I decided to make some holiday magic this past weekend. My daughter and I got a tree. We put up some lights. Listened to Christmas tunes. Danced a bit. But I have to admit, I’ve been having a tough time lately. I’ve been thinking about my family holiday traditions when I was a kid. And… Read More The Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present
Theoretically, fall and winter holidays are a time of celebration, gratitude, generosity and togetherness. The reality is that somewhere along the way, much of our spirit of giving got up and went, leaving the holidays a f*cking nightmare for many.… Read More Attitude of Gratitude
I know once you read this Christmas will have passed, Hanukkah will be on the 5th day, and a sense of normalcy will probably have returned to most of your lives. Right now, as I’m writing this, it is December 22nd and holiday fever is everywhere. It’s on TV, in my classroom, in the stores, and… Read More The Perfect Gift
We are in the final countdown to Christmas. My children are excited and my youngest is practically vibrating. Every morning she starts her day first looking for her elf (ugh the elf). Then, she adds another felt ornament to her Advent Calendar shaped as a Christmas tree. Finally, she adds a piece to her Advent… Read More Faith, Family, and Christmas
Last night I almost cried while sitting on the couch watching my amazing 5-year-old play with her toys. I’ve been really emotional the past week or so, which I think is in part due to not feeling well but also in part because of some unexpected feelings about the upcoming holiday. I’ve been officially divorced… Read More My First Christmas Alone
Dear Santa, Hi! How are you? I am fine. My name is Emily. I am 34 years old. I hope you will find our house. It’s the pretty white one with all the screaming. There are also several rotting pumpkins on the lawn that I kicked off the front steps in an unsuccessful attempt to… Read More A Mom’s Letter to Santa
I realize this will sound flippant, but people who wrap up all their Christmas planning weeks before December 25 really must not have a whole lot of stress in their lives. Christmas is a disruption in my life. It just adds chaos to my already chaotic existence. I walk around dreading it, and at… Read More The Most Stressful Time of the Year!
Have you seen all these adorable photos of elves swimming in mugs of mini-marshmallows or making snow angels on the counter in flour? Have you felt the pressure to bring a little elf home to your kids? Has that voice in your head that tells you aren’t creative enough or don’t have enough energy at… Read More Kindness Elves
Last year after my daughter’s third birthday party my grandmother told me, “You have a real kid’s house. You can tell they have a lot of fun here.” I know she meant this as a compliment so that’s how I took it. She meant that kids are welcomed here, that we are a happy house,… Read More A Kid’s Christmas
I’m one of those people who secretly doesn’t mind when stores start decorating for Christmas right after Halloween. I LOVE Christmas. The reasons are rooted in my childhood, my Faith and are now bursting at the seams with my husband and five children. We start celebrating the day after Thanksgiving when the tree and decorations go… Read More Christmas with my Children: Madness vs. Magic
CT Working Moms 