I guess I’m simple. I want my sons to grow up to be nice people who strive to make this imperfect world better. I try to model, not just talk about, important values. Honesty is among the values I hold most dear. I tell my kids the truth, even when it is hard, because I
Today I was visited by the Ghost of Christmas Recently Past,* who whisked me back to my childfree days to show me what I’ve learned since becoming a mom of kids who are old enough to get excited about the holiday season
We should not spend this time rushing around to complete a checklist someone else created, but instead, finding what brings you, as a unique family unit, joy. Make a list of those things. Check each one off.
I love the Christmas season, do not get me wrong. I love giving gifts, I love Christmas decorations, and I love Christmas music (especially that Mariah Carey album–don’t pretend you don’t). My adoration of the season however, cannot make up for how unbelievably overwhelmed I can become.
Now, I stopped believing in magic years ago. But there, laced throughout the words of her story it lay: Magic. Perhaps it was the beauty of the story or the sincerity with which she told it … maybe it was my hope that my children would someday feel the love that I have for them as they recount a story about their childhood in much the same way … but, whatever the reason, the story breathed new Christmas life into me.
It’s November 16th and I’ve got Christmas presents for my kids and my nieces and (soon-to-be nephew) wrapped and packed to go. I am so not that mom!
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
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
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
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
