So much of parenting entails thwarting.
I must thwart my toddler’s attempts to travel staircases and wade in toilets. I do this with gates, latches, and other inventions meant to keep small children safe and properly frustrated.
I take away the cordless phone, which is often left on a low table. Everyone knows a story [...]

The Children’s Museum struts, waddles, flaps, and soars into the month of March with new theme—All About Animals.
It’s nearly impossible to find a toddler or preschooler who doesn’t appreciate furry and feathery friends. I took my two youngest children to explore some of the animal-themed activities knowing none of us would leave disappointed. One [...]

It was a Monday morning. We were getting ready for another grueling school week. The kids were moaning about the injustice of heavy backpacks and state laws.
I told them I went to school and survived. Put your shoes on, spit-spot.
My oldest son asked how many years I spent in school. I told him 20 years—13 [...]

Families with many children and families with one child have a lot in common. As a mom with many, I feel a special bond with moms of only children.
I understand what it’s like to field deeply personal questions about reproductive habits, fertility, and ethical and spiritual beliefs while waiting for library story time to [...]

“Hey, Sam!” the group of boys yelled at my son as he climbed in our van after school.
He turned, “Yeah?”
One of them asked, “Is that your mom or your daycare?”
“My mom.”
The three boys started laughing. Sam shrugged and climbed into his seat, having no idea why someone would confuse his mother for [...]

It’s with deep shame I admit a failing as a mother:
My 8 and 6-year-old sons are just now learning how to tie shoes. They hadn’t been given the opportunity to learn this life skill until recently.
We went shoe shopping. They immediately gravitated toward the usual vinyl superheroes splayed on the sides. Superheroes on shoes [...]

Poison Control Operator: Poison Control, how may I help you?
Me: Uh, yes…my son just ate part of an old and rather stale gingerbread house…
PCO: How old, ma’am?
Me: Three years…
PCO: The gingerbread house is three years old?
Me: Oh, no. My son is three years old.
PCO: What is the weight?
Me: Just eyeballing it, I’d say [...]

Santa is scary
Beard like albino ferret,
Food court taco breath.
The busy bathroom,
Dancing and anxious they wait
Regretting eggnog.
…
I am next in line
So why do you crowd in front?
You must be special.
My ears just fell off,
Too weary from “Silver Bells”
Played ten dozen times.
Food court carousel
Spins festively fast around,
Unwise location.
Carousel rider
You appear rather greenish!
Next time eat then ride.
Want the [...]

Recently, we visited the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys. The kids were very skeptical because how can a museum about miniatures, dolls, and toys be very cool? Seriously? This is how we are spending our Sunday afternoon? I think they pictured a sterile, roped off environment and not a hands-on and up-close experience. [...]

Sometimes a beloved tradition has roots in sheer necessity. For small children, Thanksgiving Day can be very long.
Adults are flurried with the feast. It’s difficult for kids to find their niche amongst long-lost relatives and the unceremonious sucking noise cranberry makes as it slides out of the can.
We found a way to capture the kids’ [...]