The name of the actual indiscretion isn’t important. She’s done it on purpose, and now she suffers the consequences. She is promptly whisked to the time-out corner against her will, the minutes matching her age punched into the microwave timer.
I take a deep breath.
I unclench.
Consistency is the key, and we’re both

I don’t know if this is a product of age or motherhood…but I have become a stranger to the fine art of sitting still and doing nothing.
It’s been years since I’ve been able to sit through a movie without stopping for some reason.  The dog needs to go out, the dog needs to come in, [...]

A strong sense of self is an essential preparation for the many obstacles our children will face in their lifetimes. It sparks the development of strong leadership skills and the ability to make a positive impact in other’s lives. I want more than anything for my children to feel abundantly loved and confident so that [...]

My domestic prowess has been put into question lately. Even though I will not go anywhere near a sewing machine or ironing board, I excel in the kitchen.
Usually.
Ask Amber How to Burn Noodles
I am glad you asked this question because it is very rare that one is able to accomplish such a feat using [...]

Our family’s last visit to my mother-in-law’s summer cottage ends in a story where one of my children throws the other under a proverbial bus.

I am here to offer advice on traveling with young children. There really is none. There is just survival. I have a three year old and a one year old. Since the three year old was born, we have driven approximately 8500 miles of road trip “fun”, three times cross-country between New York and Colorado, [...]

This week, I am embarking on a multi-state road-trip by myself with two kids.
If you have never been impressed with me, now is your opportunity.
I am already nine hours into it and am currently in Utah where i attended Evo Conference last week. Over the next few days, I will drive to Sandpoint (one of [...]

I’m totally cool with cheating. I am. My friend and I even had this discussion one week prior to THE incident.
Friend: I just get all uncomfortable.
Me: Well, THEY should FEEL all uncomfortable, not you, and if they were good enough in the first place they wouldn’t catch you with someone else. So, let [...]

No, I’m not trying to scare off readers with the title of this article – I just want to be real clear in case my advice doesn’t work out so well and moms everywhere come looking for me, yikes. So, now that you’ve been warned, feel free to read on!
Summertime…these long, lovely days pose ample [...]

This time of year always brings me back to when we were thinking of names for our daughter, Claire. Yes, she was born five-and-a-half years ago…
…at the end of November,
but the end of June and first part of July is when the Linden tree blooms right outside my home office. (photo credit: me)
Wait. What?
You [...]