It was “healthier,” “better [...]
The Turkey: To Brine or Not to Brine?
Before we get started, I have to confess that I bought a turkey that is labeled “extra lean.” Was that a mistake? This year my husband’s family is coming for Thanksgiving and I am [...]
The Hardware Store: A Love Story
Over the weekend my youngest and I went to the little hardware store in my town, because I needed lightbulbs. There are many, many other (and cheaper) places where we could buy lightbulbs, but [...]
