Conscious parenting is more necessary than ever before. — “How did you learn to play chess?” our club’s instructor asked. His question made me nervous. Hearing my classmates’ stories made me even more anxious about my response because most of them had been playing chess since they were kids and even joined tournaments in middle and high school. I…

There’s tremendous power in striving for open communication. — “Mama,” my 3-year-old, Isaiah whispered from the back seat of the car, “did the teacher call you?” His dad and I had just picked him up from preschool and we were driving home. The conversation with Isaiah in the car wasn’t planned, but it made me appreciate the beauty of…

5 phrases that hinder effective communication with our children. — “As a child, we love the world naturally, and we hope the world loves us back.” I was reminded of this sentiment when I watched the movie, “Amsterdam,” and it prompted me to reminisce about my childhood with nostalgia. The purity of emotion that children possess can be truly humbling. …

Television presents problems for families that we must learn to solve rather than to resent. — Screen time gets a bad rap. Other than politics it may be the next most controversial topic. On one side, some argue that screen time leads to tantrums and negatively affects children’s cognitive development. On the other hand, there are those who believe screens are an enduring part of our…

The best parenting advice I ever received — Childhood memories are either wonderful or suck. Which categories do yours fall in? When I reflect on my childhood, there are both fond and unpleasant ones. So, I agonized over what not to do as a parent. I treated parenting like an exam I had to ace. …

How a failing grade in college math fueled my parenting philosophy — I was sitting in the classroom, totally bracing myself for a bad grade on our first test. But what I ended up with was even worse. Our professor returned the tests, and I snatched mine, prepared for the worst. And yes, it was pretty bad. I looked at the score…

The days after Halloween are always tricky with young kids around. They’re all hyped up, expecting to eat all their candies at once — unless you stash them away. This year, I let my son indulge, and he happily exclaimed, “Thank you, Mama. You make me so happy.” It was…

Don’t overlook the business side of writing — Or you may find it challenging to stay in the game. — Do you remember the first time someone added one of your articles to their reading list? I remember when it happened to me. I immediately thought: “Wow, are my stories really worth saving?” That’s when I realized that my words had significance for at least one person, and it had…

The power of parenthood in our lives. — Every first-time mom has her unique journey through the uncharted territory of nurturing a newborn. Despite the numerous challenges that come with parenting, we continuously adapt, learn, and grow, always prioritizing the well-being of our children. When my son, Isaiah, was born four years ago, I was surprised by how…