Category Archives for Family
Marybeth: Plan ahead to oppose cohabiting
To: Marybeth From: Opposed to cohabiting Can you offer any advice for my young adult daughters about why not to … Continue reading
Lori: Peonies help remember and honor
The peonies are slightly behind schedule for Memorial Day. I worry about such things, not because I want to, but … Continue reading
Marybeth: Some parents don’t always know best
To: Marybeth From: Not Crazy About Carpools This question might be filed under, “What are these people thinking?” My high … Continue reading
Marybeth: A tactful response to untactful garb
To: Marybeth From: Irritated Aunt My 13-year-old son will be confirmed in a solemn ceremony at our church. We have … Continue reading
Marybeth: A Mother’s Life (My mother’s, that is!)
Recently, my niece, Grace, a student at DePaul University, asked my parents to participate in a class project with her … Continue reading
Sarah: Who’s a Savant?
I recently read an article by Adam Piore about savant syndrome, that rare and mysterious affliction in which someone suffers some … Continue reading
Lori: Gift sweeps mom off her feet
I received a great Mother’s Day gift last year. We were just about to cut into a beautiful cake topped with … Continue reading
Marybeth: Violent video games create unhealthy emotions
To: Marybeth From: Nonviolent Video Mom My son wants to play the same video games his friends play, but I’m … Continue reading
Marybeth: Parental responsibility trumps child’s privacy
To: Marybeth From: Message-reading Mom My daughter’s smartphone buzzed when she was out of the room. I picked it up … Continue reading
Regina: April is “Alcohol Awareness Month”
April is Alcohol Awareness Month founded by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence 27 years ago. The objective … Continue reading
Marybeth: Parents need time alone as a couple
To: Marybeth From: Dad is Desperate for a Date My husband says we should have “date nights” without our three … Continue reading
Lori: All a twitter over tweeting
The husband joined Twitter. I coached him. It was like standing behind someone who is deathly afraid of water and … Continue reading
Marybeth: New book celebrates our “feminine genius”
I get dozens of books from publishing houses asking me to read and review their titles. As an author myself, … Continue reading
Marybeth: Sullen tween daughter need not be the norm
To: Marybeth From: Preteen Parent How do I survive a moody 12-year-old daughter without damaging our relationship (or killing her)? … Continue reading
Marybeth: Popular music presents serious problems
If you’re concerned that the lyrics being piped into your children’s headphones are inappropriate — or even dangerous — you’re … Continue reading
Mary: My Daughter is Not a Princess. Or a Tom-Boy.
The minute my daughter made her appearance (fourth child with three older brothers), I was inundated with predictions as to whether … Continue reading