Parenting

Parents, We’ve gotten some pushback about the preschool graduation calendar, so we just wanted to reach out, explain the schedule, and remind you that we are mandated reporters if we suspect that you don’t love your child enough to sacrifice your careers and livelihoods. Obviously, your child will only graduate…

Dear Aine, I’ve been trying to think about what to say to you, as my 18-year association with the Primary school comes to an end. You’ve played an instrumental part in all of my children’s lives, not just as their teacher, then their Principal, but as someone who has supported…

Why “your parents did the best they could” isn’t always comforting things to hear. — “Being a parent is really hard.” My heart sank as I read my father’s words. We had been estranged for years when I received a handwritten letter from him. Littered amongst the apologies were several justifications for his mistreatment of me. …

Tryouts over pay to play — “Time flies,” my friend Adam from the beach tells me. “Yesterday, my son was in first grade and today he’s a bartender with an engineering degree.” I know how he feels. Five minutes ago my son was playing the position of head daisy picker on his soccer team. …

Will the next generations know better? — Times are changing. More and more adult children are breaking up with their families of origin. A phenomenon that is happening mostly in first-world countries and has been shocking everybody. Everybody except the ones leaving. They know why. And they’ve been saying it for years before they took a final…

…Are Some of My Favorite Things to Write About — I’ve done some stuff that was so poorly thought out it would make Anthony Weiner think twice. In no particular order: I let our teenaged son move into a shed. Hey, hey! Before you judge me too harshly, please know there is a severe shortage of adequate housing in my…

Be yourself — I used to say to my kids all the time, let’s be nice… Perhaps it's not right… I try to be the best mom, and teach my kids that if you are nice and kind, you may receive the same… Until my kids got into early school… A kid was…

Human life and basic dignity are sorely undervalued in the United States — I’m really tired. It’s been over a week since my daughter came home and told my wife that a boy had spit in her face in Spanish class. We are close to having the issue resolved, but I’m exhausted. It has been a week of speculation, my brain has been…

For every single mother, there's an absent father, but the latter is often excused from duty. Before I delve into the topic, let's get a few things straight. First, yes, I do realize that Black Americans aren't the only community that punches down on single moms. …